The college football season is on the horizon and the Badgers are now 45 days away from their 2023 opener against Buffalo on Sept. 2. Luke Fickell and his coaching staff are on the cusp of their first full season at the helm, but a Wisconsin legend gives the number 45 significant meaning.
Spending the 2010-2013 seasons with the Badgers, running back James White became one of the best at his position in program history. Over his four campaigns, White tallied a total of 4,015 rushing yards and 45 rushing touchdowns while also reeling in 73 catches for 670 yards and three scores.
He appeared in all three of the Badgers’ Rose Bowl losses from 2011-2013, operating alongside Wisconsin’s all-time leading touchdown scorer Montee Ball (84) for White’s first three years in Madison.
White’s 45 rushing TDs rank tied four fourth all-time (Melvin Gordon) and his 4,015 rushing yards are the sixth highest in Wisconsin football history.
The running back was selected in fourth round (130th overall) in the 2014 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots and he spent nine seasons with the team before retiring after the 2021 campaign, winning three Super Bowls in his time there.
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