The Wisconsin Badgers enter the 2024 season with a different look in the running back room. A lot of their success in the past has been through the running game. A season ago, the Badgers had Braelon Allen as their lead running back.
Allen left for the 2024 NFL Draft and was a fourth-round selection by the New York Jets. Braelon Allen last season with the Wisconsin Badgers rushed for 984 yards on 181 carries and 12 touchdowns, along with averaging 5.4 yards per carry. Allen also caught 28 passes for 131 yards receiving and zero touchdowns, along with averaging 4.7 yards per reception.
Senior Running Back Chez Mellusi Will Be the Wisconsin Badgers Starter
A season ago for the Wisconsin Badgers, Mellusi was the backup running back to Braelon Allen. This season, he will be the starting running back for Wisconsin. Mellusi did not have much production during his junior season. He rushed for 307 yards on 51 carries and four touchdowns, along with averaging 6.0 yards per carry.
The first game for the Badgers will be on Friday night against the Western Michigan Broncos. Kickoff for that game will be at 8 p.m. 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. Chez Mellusi will look to be a factor in the passing game for the Badgers this season.
Oklahoma Sooners Transfer Tawee Walker Is the Backup Running Back
Tawee Walker transferred from the Oklahoma Sooners to the Wisconsin Badgers. He will be a senior this season for the Badgers. Walker a season ago with Oklahoma rushed for 513 yards on 102 carries and seven touchdowns, along with averaging 5.0 yards per carry.
Walker also caught 10 passes for 81 yards receiving and zero touchdowns, along with averaging 8.1 yards per reception. It would not be a surprise to see Tawee Walker as the primary running back for the Wisconsin Badgers at some point this season over Chez Mellusi. Wisconsin always uses a running back-by-committee system. They will use many different running backs this season.
There is a chance that the Badgers may not have a rusher go over 1,000 yards again this season. Wisconsin finished with a 7-6 record a season ago. They will need more production out of the offense if they want to win more football games this season.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter (X) @glennkaplan13 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on all things Wisconsin sports, click here
