Wisconsin running back Chez Mellusi is stepping away from the Badgers program, according to a report from BadgerExtra’s Colten Bartholomew.
Bartholomew notes that the Wisconsin program said in a release that Mellusi is stepping away “to continue rehabbing injuries that prevented him from playing to his expectation.”
Related: A look at Wisconsin football’s updated two-deep depth chart after Chez Mellusi’s departure
Those injuries cost Mellusi significant time in 2021, 2022 and 2023, each of his three seasons with the Badgers. They include a torn ACL (2021), a broken arm (2022), and a broken leg and ankle (2023).
The veteran was able to return to the field with the Badgers in 2024. However, according to the program’s statement to BadgerExtra, Mellusi’s “body hasn’t responded the way he expected.”
Here is the full report:
Wisconsin's backfield will see a big change: Senior RB Chez Mellusi is stepping away from the #Badgers. Here's more: https://t.co/OCGPZISoxU
— Colten Bartholomew (@CBartWSJ) October 3, 2024
Mellusi current leads Wisconsin with 232 rushing yards through four games in 2024. Cade Yacamelli is next with 153 yards, then Tawee Walker with 147.
The Clemson transfer is up to 392 carries, 1,826 yards and 18 touchdowns in his four-year Wisconsin career. Those totals come in just 26 games with each of his seasons being plagued by injury, as mentioned.
This news comes days after Luke Fickell publicly expressed his desire for the Badgers to find a No. 1 lead running back moving through the rest of the 2024 season. The room has been crowded with snaps going to Mellusi, Walker, Yacamelli, and even to true freshman Darrion Dupree.
“We’re going to have to give some guys opportunities early in games and have to ride with them a little bit more,” Fickell said on Monday. “Right now, I don’t think we’re giving those guys enough opportunity to see if they can get hot. See if they can create some things. I think to date, our longest run is 25 [yards]…There’s bigger plays that need to be had at that position.”
This news now leaves Walker to likely lead the backfield, with Yacamelli operating as the primary backup.
Mellusi’s future is uncertain after this news. He could technically redshirt this season after only playing in four games, then return for a seventh collegiate season in 2025.
Wisconsin’s new backfield will get a first shot at finding a new rhythm when 1-3 Purdue visits Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday.
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