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Braelon Allen wants to be known as the best running back in college football
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Braelon Allen is looking forward to his junior season at Wisconsin.
But there’s a massive identity shift happening in Madison this fall, with new offensive coordinator Phil Longo installing an Air Raid scheme. Gone might be the days of a Wisconsin running back rumbling more than 20 times a game. At least for the time being. From 2014-19, a Badger back averaged more than 20 carries a game in five of six years. Badger backs have averaged north of 19 carries a game in each of the last two years.
Wisconsin isn’t about to turn down the run game — that would be a misuse of resources given Allen’s ability — but a lighter load has its benefits. And perhaps the box lightens up a bit for Allen.
“I think I’m gonna have my best year regardless of how many people are in the box,” Allen said recently on PFF’s Preferred Walk-On podcast.
Allen has a backfield partner to spell him in Chez Mellusi. Longo’s past would suggest a perfectly balanced one-two backfield punch can exist. And considering both Allen and Mellusi have battled injuries in recent years, head coach Luke Fickell and Co. seem likely to keep an eye on the carries.
“I would love to see (Allen) average at the end of the year 18 carries a game for about 140 (yards),” Fickell said on the Big Ten Network during the league’s media day event. “If that’s the case, we’re going to have the best version of Braelon that we need. If you carry it 30, by the end of the year, it does wear you down. You can be 245 pounds like he is and be as physical as he is, but it still takes a toll. I think we all have to recognize that.”
Allen is hoping to boost his NFL Draft stock. The state of the position in the pros is a little murky right now, but Allen thinks he can prove himself to be the best back in the country in a Longo offense.
What sets him apart?
“I think, for starters, definitely my size. I think one of the bigger backs in the country probably. Just to be my size and be able to break long runs like that is definitely rare. And, obviously, in this offense, I’m going to have to be a lot more versatile, catching passes out of the backfield, pass protecting, all that stuff. I think by the time this next season is over, I’ll be regarded as the best all-around back just due to being a big back and being able to hit the home run, catch the ball out of the backfield, protect the quarterback.
“All these things will just add up and I think I’ll be, like I said, regarded as the best back in the country.”
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.