ESPN Names Former Badger Braelon Allen 'Surprise' of 2024 Camps

After an illustrious college career, Braelon Allen is already turning heads before he's played a professional game. ESPN listed their top surprises of the 2024 minicamps and the New York Jets' selection was the former Badger.

Rich Cimini of ESPN explained how it wasn't the fourth round pick's powerful rushing that has been garnering attention, but rather his pass catching ability.

Allen, a 2024 fourth-round pick, wasn't known for his receiving in college -- only 49 catches in three seasons at Wisconsin -- but he demonstrated plenty of ability in OTAs and minicamp. He showed excellent ball skills and terrific body control. He's 235 pounds, yet he was able to split out and play like a smaller back. "If you go back and watch his tape at Wisconsin, he caught the ball well," Jets running backs coach Tony Dews said. Allen has a chance to be Breece Hall's primary backup.

Allen is a well-known power back, but if he can a receiving element to his game at the pro-level, there's no limit to his ceiling. Outside of James White, Badgers running backs have never really been elite receivers, so it's a positive sign that Allen is already proving his versatility. He's slotted behind Breece Hall on the Jets, but that doesn't mean he can't showcase starting ability for other teams.