The Wisconsin Badgers offense is undergoing a major facelift with the arrival of head coach Luke Fickell and offensive coordinator Phil Longo. What was once a program dedicated to hard-nosed, smashmouth running will now be a more well-rounded modern offense. As such, numerous high-profile transfer portal players have committed to Wisconsin. This has given the Badgers their deepest quarterback room in, well, ever. Additionally, wide receivers have come from all over the country to be a part of this new-look offense.
However, just one Badgers offensive player has been named a top-10 player to watch at his position as scouts, fans, and NFL teams start early preparations for the 2024 NFL Draft: junior running back Braelon Allen.
Wisconsin Badgers Running Back Braelon Allen Named 2nd on Top-10 List for His Position in 2024 NFL Draft
PFF published an article listing the top 10 NFL prospects at each offensive position. Just one Wisconsin Badgers player made any of the lists: Braelon Allen was named second on the top 10 running backs list:
“Allen has no issues with his workload. His 415 carries and 2,500 rushing yards over the last two seasons lead all returning Power Five running backs. Those also happen to be his first two seasons of college football.
“The sophomore’s elusiveness can still improve, as his 22% forced missed tackle rate in 2022 tied for 47th among Power Five backs. He is a true workhorse, though, at 6-foot-2, 235 pounds. He will enjoy seeing lighter boxes this season in new offensive coordinator Phil Longo’s Air-Raid offense. Not to mention, he’ll be 19 years old all of his junior season.”
Is there any surprise that the writer referenced Allen’s age? It seems like his youth is the only thing national talking heads will mention when his name comes up. Yes, Allen is only 19 years old, but he plays like a veteran football player.
As PFF notes, Allen is sure to benefit from lighter boxes this year in Longo’s new system. Having a credible passing game around him will only make him more effective. While he may not get the high number of carries Badgers fans are used to seeing their backs get, the quality looks that he gets will be much higher.
While Allen certainly does not need to enter the 2024 NFL Draft, if he is getting this kind of notoriety this early, he might as go while his stock is so high.
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