The Wisconsin football team is starting to get some recognition again around the country as one of the top teams in the country. When that happens, things like appearances on the Jim Rome Show happen. Yesterday, quarterback Graham Mertz was on the show and Jim Rome asked him about freshman running back Braelon Allen.
Mertz had high praise for Allen, specifically his work ethic and his maturity. Things Wisconsin football fans don’t really get to see and something we don’t hear a whole lot about. In the interview, Mertz mentions all of the little things Allen does that doesn’t go unnoticed.
"I think the biggest thing about him is how he approaches everything. He’s definitely mature for his age and not just physically but mentally and just his approach and it shows up on gameday and all throughout the week. Doing the extra little things like a little more treatment, a little more film. He’s asked me a couple extra questions about pass pro and little things like that. I think the biggest thing for him is just being mature on the mental side too. That pays off in the long run. It’s been fun for him to get out there and make some plays."
Allen has been a huge addition to the Wisconsin football team this season. His success has been well-documented this season, including the fact that he has rushed for 100+ yards in six consecutive games, something a freshman back hasn’t done for Wisconsin since Anthony Davis in 2001.
With the injuries and multiple dismissals of players at the position, Allen has gotten a chance to get on the field early and he has more than taken advantage of his chance. With Chez Mellusi sidelined for the rest of the year, Allen will be the guy. Losing Mellusi is definitely a negative impact on this Wisconsin football team, but the way Allen is playing allows the Badgers to continue to run the ball effectively on offense.
He is going to be a bright spot and a point of focus for the Badgers for the next 2-3 years.