Tag: running backs

Wisconsin football offers highly-touted class of 2026 running back

Wisconsin football offers highly-touted class of 2026 running back

The Wisconsin Badgers extended an offer to top class of 2026 running back Carsyn Baker on Monday.

Baker, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound playmaker, joins running back Jonathan Hatton Jr. as a top 2026 recruit to receive an offer from Wisconsin this week. Badgers running back coach Devon Spalding appears to have spearheaded Baker’s recruiting effort.

The junior at Langston Hughes High School is considered the No. 329 overall recruit, No. 27 running back and No. 37 player from Georgia for the class of 2026 via the 247Sports composite rankings.

The Fairburn, Georgia product released his top 13 schools on Nov. 3. That list includes Penn State, Ole Miss, Louisville, Ohio State, Miami-FL, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, Texas A&M, Alabama, Auburn, Kentucky, USC and Tennessee.

Even though Wisconsin is not included in the list, it still remains too early to call whether Baker’s list will remain the same. After all, his standing as a junior in high school suggests things could change still over the next two years.

On3’s recruiting prediction machine also deems Baker’s collegiate future as far from finalized. The outlet currently projects South Carolina to land the playmaker with a 33% likelihood. Auburn and Ole Miss come in at No. 2 and No. 3 with over a 16% chance.

Wisconsin’s class of 2026 currently has two commitments — three-star QB Jarin Mock and three-star lineman Benjamin Novak.

Former Wisconsin Badgers assistant becomes Chicago Bears interim offensive coordinator

Former Wisconsin Badgers assistant becomes Chicago Bears interim offensive coordinator

Former Wisconsin running backs coach Thomas Brown was named interim offensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears on Tuesday.

The move arrived shortly after the Bears brass fired former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. The team’s recent three-game losing streak, coupled with lofty expectations surrounding star quarterback Caleb Williams, spurred the release.

With the Chicago Bears at 4-5 on the season, Brown will now manage the offense for the time being.

Brown’s connection to Wisconsin goes back to 2014. Under former Badger head coach Gary Anderson, Brown captained a running back room featuring 2014 Heisman Trophy runner-up Melvin Gordon and future NFL running back Corey Clement.

Backed by over 3,600 rushing yards and 38 rushing touchdowns from Gordon and Clement, Wisconsin rolled to an 11-3 record, Big Ten Championship Game appearance and victory over #19 Auburn in the Outback Bowl.

Following his tenure at UW, Brown spent time as the running backs coach at Georgia (2015), Miami-FL (2016-18) and South Carolina (2019) before making the jump to the NFL level.

There, he served Los Angeles Rams’ running backs coach in 2020 and assistant head coach from 2021-22 before being hired as the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers in ’23.

Brown assumed duties as the Bears’ passing game coordinator in 2024. The former Wisconsin assistant will now take a stab at calling the plays for Williams and company for the foreseeable future.

The Bears are next on the field on Sunday against the Packers.

Wisconsin football offers Oklahoma commit, top class of 2026 running back

Wisconsin football offers Oklahoma commit, top class of 2026 running back

The Wisconsin Badgers extended an offer to top class of 2026 running back Jonathan Hatton Jr. on Monday.

The 6-foot, 205-pound prospect joins quarterback Ryan Hopkins, defensive lineman Josiah Hope and defensive back James Dunnigan Jr as notable recruits from the class of 2026 to receive offers from UW since the beginning of October.

However, the kicker with Hatton Jr. revolves around his collegiate commitment to Oklahoma. The Cibolo, Texas product pledged his commitment to the Sooners on Oct. 3, 2023.

Nonetheless, the decision seems to be far from concrete. Hatton Jr. is a junior at Steele High School and could easily change his mind before the collegiate deadline arrives.

On3’s recruiting prediction machine also deems Hatton Jr.’s choice as far from finalized. The outlet currently projects the Baylor Bears to land the playmaker with over a 35% likelihood. Oklahoma, meanwhile, boasts a 26.3% chance.

Wisconsin now joins an offer sheet that includes programs such as USC, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Tennessee, SMU, Oregon, Ohio State, Alabama and Michigan.

247Sports’ composite ranking currently considers the junior as the No. 57 overall prospect, No. 4 running back and No. 7 recruit from his home state of Texas for the class of 2026. On3, ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports all consider Hatton Jr. a four-star prospect.

Outside the turf, Hatton Jr. is a talented sprinter. The running back posted several sub-11.00 sophomore 100-meter times as a sophomore and was a member of Steele’s Texas 6A Region IV third place-finishing 4×100 relay team.

On the gridiron, Hatton Jr. ran for an impressive 21 touchdowns and over five yards per touch in 2023, per 247Sports’ National Scouting Analyst Gabe Brooks.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes reflects on Kareem Hunt’s game-winning performance: ‘He wants the football’

Kansas City #Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes reflects on Kareem Hunt’s game-winning performance: ‘He wants the football’ | @EdEastonJr

The running game has been essential to the Kansas City Chiefs’ success this season, especially after the addition of running back Kareem Hunt. After his walk-off game-winning performance in Week 9 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Patrick Mahomes praised the veteran running back during his postgame press conference on Monday.

“It’s been fun. It’s been fun to watch, man. I mean, he’s (Kareem Hunt) come in the building – since he’s been here – and he’s just got after it every single day.” said Mahomes. “He works his tail off; he prepares himself for the moment, and then whenever we get down there in like (the) fourth quarter, and (at) the end of games, he’s going to make those runs. Five to six yards (or) seven yards, whatever it is, and he’s going to finish. When you play that hard the entire game, it wears on the defense. I think guys are proud of the way he’s playing and the way he’s come about his business this year.”

Hunt ended the game with 27 carries for 106 yards and the closing score in overtime. The rain and pressure didn’t affect the 29-year-old in his second tenure with the franchise.

“He (Kareem Hunt) wants the football. I think that’s the biggest thing. As the game goes on, it’s like he starts feeling it, and he starts going,” said Mahomes. “There are certain situations where I might have throws on the outside, and I’m like, ‘Man, I’m going to give this guy the football and let him go,’ because when he’s running – even though (it’s) six-yard (or) five-yard carries, they take a toll on the defense.”

Hunt remains the starter while Isiah Pacheco recovers from his fractured fibula, but Mahomes believes the two running backs will work well together.

Wisconsin legend scores touchdown in return from injury

Wisconsin legend scores touchdown in return from injury

Former Wisconsin Badgers and current Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor reached the end zone in his first game in nearly a month on Sunday vs. the Houston Texans.

After being sidelined for three consecutive weeks with a high ankle injury, Taylor suited up for the Colts in the team’s eighth game of the year against division foe Houston at NRG Stadium.

The two-time Doak Walker Award winner took 20 carries for 105 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown in the Colts’ 23-20 loss.

Taylor’s score arrived at the 8:33-minute mark of the fourth quarter. With the ball at Houston’s one-yard line, quarterback Anthony Richardson handed the ball to Taylor. The Badger alumnus lowered his shoulder and powered into the end zone to cut the Texans’ lead to 23-19.

The Colts continued to fumble and punt on their final two possessions, failing to erase the three-point deficit.

Despite Taylor’s extensive injury history, his output this season is on par with what he produced in years prior. In just five games, Taylor has rushed 92 times for 454 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. He has also reeled in seven passes for 89 yards.

Taylor and the Colts will face Minnesota Vikings in their next game of the 2024 season on Sunday, Nov. 3, at 7:20 p.m. CT in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

WATCH: Badgers great Braelon Allen scores third touchdown of rookie season

WATCH: Badgers great Braelon Allen scores third touchdown of rookie season

Former Wisconsin Badgers and current New York Jets running back Braelon Allen reached the end zone for the third time in his young NFL career on Sunday.

The moment arrived with three minutes to spare in the fourth quarter of the Jets’ Week 8 contest against the New England Patriots. Down 17-16 at the Patriots’ two-yard line, Allen received a handoff from four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers and powered through a pile of linemen to push New York ahead 22-17.

Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett would lead New England down the field for a game-winning drive in the game’s final seconds. With the loss, New York fell to 2-6 on the year.

The score marked the first time the former Badger reached the end zone since his two-touchdown output in Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans. After failing to surpass 13 rushing yards over his previous three games, he rushed 12 times for 32 yards in the Jets’ 25-22 loss.

Allen has now rushed 49 times for 187 rushing yards and two rushing scores. He has also reeled in nine catches for 74 receiving yards and one touchdown.

The Jets will be back in action on Thursday, Oct. 31 against the Houston Texans.

Badgers great James White explains Wisconsin’s current win streak

Badgers great James White explains Wisconsin’s current win streak

Wisconsin running back James White offered insight into Wisconsin’s current three-game win streak on Thursday.

White, who made a recent appearance on the ALL CITY Big Ten Podcast, talked about how UW has orchestrated its recent on-field success against Purdue, Rutgers and Northwestern.

The former Badger standout first alluded to Mike Tressel’s defensive unit and Wisconsin’s ability to stop the run.

“They play much better run defense,” White said. “We were getting gashed early on in the year, not playing well in the trenches defensively. Now guys are playing with a little bit more cohesiveness, little bit more effort. That’s been pleasant to see.”

The three-time Super Bowl champion isn’t wrong. UW has allowed just 16 points over its last three games and has stopped opposing running backs from tearing up the defensive front.

While, who finished his career No. 4 all-time at Wisconsin with 4,015 rushing yards, also noted the importance of balancing the pass with the rush in Phil Longo’s air-raid scheme.

“On offense, explosive plays,” White said. “Every single week, you see Badger alumni waiting on the air-raid. In the last few weeks, we’ve gotten some big plays in the passing game, and the run game is coming alive too.”

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While Luke Fickell’s program appears to have discovered a clear identity, its later portion of the schedule offers some true obstacles.

Wisconsin will welcome No. 3 Penn State to Camp Randall on Saturday, three weeks before No. 1 Oregon comes to town for a Nov. 16 clash in Madison. For UW to truly emerge as a college football power, White believes these are the types of games to propel the Badgers forward.

“This will be a great measuring stick game against Penn State to see the improvements we’ve made from facing teams like USC and Alabama. We need to win these type of matchups to go into that next step.”

Wisconsin legend to serve as honorary captain for Badgers vs. Penn State on Saturday

Wisconsin legend to serve as honorary captain for Badgers vs. Penn State on Saturday

Wisconsin running back icon Montee Ball will serve as the Badgers’ honorary captain vs. Penn State on Saturday.

Ball, who was inducted into the UW Athletic Hall of Fame in 2023, will return to Madison for Wisconsin’s most significant contest at Camp Randall in years.

The 2013 NFL draftee departed Wisconsin as one of the most accomplished athletes in school history. Ball finished fourth in the 2011 Heisman Trophy voting behind Baylor QB Robert Griffin III, Stanford QB Andrew Luck and Alabama RB Trent Richardson. When he left campus, he also set the NCAA record for career touchdowns with 83.

Ball also pocketed two consensus first-team All-American honors, a pair of first-team All-Big Ten selections in 2011 and 2012, the 2011 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and the Doak Walker Award as a senior in 2012.

Wisconsin honored another running back legend, Ron Dayne, with a halftime ceremony against the Crimson Tide on Sept. 14.

In its storied history, UW has produced a collection of the greatest college running backs of all time. Dayne, Ball, Jonathan Taylor, Melvin Gordon, James White, Braelon Allen and Corey Clement are among the most notable playmakers to come through the Bdagers’ running back room over the past 30 years.

Chiefs RB Kareem Hunt receives praise from coaches: ‘Comfortable with him carrying the ball’

Kansas City #Chiefs RB Kareem Hunt receives praise from coaches: ‘Comfortable with him carrying the ball’ | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid spoke to the media on Monday for his first Zoom press conference since the bye week. He expressed his appreciation for the immediate impact of Kareem Hunt’s return to the Chiefs offense.

“I mentioned before that he (Kareem Hunt) came back in pretty good shape other than not having played football, and that’s held true to this point. He’s been able to do a good job in practice when he was on the scout team,” said Reid. “Then, he worked through that (and) he was able to get in the game. We started him off relatively slow and then increased it, and he was able to handle both of those things. We’ll just see how the game goes, but I feel comfortable with him carrying the ball. We had (Carson) Steele backing him up there (and) he had a few carries that were productive, so we’re in pretty good shape there.”

Hunt gave the team an impressive performance in the Week 5 victory over the New Orleans Saints. The 29-year-old carried the ball 27 times in his first start of the season, tallying 102 yards; Reid mentioned the possibility of a returning Clyde Edwards-Helaire this week to help with a share of the workload.

“He’ll (Clyde Edwards-Helaire) be back in tomorrow. We’ll be able to talk to him then,” said Reid. “I haven’t had the chance to talk to him here, so I want to just get with him first before I put anything out there publicly. We’re awful glad to have him here.”

Edwards-Helaire hasn’t played this season as he continues to deal with PTSD, and the Chiefs are remaining patient and more focused on his mental health above everything else.

Wisconsin running back joins elite company in 42-7 victory over Rutgers

Wisconsin running back joins elite company in 42-7 victory over Rutgers

Wisconsin running back Tawee Walker joined some elite Badger company following his monster performance against Rutgers on Saturday.

After rushing for three touchdowns vs. the Scarlet Knights in New Jersey, Walker joined Melvin Gordon and Jonathan Taylor as the third UW running back to record three straight multi-touchdown games since 2014.

Alongside his three rushing scores, Walker registered 198 rushing yards and three receiving yards on 25 total touches.

In Week 6 against the Purdue Boilermakers, the senior back accounted for three more scores and 94 rushing yards off 19 carries. A week prior, the former Oklahoma Sooner burst onto the scene for the Badgers with 55 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.

Walker’s emergence arrives at the perfect time for offensive coordinator Phil Longo. Since news broke that Chez Mellusi would be leaving the program, Walker has become Wisconsin’s most reliable rushing threat.

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The company Walker joins is no joke. Taylor, now a star in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts, pocketed a pair of Doak Walker Awards with the Badgers during his collegiate tenure. Gordon, meanwhile, was the 2014 Heisman runner-up and set the FBS record for career rushing average with 7.79 yards per carry when he left Madison.

Through five appearances, Walker has rushed for 439 yards, nine touchdowns and 87.8 yards per game. His next opportunity to reach the end zone will be on Oct. 19 against Northwestern on the road.