For Jim Sorgi, waiting has been the hardest part. The past four years, the Wisconsin football team’s offense has been in the hands of Brooks Bollinger, leaving Sorgi on the sidelines waiting. This year, though, things are different. For the first time, Sorgi is entering spring camp as the starting quarterback.
“Oh, it feels totally different, basically taking on a leadership role and being told I’m going into the season as a starter. I’m taking on that leadership role I’ve always wanted to have with Brooks gone,” Sorgi said. “It’s just fun being the guy out there leading the pack.”
Prior to this spring, Sorgi has only been the leader when an injury to Bollinger provided him the opportunity. He first made waves as a freshman in his Wisconsin debut. In the second half of a tie game at Michigan State, a Bollinger concussion allowed his backup the chance to make a name for himself. With under a minute to play, Sorgi completed a 45-yard touchdown pass to Lee Evans that gave the Badgers a 17-10 victory.
Since that game, Sorgi has been the popular choice among fans unhappy with the play of Bollinger.
“When you hear the student section start chanting my name, it’s a great feeling to me, it’s a warm feeling,” Sorgi said. “Those are my classmates; those are the kids my age wanting me in there to play.”
Now that he is the starter, Sorgi looks to maintain his popularity in the stands. “Hopefully when I get in there, they’ll love me even if I start struggling a little bit — but I’ll pick it up — and not be calling for the next quarterback,” he said. “But, if they do, then they do and hopefully I can win them back.”
To do that, he will have to improve his career record of 0-5 as a starter.
“It’s just winning. I’ve won, but I’ve never won as a starter,” Sorgi added.
In order to hold up physically as a starter, Sorgi has been working diligently to add bulk to his wiry frame. Protein shakes, lots of snacks and eating upwards of six meals a day have begun to pay off.
“I came back at 185 after Christmas break and I was up to about 199 or 200 in the last couple weeks,” he said. “Hopefully, I can sustain that weight or maybe lose five pounds during spring ball then gain 15 more before the season. Then I’ll be alright.”
Also important to Sorgi’s health is the play of his offensive linemen.
“It helps having two offensive linemen who have been through it and started two seasons in a row with me in (Dan) Buenning and Jonathan Clinkscale,” Sorgi said. “I have other offensive linemen that I trust, and I have lived with in Morgan Davis and Mike Lorenz and Donovan Raiola, who is a real good friend whom I trust. Just having been out there with those guys and having been through the fire and knowing you can count on them is a huge advantage.”
During his time behind Bollinger, Sorgi believes he has progressed in more ways than just throwing the ball.
“I’d like to think I’ve gotten smarter,” Sorgi commented. “I’ve gotten bigger and I’ve matured a lot, so I’m able to handle situations.”
“He’s always been mature. He’s a great leader and he’s a great person,” said offensive coordinator Brian White. “He’ll give us a chance to win a Big Ten championship.”
And while he may not have been on the football field as much as he would have liked, the soon-to-be senior has made the most of his college years.
“I’m 22 years old, going to be 23 in December before the season is over, so I’ve grown up here,” Sorgi said. “They say college is the years you never forget and the years all of us become men, and it’s something I’ll never forget.”
Now, after one year of redshirting and three more as a backup, the quarterback job is his. Has the wait been worth it?
“Yeah, it’s been worth it,” Sorgi said. “I wish I had one more year after this, but I have one year and I’m going to make good with that one year.”