Has Wisconsin Badgers RB Braelon Allen played his final game for the team? Gutting through a lower-leg injury, Allen rushed for 165 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries in Wisconsin’s 28-14 victory over Minnesota to reclaim the Paul Bunyan’s Axe for the first time since 2020.
Should Wisconsin Badgers RB Braelon Allen sit out in the team’s bowl game?
When Phil Longo took over as Wisconsin’s offensive coordinator, his air raid scheme was designed so Allen wouldn’t have to carry the bulk of the offense.
Injuries to Chez Mellusi and Tanner Mordecai scrapped those plans, as the team had to rely on Allen to carry a heavier offensive load. Then Allen got hurt against Ohio State, and thus Wisconsin was back where it started offensively.
Through the years, the Wisconsin Badgers have had different style backs, from Ron Dayne, John Clay, and PJ Hill, who ran the ball with brute force and agility, to Montee Ball, Jonathan Taylor, Melvin Gordon, and James White had elite top-end speed.
Allen being a bigger and physical back does not bode well for him because the shelf life on those types of backs is three to five years. With that said Braelon Allen should sit out Wisconsin’s upcoming bowl game.
You’ve seen top college running backs, from Leonard Fournette to Christian McCaffrey, sit out meaningless bowl games for their respective programs. The difference was that both were considered elite running backs in their class, whereas Allen is projected as a day two- day three selection.
Allen also has to consider his injury history, as he’s missed time the past two seasons, and he is risking an injury and a potential NFL Combine invite (if he declares) by playing in the bowl game.
The Wisconsin Badgers don’t have a long history of players sitting out bowl games. Braelon Allen is one of the top talents to come through Wisconsin, and being only 19 years old as a junior, he’s on the long list of decorated Wisconsin Badgers running backs.
Whatever Braelon Allen decides to do, becoming the starting running back mid-way through his Freshman year. (Allen was supposed to be a high school senior, but he reclassified) and stacking together 100-yard performances, Allen exceeded expectations at Wisconsin. Hopefully, he takes another step into his football journey by declaring for the NFL Draft.
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