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The biggest transfer news of the Wisconsin Badgers’ offseason came in two parts: first, the departure of quarterback Jack Coan and second, the addition of former Clemson running back Chez Mellusi.
Coan moving on made a lot of sense, as the former starter missed the entire 2020 season with a foot injury and wouldn’t have started under center in favor of Graham Mertz in 2021.
But the Mellusi addition is significant. Freshman running back Jalen Berger did not carry the ball more than 15 times in a game last season and is still developing as a running back.
Adding the former Clemson back and former four-star recruit to the mix both adds talent to the unit, but also creates depth in the case that Berger is unable to carry the ball 25-30 times per game.
Earlier today, Clint Brewster of 247Sports put together the Transfer Portal Top 150—ranking every transfer entering the 2021 football season.
College Football Transfer Portal Top 150: Final rankings for the 2021 cycle https://t.co/vlwJ2yEpgu via @247sports #Badgers
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) July 14, 2021
The top five consists of LB Henry To’o To’o moving from Tennessee to Alabama, RB Eric Gray from Tennessee to Oklahoma, WR Arik Gilbert from LSU to Georgia, WR Wan’Dale Robinson from Nebraska to Kentucky and RB Mike Jones Jr. from Clemson to LSU.
Now-Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan can be found at No. 83. Then down at No. 133: Wisconsin Badger running back Chez Mellusi.
The former Clemson back has 20 collegiate contests under his belt, those appearances seeing him carry the ball 71 times for 426 yards and catch the ball 5 times for 38 receiving yards.
Mellusi figures to be a big piece of a Badger backfield that underwhelmed in 2020. His specific role is not yet known, though it’s safe to say we will be seeing a lot of him come the fall.
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