The Wisconsin Badgers are no strangers to a stable full of top-end running backs. There was a time when Montee Ball, Melvin Gordon, and James White were all delivering blows out of the same backfield. 2026 has the makings of being another deep RB room, especially after adding top-rated JUCO running back Julius Pope, a former 4-star recruit who started his career at Arkansas but spent last season in a community college.
The Badgers added three backs via the transfer portal and two via the recruiting trail (counting Pope). There are also two who return from last season who had chances to start out of the backfield in 2025.
First, let's get familiar with the room before we project the depth chart for the RB room.
3 Transfer Running Backs
Abu Sama III (from Iowa State) - Sama has been one of the featured backs for the Cyclones for three straight years. In 2025, he carried 140 times for 732 yards and five touchdowns. He wasn't used as much out of the backfield in the passing game, but he did have five receptions for 19 yards.
Nate Palmer (from TCU) - Palmer had plenty of action for the Horned Frogs, touting the rock 30 times for 139 yards last season. While he wasn't one of the featured backs, he had plenty of action and showed he has some juice. He finished the season with 4.6 yards per carry.
Bryan Jackson II (from USC) - Jackson had the exact same amount of carries in his freshman year for the Trojans as his sophomore year: 36 carries. He had 188 yards as a freshman and 123 as a sophomore. Though his sophomore year he had four touchdowns to only one his freshman year.
2 Incoming Running Backs
Qwantavius "Fatboy" Wiggins - Wiggins was a consensus 3-star back out of Georgia. Even though his name is "Fatboy," he's got burst and looks like he could be a player that finds his way into a rotation of backs.
Julius Pope - Pope was targeted and identified by the Badgers as being someone who could help this team right away. He was considered a 4-star linebacker and running back recruit in high school. One of the top players in his class. There's some belief that he could be part of the rotation this very year, but he also has three to go.
2 Returning Running Backs
It should be noted that there are other returners, but these two are the scholarship backs. The ones that had chances of being the lead back last season at various points.
Gideon Ituka - Ituka was the main back for both the Oregon and Washington games after injuries to Dilin Jones and Darrion Dupree. He totaled 21 carries for 85 yards against the Ducks and 19 carries for 73 yards against Washington. He totaled 60 carries for 255 yards last season. He's only a sophomore.
Darrion Dupree - Dupree got the chance to start before Ituka and was the second back behind Jones. Dupree has a lot to offer a running back room. He had 83 carries for 363 yards last season. He has a bit of a change of pace style back and could still find that role next year.
Projected Depth Chart - RB
Abu Sama III - Starter
Darrion Dupree - Co-Starter (Receiving threat)
Julius Pope - Backup
Bryan Jackson II - Backup 2
Developmental Options:
Gideon Ituka
Nate Palmer
Redshirt:
Qwantavius Wiggins
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