Madison eyes a new passing look after Will Randall’s departure to Ashland

MADISON, Ohio, is entering a new quarterback phase after quarterback Will Randall’s move to the college ranks. Randall, who helped reshape the way Madison attacked offensively, will continue both his academic and football career at Ashland University this fall, leaving the program searching for the next quarterback to run its offense.

Over the past couple of seasons, Madison’s identity has been built around physical, ground-based football. But in 2025, the offense leaned more into the passing game behind Randall’s arm, a shift that underlined his role as the engine of the team’s aerial attack. According to the report, Randall threw for more than 1,700 yards and 18 touchdowns during the 2025 season, giving Madison a clearer pathway to stretch defenses vertically.

Now, as Madison turns the page from Randall’s production, the focus is on breaking in a new quarterback this season. The report frames it as the central question for Madison’s offense, particularly after a year when passing attempts and efficiency likely played an outsized role in how the offense scored. Replacing a starting quarterback is rarely just a matter of swapping out personnel; it typically changes timing, protections, and the pace at which a play caller can get the offense into its best looks.

Randall’s next step also matters for how Madison will be evaluated this year. A move to a Division II program like Ashland University indicates that his development reached a level where college coaches were willing to invest in his potential. For Madison, it is a recruiting and development marker, but for the short-term outlook, it means the current roster must accelerate the learning curve for its new quarterback.

What happens next will depend on how quickly Madison’s new quarterback can replicate the core functions Randall provided. Those include reading defenses, delivering accurate throws in rhythm, and converting opportunities into scoring drives. If the new quarterback can sustain the passing game at a similar threat level, Madison’s run-heavy roots may become even more difficult to defend, because opponents cannot stack the box without paying a price through the air.

The biggest watch items for Madison in the coming games are continuity and play design. Madison will need to balance giving the new starter manageable throws with the offensive identity that fits its personnel. If the offensive staff can preserve the big-play element of its passing attack while keeping the ground game effective, Madison can avoid a steep production dip during the transition period.