Remember during Big Ten media day a few weeks ago when Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst discussed a moment during a preseason scrimmage in 2017 when he, and the rest of the program, saw a glimpse of what true freshman Jonathan Taylor had the potential to be?
If not, here’s a refresher:
They are in @JayT23's new home.
It only made sense for @BTNDaveRevsine and crew to reminisce with Paul Chryst about the RB's memorable breakout scrimmage.
Full @BadgerFootball #B1GMediaDays interviews ➡️ https://t.co/vt09WbhASO pic.twitter.com/7IFVXlZuyJ
— Wisconsin On BTN (@WisconsinOnBTN) July 24, 2021
Taylor went through much of that 2017 camp as the fourth-string running back behind Bradrick Shaw, Chris James and Taiwan Deal. For a three-star recruit and the No. 24-ranked running back in his class, it was a position that made some sense.
But then this happened:
Jonathan Taylor’s first play vs. the 1s at Wisconsin to start his first scrimmage as a true freshman.
( 🎥 from my old teammate @JeffDuck15) pic.twitter.com/4hIOFfPUCq
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) August 19, 2021
As Bucky’s Fifth Quarter’s Owen Riese points out, Wisconsin linebackers T.J. Edwards and Leon Jacobs mentioned later that either the defense was going to struggle that season, or Taylor was about to be special.
Well, the defense was one of the best in the country that season, leading the Badgers to a 13-1 record and an Orange Bowl victory over Miami. And, as we all know, Taylor was a force from the first night he touched the field in Camp Randall Stadium.
I’ve watched this like 45 times tonight.
How the hell was JT this good that quick pic.twitter.com/SHVhcUdntS
— Ben Kenney (@benzkenney) August 20, 2021
I still don’t understand how he was so unbelievably good that quickly.
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