Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen entered the 2022 season with sky-high expectations. He had closed 2021 with 1268 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns after not really playing until midway through the season and figured to make a leap in his first full season as the starter.
Unfortunately, that leap did not come to fruition. Allen battled injuries all season and operated in a largely-ineffective offense. 2022 was a season to forget for nearly everybody on that side of the football.
Allen now returns for his third season along with backfield mate Chez Mellusi. If Offensive Coordinator Phil Longo’s comments are any indication, expect those two to be the engine of the program’s new offensive attack.
Some national pundits may forget about Allen with the other young running back talent blossoming across the country. ProFootballFocus does not fall into that category. The service listed Allen as one of its top 5 running back prospects entering the 2024 NFL Draft.
Top 5 RBs in the 2024 NFL Draft, via @TampaBayTre pic.twitter.com/pFMsP7IbsA
— PFF College (@PFF_College) June 14, 2023
Allen joins Florida State’s Trey Benson, Michigan’s Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards and Ohio State’s Treveyon Henderson.
The Big Ten is loaded at the position as usual, with Allen, Corum, Edwards, Henderson, Penn State’s Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, Maryland’s Roman Hemby and Ohio State’s Miyan Williams.
With health on his side, Braelon Allen has the ability to top that list at the season’s end.