Paul Chryst responds to questions on dismissal of RB Jalen Berger

This weekend, Wisconsin dismissed redshirt freshman running back Jalen Berger from the program.

Badgers coach Paul Chryst met the media for the first time Monday morning and was asked about that decision. He didn’t seem like he wanted to talk about it, saying he’s focused on playing Army this week.

Paul Chryst declined to discuss what happened with RB Jalen Berger's dismissal. He said he didn't gather the team to inform players about it. We asked several questions about the situation, and he made it clear he was ready to talk about the Army game this week.

— Jesse Temple (@jessetemple) October 11, 2021

Paul Chryst on the dismissal of Jalen Berger. pic.twitter.com/Bjun0c6Md1

— Zach Heilprin (@ZachHeilprin) October 11, 2021

#Badgers coach Paul Chryst asked if, in hindsight, three dismissed TBs were not a good fit at UW. Chryst said it not be fair to be that definitive.

— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) October 11, 2021

Berger is the third tailback to be dismissed from Wisconsin’s program — Antwan Roberts and Loyal Crawford were the other two. He was a highly touted recruit out of high school and showed a lot of promise last season. He ran for 301 yards and 2 touchdowns on 60 carries as a true freshman in 2020. In 3 games this season, Berger ran for 88 yards on 24 attempts and a touchdown.

The Ramsey, NJ native is a former 4-star recruit from the Class of 2020 and was the nation’s 15th-ranked running back in that class, according to 247Sports. He didn’t play in this week’s 24-0 win over Illinois and his dismissal was announced the day after the game.