Wisconsin Football: X-factors in each position group

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 02: Chris James #5 of the Wisconsin Badgers reaches for a touchdown against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 02: Chris James #5 of the Wisconsin Badgers reaches for a touchdown against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 7
Next
Wisconsin Football
LINCOLN, NE – OCTOBER 07: Quarterback Alex Hornibrook (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /

Chris James

Wisconsin knows what it’s going to get from Jonathan Taylor. Even if he comes up short on last year’s dominant performance he can still have a great year. The problem in the running back group is behind Taylor where the Badgers are uncertain who can spell the Heisman hopeful.

When Chris James transferred in from Pitt he was thought to be the perfect compliment to whoever he would be running alongside. Only because of other backs on the roster was James even seen as a committee member. Before he ever took a snap at Wisconsin he was expected to be a major contributor.

Heading into his senior season James has not lived up to the expectations of him to this point, but he’ll get the nod as one of the most experienced backs on the roster to take secondary snaps to Taylor.

Last year the second leading rusher only had 365 yards. Part of the reason that second number was so low was that Taylor’s rushing total was so high, but in order to keep Taylor fresh down the stretch, he’s going to need help from his backfield mates. James is best suited to take on that role as an upperclassman and will hopefully be a receiving threat out of the backfield.