Former Wisconsin Badgers and current San Francisco 49ers running back Isaac Guerendo announced his arrival in the NFL on Thursday night.
The fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft took 10 carries for 99 yards in the 49ers’ 29-24 win over the Seattle Seahawks. His final touch was that arrival moment: a 76-yard breakaway run that sealed the 49ers narrow victory.
Related: Every former Wisconsin Badger on an NFL 53-man roster entering 2024 ranked by career earnings
San Francisco was beginning a drive on its own 19-yard-line up 29-24 with 1:39 remaining in the game. Seattle still had all three timeouts, so the 49ers needed to pick up a first down to ice the game.
Guerendo did just that, and then some. He took the ball all the way inside the Seahawks’ 5-yard-line before sliding down and ensuring a victory — a veteran move from a first-year player.
Here’s the full sequence:
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1844577927318602184
Guerendo joined the 49ers as the No. 129 overall pick in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft. He’s seldom played to date — totaling just 12 carries for 41 yards in the first five games of the season.
Thursday Night was his career-high in carries, yards and yards per carry. That volume could continue into the future with star RB Christian McCaffrey still out indefinitely. The former Badger will continue to battle with Jordan Mason for those snaps in McCaffrey’s absence. Mason took nine carries for 73 yards against the Seahawks and has generally impressed thus far this season.
Guerendo is finding his role at the NFL level after playing for five years at Wisconsin (2018-2022) and one at Louisville (2023). 2023 with the Cardinals was his best collegiate season — 132 carries, 810 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns, 22 receptions and 234 receiving yards.
He never was able to hit his stride with the Badgers. Injuries played a big role, as did the presence of program great running back Braelon Allen.
That hasn’t hindered the talented running back to begin his NFL career. That 76-yard run could be a jumping off point as the 49ers continue to look for an answer at the position.
Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.