Reports: Is Wisconsin’s Running Back Group Undervalued Ahead of the 2024 Football Season?
The Wisconsin Badgers are heading into the 2024 football season with more uncertainties than certainties looming over the team’s prospects.
Among the prominent questions is whether Phil Longo’s air raid offense will find its rhythm in its second year, the impact that veteran transfer quarterback Tyler Van Dyke will bring to the team, and how effective Mike Tressel’s defense will be following an offseason marked by significant player transfers. Equally significant is the challenge posed by a demanding schedule that awaits the Badgers.
Central to discussions about Wisconsin’s upcoming season is the departure of star running back Braelon Allen, whose absence is expected to adversely affect the team’s rushing game. Allen, a name well-recognized across the nation, delivered a solid performance in 2023 with 984 yards and 12 touchdowns on 181 carries. Despite his prominence, some observers argue that his production last season did not entirely live up to his earlier breakout year in 2021.
Discussions consistently highlight the loss of a standout player like Allen, but they often overlook the potential contributions of returning players such as super-senior Chez Mellusi and Oklahoma transfer Tawee Walker. Projections suggest that Mellusi and Walker could collectively outperform Allen and his 2023 counterpart Jackson Acker, who combined for 1,306 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns. This forecast positions the current running back duo as an upgrade over the previous season’s performance.
Chez Mellusi, returning for his final collegiate season after recovering from a season-ending injury suffered in 2023, has demonstrated remarkable productivity throughout his career, averaging 5.0 yards per carry overall and an impressive 6.0 yards per carry before his injury last season. However, lingering concerns persist regarding his health, which inevitably shapes discussions about his potential impact alongside Walker.
Walker, who joined Wisconsin from Oklahoma during the offseason, saw his role expand significantly in 2023 with the Sooners, concluding the season with 102 carries for 513 yards and 7 touchdowns. While not individually considered among the top-tier Big Ten running backs, the combination of Mellusi and Walker presents a formidable partnership that could prove highly productive this upcoming season.
Despite these promising prospects, preseason rankings by prominent analyst Phil Steele place Wisconsin’s running back corps sixth in the Big Ten, with Ohio State, led by TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, occupying the top spot, followed by Penn State with Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. Minnesota, Oregon, and Michigan are also ranked ahead of Wisconsin in Steele’s assessments.
Nevertheless, there is optimism that, assuming good health, Wisconsin’s running back duo has the potential not only to surpass the team’s rushing output from 2023 but also to potentially rise to the third position in the Big Ten rankings. This optimism underscores the belief that Wisconsin’s running back tandem is currently undervalued and underestimated as the team prepares for the upcoming season, possibly representing an upgrade over last year’s group.
While uncertainties abound regarding Wisconsin’s overall performance in the 2024 season, particularly with key changes and challenges across various facets of the team, the potential of the Badgers’ running back duo stands out as a source of optimism and potential improvement over previous seasons.