The Wisconsin Badgers enter the 2024 season with a different look in the running back room. Much of their success in the past has come from the running game. A season ago, the Badgers had Braelon Allen as their primary running back.
Allen went undrafted for the 2024 NFL Draft and was selected in the fourth round by the New York Jets. Braelon Allen rushed for 984 yards on 181 attempts and 12 touchdowns last season with the Wisconsin Badgers and averaged 5.4 yards per attempt. Allen also caught 28 passes for 131 yards and zero touchdowns and averaged 4.7 yards per attempt.
Senior quarterback Chez Mellusi to be Wisconsin Badgers starter
A season ago with the Wisconsin Badgers, Mellusi was Braelon Allen’s backup running back. This season, he’ll be Wisconsin’s starting running back. Mellusi didn’t have much to offer in his junior season. He rushed for 307 yards on 51 attempts and scored four touchdowns while averaging 6.0 yards per attempt.
The Badgers’ first game will be Friday night against the Western Michigan Broncos, with the game starting at 8:00 PM CT at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. The game will be televised on FS1.
Junior Jackson Acker had more rushing yards for the Badgers last season with 322 yards on 72 carries and two touchdowns. Acker also averaged 4.5 yards per carry. In Mellusia will look to be a major factor in the Badgers passing game this season.
Oklahoma Sooners transfer Tawee Walker is a backup quarterback
Tawee Walker transferred from the Oklahoma Sooners to the Wisconsin Badgers. He will be a senior with the Badgers this season. Walker rushed for 513 yards on 102 attempts and seven touchdowns last season with Oklahoma and averaged 5.0 yards per attempt.
Walker also caught 10 passes for 81 yards and zero touchdowns, and averaged 8.1 yards per reception. It wouldn’t be surprising if Tawee Walker became the Wisconsin Badgers’ primary running back at some point this season instead of Chez Mellusi. Wisconsin has always used a running back-by-committee system. They’ll exploit a variety of running backs this season.
There is a chance the Badgers will not have a 1,000-yard rusher this season. Wisconsin finished 7-6 last season. They will need more production on offense if they want to win more football games this season.
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