This time on Badger of Honor’s elements of Wisconsin running back depth mini series, we take a closer look at transfer running back Chris James.
Chris James got a lot of hype before the 2017 season. James had waited a full year after transferring from Pitt in 2016 to get the chance to lead the Badger backfield.
Everything seemed to have fallen in place. Corey Clement had graduated and left for the NFL, leaving the top spot up for grabs. On top of that, James had been recruited by Coach Chryst at Pitt, so it seemed that he had some favor from the head coach.
As we all know, a newcomer came in and blew everyone away on the depth chart. But we will talk about Jonathan Taylor later.
Recruiting
Chris James was a three star prospect out of Illinois and the 39th running back in the nation. He was highly sought after, obtaining 17 offers. This included offers from in-state Illinois, Michigan State, Ohio State, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.
In the end, James chose to go to Pitt. Wisconsin was in the mix, but it took a few years before the Badgers would have the benefit of having him on the roster.
Pitt Beginnings
James started his freshman year at Pitt (2014) with a solid performance, rushing for 437 yards and four touchdowns. He had a very good 5.0 yards per carry. However his sophomore year was disappointing, only rushing for 253 yards and failing to find the endzone. This came as no surprise though, since Chryst had left after James’ freshman year to coach the Badgers. The new coaching staff decided to use different running backs, leaving James unused.
This was probably the biggest reason that James decided to transfer after his sophomore season. After sitting out 2016, James was reunited with his coach and was set to take over.
Must Read: Throwback Thursday Tribute: James White
Coming to Wisconsin
In 2017, James rushed for 233 yards and one touchdown. His best game was against FAU, where he rushed 16 times for 101 yards. His one touchdown this season also was very memorable, but probably for different reasons than you think :
Overall James had a quiet year; a year in which many thought he’d be the next in line for Badger running back greatness. Even though he wasn’t the top back, James is a solid player with plenty of experience.
Looking Forward to 2018
James may not beat out Jonathan Taylor, but he can be a leader in the locker room and on the field for the young Badger backfield. Going into his Senior year, James has the chance to make a huge difference and will probably slot at second on the depth chart.
Next: Top 10 Wisconsin Badgers in the NFL
Prediction: 70 attempts, 350 yards, three touchdowns.