MADISON, Wis. — It was one of the biggest questions heading into fall camp for the Wisconsin Badgers. In a room of talented running backs, who would emerge as the No. 1?
That question has partially been answered. UW released its depth chart this Monday, and Clemson transfer Chez Mellusi was listed as the starter ahead of redshirt freshman Jalen Berger, the presumed starter throughout the offseason.
“I think he’s been really consistent,” coach Paul Chryst told reporters. “That, I think, means a lot.”
While Mellusi’s listed as the No. 1 running back, that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be getting the overwhelming majority of snaps. Chryst alluded to the fact that the Badgers have multiple running backs ready to contribute. Running backs coach Gary Brown said earlier this summer that he would like to have a lead tailback but didn’t rule out a by-committee approach.
“I think we have to have a number of backs play and play well,” Chryst said. “I think as we went into camp, there were a lot of questions at that position. Each one of them has taken positive strides.
Chryst added later, “…I think that’s (the rotation) part of the story that isn’t answered yet. To sit there and say, ‘This is going to happen,’ I don’t know if we’re there yet.”
Last season, Berger led the Badgers in rushing yards (301) and yards per carry (5.0) in four games. He had two touchdowns, one each against Michigan and Wake Forest, and his highest yardage total came against Northwestern (93 yards). He had exactly 15 carries in each of his appearances.
“With Jalen, he’s still young and it’s been good to see him continue to grow,” Chryst said.
Isaac Guerendo also figures to contribute. He’s played in only 11 games and has 12 career carries for 37 yards. A hamstring bug has more than disrupted the fourth-year sophomore. It got him in fall camp in 2019 and forced him to miss the first half of the season. It got him again this past season and limited him to one game. It bit him in spring practice, too, keeping him away from team drills.
He went through full fall camp without any issues, though, and that’s a source of optimism for him and the coaching staff.
“It’s been great having Isaac going,” Chryst said. “I think with him being able to practice every day, and that wasn’t always the case, you build some confidence.”
Mellusi is the most experienced running back on UW’s roster. He’s played in 21 games, and nobody else has appeared in more than 11. Over two seasons with the Tigers, Mellusi ran for 427 yards and six touchdowns. He also caught five passes for 38 yards and a score. He had multiple reasons behind his decision to transfer to Wisconsin. The opportunity to have a larger role was one of them. He sat behind a two-time All-American at Clemson in Travis Etienne, who the Jacksonville Jaguars selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Mellusi will have that opportunity this season, no matter how the rotation ultimately works.
“I think Chez has been the most consistent at that position,” Chryst said. “That’s been good for this team.”
