Wisconsin Badgers running back Braelon Allen (0) and Wisconsin Badgers running back Chez Mellusi (1) have a laugh as part of Wisconsin Badgers football media day at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022.
Since taking over the Wisconsin football program in late November, head coach Luke Fickell has been chipping away at a mile-long to-do list.
Fickell spent time evaluating his inherited roster, built a coaching staff, and worked to salvage the 2023 recruiting class while scouring the transfer portal for potential fits.
These tasks are challenging in their own right, but now that the dust has settled and the roster is coming more into focus – it’s apparent that the team still has a few question marks.
Because of that, a reader recently suggested another possibility worth discussing. Should Wisconsin football consider adding a running back through the transfer portal?
What does Wisconsin football currently have at RB?
The Wisconsin football program is pretty top-heavy at running back entering 2023.
Star tailback Braleon Allen announced he’s staying with the program for what will likely be his last year in Madison. Additionally, UW returns RB2 Chez Mellusi – who helps round out one of the nation’s most formidable running back tandems.
Behind Wisconsin’s 1, 2 punch, there are serious question marks. Isaac Guerendo, coming off the best season of his career, entered the transfer portal and landed at Louisville in search of more carries. However, the depth behind him is unproven, to say the least.
In-state product Julius Davis, a once highly regarded recruit, has yet to work his way into the mix for carries during his four seasons at UW. Will the new coaching staff see something the previous regime didn’t? Only time will tell — but I have my doubts.
Wisconsin football is also transitioning fullback Jackson Acker and safety Cade Yacamelli to RB to improve depth at the position. Additionally, UW has walk-ons Brady Schipper and Grover Bortolotti round out the running back room.
Incoming Running Backs
Three-star in-state running back Nate White out of Milwaukee was the only scholarship commit in the 2023 recruiting class. UW initially had two players committed – but the new coaching staff was less enamored with Jaquez Keyes – ultimately leading to him re-opening his recruitment and committing to Wake Forest.
White is a raw talent at tailback with a high ceiling that will need some time to develop. However, he can potentially become a three-down, home-run hitter out of the backfield for the Badgers down the road.
Final Verdict
While I see the argument in Wisconsin football adding a running back via the transfer portal, It doesn’t seem necessary for the Badgers to add another body this season.
UW has the majority of next seasons carries spoken for, with Allen and Mellusi already in the fold. Between Davis, Acker, and Yacamelli, I’m confident Fickell and his coaching staff can get enough production from in-house options for its lightly used RB3 spot.
Having multiple backs to rotate in is essential, so Wisconsin football could certainly consider an addition with an eye on the future if the staff is underwhelmed with UW’s depth.
But the Badgers are already over the 85 allowed scholarships and need to get under by fall camp, so adding another player seems unlikely.
If Luke Fickell opts to roll with what they have next season, the 2024 recruiting class could become an easier sell to incoming recruits. Especially if Braelon Allen leaves early, plenty of carries and early playing time will be up for grabs.
In-state RB Corey Smith will undoubtedly be a high priority, as will several others such as Jordan Marshall and Darrion Dupree — so UW’s staff probably prefers to double down in next year’s class, hoping to add a blue-chip talent to add to the offense.
The Wisconsin football program recently hosted several 2025 prospects during the Badgers win over Georgia Southern.
One of those prospects was Erik Schmidt, a touted kicker/punter out of Milwaukee.
“I had a really good time,” Schmidt told BadgerNotes. “The atmosphere in Madison was great, and everybody was welcoming.”
Erik Schmidt Recaps Recent Wisconsin Football Visit
Per Kohl’s Kicking, Schmidt is a five-star specialist. The Marquette University High School standout is the No. 4 ranked kicker in the nation and the No. 1 punter.
Wisconsin was the first school to extend an offer to Schmidt and remains his sole offer. However, he has been garnering some interest from other programs.
“Michigan, Notre Dame, and Ohio State,” Schmidt said when asked what schools he’s hearing from at the moment.
UW coaches Spencer Rymiszewski and Matt Mitchell have been Schmidt’s main points of contact following his scholarship offer. During his visit, he was able to catch up with the coaches and build relationships.
“I’d say I have a close relationship with the staff. I talk to them multiple times a week.” Schmidt said. “We talked about how my football season is going.”
It’s not just coaches who have been talking with Schmidt, however. Nathanial Vakos, the Wisconsin football program’s current placekicker, took some time to chat with Schmidt during his visit as well.
“I was able to talk with (Vakos) as well,” Schmidt told BadgerNotes. “We were just catching up because we were at a camp together this past summer.”
Wisconsin is reportedly near the top of Schmidt’s list, but he’s not in any rush to make a decision. He’s still looking to make his rounds and check out some other programs that have shown interest.
“I’m going to visit Notre Dame and Michigan,” Schmidt said. “I’ll be back in Madison for the Ohio State game.”
Luke Fickell and company are looking to have a scholarship kicker/punter in the 2025 class. If they are able to reel in one of the nation’s top kickers/punters, that will be a big win for the special teams group.
As it stands, Wisconsin football holds two commitments in the 2025 cycle from Remington Moss and Landyn Locke.
Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell (left) greets Wisconsin Badgers defensive Coordinator Mike Tressel after Fickell spoke to the media during Wisconsin Badgers football media day at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023.
Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin Badgers Football program struggled to recruit America’s Dairyland in their first full cycle since taking over. That said, they’re hoping to change their fortunes in a deep group of 2025 in-state prospects.
Three-star linebacker Cooper Catalano from Germantown, Wisconsin, is arguably the top linebacker target on their board, and they have hosted him on several unofficial visits, most recently during the Badgers home game vs. Georgia Southern.
According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Catalano is ranked as the No. 470 player in the nation, the No. 43 linebacker, and the No. 6 player in Wisconsin. He currently holds offers from UW, Illinois, Iowa State, Kansas, Michigan State, and Minnesota.
His fit with Wisconsin football seems obvious, and after his latest trip to Madison, it appears that the recruiting insiders have a gut feeling about where he’ll call home.
Wisconsin Football is Trending for the In-State Linebacker
Obviously, it’s still early in Cooper Catalano’s recruitment, but all signs point to the Wisconsin Badgers Football team keeping him home.
Badgers recruiting insiders Evan Flood of 247Sports and Jon McNamara of Rivals are in lockstep and have placed predictions for the 6-foot 200-pound linebacker to commit to Wisconsin.
As it stands, Wisconsin football has verbal commitments from quarterback Landyn Locke and defensive back Remington Moss, so it would be even sweeter to add an in-state product into the mix this early.
The Badgers coaching staff has injected some life into the program on the recruiting trail, and plenty of players want a seat at the table before the spots fill up.
Mandatory Credit: Aaron Frey-AMF Photos. Follow @amfphotos2020 on Instagram to see more.
Fresh off of a win over top-ranked Mukwonago, Muskego High School standout Nicholas McCullough made a stop at Camp Randall to take in the Wisconsin Badgers football program’s victory over Georgia Southern, where the
“Great visit overall,” McCullough told BadgerNotes. “The atmosphere was amazing per usual. It was great to see coach Scruggs in action.”
Nicholas McCullough Recaps Recent Wisconsin Football Visit
During his visit, McCullough spent some time building his relationships with the coaching staff. He’s been in touch with a pair of UW coaches thus far as they continue to monitor the Muskego native.
“I have a good relationship with the staff. Coach Spalding is an awesome dude, and it’s always good to see him. Coach Scruggs is an amazing coach, and we keep in touch whenever we can.” McCullough explained. “I saw them pregame and just talked about how my season is going so far.”
The Muskego standout has had an impressive season thus far. The undefeated Warriors just took down Mukwonago and have wins over other programs such as Verona, Oak Creek, and Waukesha West.
His film speaks for itself, as he’s put together quite a highlight reel through five games.
Not only is McCullough a standout on the field, but he’s an excellent student. According to his Twitter bio, McCullough currently holds a 4.0 GPA. Some schools are taking notice of his excellent academics, including some Ivy League universities.
“Duke and Ivy League (schools) such as Princeton, Penn, Columbia, and Dartmouth,” McCullough said when asked what other schools he’s hearing from.
McCullough hasn’t picked up an offer from the Badgers yet, but he is planning on another Wisconsin football visit, among some other stops.
“I’m currently working out the details for Ivy League visits. I do plan on coming back to Madison,” McCullough explained.
McCullough has a long way to go in his recruitment, but he was impressed by Wisconsin. At the end of our talk, the junior linebacker discussed what the most important thing will be when he’s choosing a school.
“Definitely the level of education. Wisconsin does a great job of having the best of both worlds. Great football team and a great education.”
As it stands, the Wisconsin football program holds two commitments in the 2025 class from Remington Moss and Landyn Locke.