Former Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen has chimed in on the news that veteran running back Chez Mellusi is leaving the Badgers program.
The reporting notes that Mellusi left ‘to continue rehabbing injuries that prevented him from playing to his expectation.’ The veteran recently returned from a broken leg and ankle suffered early in the 2023 season. It was his third significant injury in as many seasons with the program.
Related: Takeaways from Wisconsin’s blowout victory over Purdue
Mellusi departs after leading Badgers in rush attempts (56), rushing yards (232) and touchdowns (3) through the first four games of the season.
Most of the dialogue surrounding Mellusi’s departure was overwhelmingly positive. Most fans were appreciative of the running back’s efforts, determination and overall contribution to the program.
As can be the case, however, some sentiments skewed in the opposite direction.
That’s where Allen enters the conversation. He responded to a post on X that tried to spin Mellusi’s departure into a positive for the program, calling it a ‘blessing in disguise.’ His response: a thumbs-down emoji.
👎🏾
— Braelon Allen (@BraelonAllen) October 4, 2024
The conversation on X continued as Allen was then asked to elaborate on a recent cryptic tweet surrounding his experience with the program in 2023. He responded with the following post:
I ain’t tryna trash anybody 😂 I love Wisconsin and everything about it. But I also have strong feelings about the way things were done and how people were treated and how nobody needed to be held accountable besides the players 🤷🏾♂️
— Braelon Allen (@BraelonAllen) October 4, 2024
“I love Wisconsin and everything about it,” Allen wrote. “But I also have strong feelings about the way things were done and how people were treated and how nobody needed to be held accountable besides the players.”
The conversation never entered specifics. But it continued an overall air of mystery surrounding Allen’s thoughts on the state of the program, or at least his thoughts on ‘the way things were done and how people were treated.’
Allen and Mellusi shared the backfield from 2021-23. The two were a formidable 1-2 punch when Mellusi was healthy. Their best collective season came back in 2021 when Allen, as a 17-year-old true freshman, rushed for 1,268 yards and 12 touchdowns, while Mellusi added 815 yards and five touchdowns in nine games of action.
The two importantly elected to remain with the program after the hire of Luke Fickell in November 2022. Their collective leadership presence was important as Fickell worked to bridge the gap from the prior regime.
Right now, Mellusi’s departure leaves Tawee Walker as Wisconsin’s likely leader in the backfield entering the rest of the season. Darrion Dupree was the primary backup during the team’s dominant win over Purdue, with Cade Yacamelli also figuring into the mix.
But the current implications take an occasional backseat to stories like this one. Allen continues to hint at more extensive thoughts on the state of the program, but he is still yet to share any specifics.
One of his specific thoughts is clear: Mellusi’s departure is not ‘a blessing in disguise’ for the Wisconsin football program.
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