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Wisconsin has ranked among the teams in the discussion for the moniker Running Back U ever since Barry Alvarez developed the Badgers’ blueprint. He emphasized power running, and more than 2 decades later, Wisconsin maintains that philosophy under head coach Paul Chryst.
Elite offensive line talent has set the stage, allowing stars such as Ron Dayne, Montee Ball, Melvin Gordon, Jonathan Taylor and others to earn a national spotlight. It remains to be seen whether the Badgers have any backs of that caliber heading in to 2021, but there is plenty of promise in the running back room.
The group will have a new leader, as ex-NFL position coach Gary Brown takes over for John Settle, who left for Kentucky. Brown coached the Dallas Cowboys’ backs from 2013-19.
So who can be the next star running back at Wisconsin? It’s tough to tell at this point, but here’s a look at some of the potential candidates.
Most likely candidates
Last year, true freshman Jalen Berger jumped at least 3 teammates — Garrett Groshek, Nakia Watson and Isaac Guerendo — on the depth chart, and he did so rather quickly. So Berger is the best bet to lead the team in carries this year. Still, he has only 4 games of college experience and has never carried the ball more than 15 times in a game. Berger led the team in rushing last season with 301 yards on 60 carries.
Wisconsin fortified the group via the transfer portal, getting Chez Mellusi from Clemson. In 2 years with the Tigers, Mellusi averaged 6.0 yards on 71 carries as a reserve. Expect him to compete with Berger for top-back status.
Can they stay healthy?
Two other potential difference makers at running back are Guerendo and Julius Davis, but neither has been able to stay healthy.
Guerendo is a converted wide receiver and among the fastest players on the team, but he has appeared in just 4 games with 12 carries the past 2 seasons. Meanwhile, Davis also dealt with injuries and was buried on the depth chart last season. Despite just 1 career carry, Davis may get a fresh crack at the rotation under Brown.
Wisconsin struggled to find healthy bodies at the position during the spring — Berger, Guerendo and Davis were all rehabbing injuries — and was forced to use fullbacks and even wide receiver Jack Dunn in the backfield. But the depth looks much better now, with the season-opener just 2 weeks away.
Big freshman class
Wisconsin has four incoming freshmen backs, including Braelon Allen, a dynamic 17-year-old athlete originally recruited to play defense.
A popular talking point among the fan base was whether Allen would be a better fit at safety or linebacker. Allen is a physical freak, 238 pounds of muscle fresh out of high school. The position change makes me think he will make some sort of impact in Year 1.
As for the other three true freshman backs — Antwan Roberts, Loyal Crawford and Jackson Acker — we do not know a whole lot about them.
Someone will emerge
What we do know, is that Wisconsin again has a deep and talented offensive line to go along with a great scheme and great tradition. So someone should emerge over a full (we hope) season as Berger did in last year’s abbreviated one.
It could be Berger again, but if he falters, Brown has a large group of hungry Badgers eager to prove themselves.
Erik Buchinger brings his vast experience covering Wisconsin and B1G football to Saturday Tradition. Follow him on Twitter @DeceptiveSpeed.