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Wisconsin Football: Running back position preview

By Christian Borman

Nov 14, 2020; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Jalen Berger (8) rushes in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2020; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Jalen Berger (8) rushes in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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When you think of Wisconsin football, I guarantee one of the first things you think of is running backs. Wisconsin is considered by many to be Running Back University (RBU). They year-in-an-year-out produce some of the top rushers in the NCAA.

Last year, however, was a little different. After Jonathan Taylor left for the NFL, the Badgers seemed to be in no man’s land for a bit. Garrett Groshek, who was previously the third-down back, took most of the carries for the Badgers. Nakia Watson was also expected to see his share of carries as well.

Unfortunately, the Badgers’ running game struggled as they looked for their bell cow back. Freshmen running back Jalen Berger earned some carries and really took advantage of them; enough to be noticed around the country and be considered RB1 for the Badgers going into the 2021 season.

So while the top running back may be seemingly decided, what’s behind him? That’s where things get a little murky.

Running back will be the second position we focus on in our position preview series.

Project depth chart

Running back

  1. Jalen Berger – So.
  2.  Isaac Guerendo – Jr.
  3. Julius Davis – So., Brady Schipper – Jr.
  4. Jackson Acker – Fr., Loyal Crawford – Fr., Antwan Roberts – Fr.

Fullback

  1. John Chenal
  2. Quan Esterling

With Groshek (NFL Draft/graduation) and Watson (transfer) leaving, the Wisconsin football team is left with a lot of inexperience at the position. Berger will be the number one back to start the season, but who is after he could shuffle throughout their preseason camp.

Isaac Gueruendo is the speedster who saw some time last season. He appeared in two games, rushing 11 times for 36 yards. I think the Badgers are going to depend on him as a change of pace back for the offense. I could see Chryst sneaking him in on some jet sweeps and gadget plays as well.

Julius Davis is an in-state kid that a lot of people were excited to get. He had offers from teams like LSU and Notre Dame but decided to stay home. The only problem is, he’s having a hard time getting on the field. Some of that has been injury-related, but I think a lot of fans were hoping he’d break out and be more of a contributor after Jonathan Taylor left. With Groshek and Watson gone, Davis may finally get to break through a little bit and show what he can do with some more carries.

Brady Schipper fits with that typical third-down back role, similar to Groshek while JT was here. I could see him coming in as a threat in the passing game on third downs who could do some damage with some screens. In his two years in the Wisconsin football program, Schipper has 12 carries for 30 yards.

The next three are all incoming true freshmen. Because they are freshmen and buried on the depth chart, I think all of these guys will struggle to find the field. If I had to pick a player who is most likely to see the field this season, it would probably be Jackson Acker. He’s been popping up in prep news around Wisconsin for what he is accomplishing in his senior track and field season.

Wisconsin’s backfield may take a bit before it is cooking again. They are a younger group and have a new running back coach, Gary Brown, who has been a big presence on Twitter since taking the job. There’s plenty of reason for optimism with this group, but it still might be the weakest link on offense in 2021.