With national signing day for high school football players beginning on February 5, Badgers Insider takes a closer look at the recruits that signed with the Wisconsin football program.
In this edition, we examine Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) High School running back Jalen Berger.
Note: All notes and stats provided by uwbadgers.com
Berger chose Wisconsin over other offers from: Alabama, Baylor, Boston College, Florida, LSU, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Rutgers, and UCLA
Berger’s High School Accolades: Four-star recruit by 247 Sports, ESPN and Rivals…Selected for 2020 All-American Bowl…Ran for 840 yards and 12 touchdowns on just 111 carries as a senior…Caught 27 passes for 357 yards and 4 touchdowns as a senior
Berger’s Impact as a Badger: Wisconsin had to patiently wait to land their running back in the 2020 recruiting cycle. Despite maybe having to wait longer than they normally have to the Badgers certainly landed a good one in Berger.
Berger who’s listed at 6’0″ and 190 pounds held over 30 offers and is rated as the No. 5 running back nationally by Rivals and is rated as the No. 15 running back nationally by 247 Sports. In addition, Berger is rated as the 87th player nationally by Rivals and the 135th player nationally by 247 Sports.
Berger was able to have success in high school when he was able to get the football in space and use his athleticism to make defenders miss. As he’s able to keep his balance as a runner on runs up the middle and is also able to break plays to the outside.
Berger brings a multi-talented skillset to Wisconsin as outside of being a talented runner he has also shown his capability of catching the ball out of the backfield. As past running back recruits for Wisconsin haven’t come in as accomplished of receiving threat as Berger has.
With Jonathan Taylor off to the NFL and Berger being able to do multiple things should allow him to see the field as a true freshman.
It is unfair to expect Berger to have a Taylor like freshman season if he does see the field but because he’s capable of catching the football out of the backfield he’ll be able to provide value to Wisconsin.
How the offensive coaching staff gets Berger involved on offense will depend on how quickly he can adjust to Wisconsin’s offense. Berger will need to continue to gain strength when he arrives in the summer in order to help him hold up in pass coverage.
Entering the 2020 season there are questions surrounding the running back position and if somebody in the running back room can step up? Berger will get his chance of carving out a role in Wisconsin’s offense during fall camp as it will be up to him to show running backs coach John Settle that he can be trusted and he won’t make a mistake when he’s on the field.