Former Wisconsin Football RB Isaac Guerendo Selected in NFL Draft

We saw two Wisconsin football players taken in this year’s NFL Draft; running back Braelon Allen and offensive lineman Tanor Bortolini. But there was another player drafted this year with connections to the Badgers. Former Wisconsin football running back Isaac Guerendo was also drafted in this year’s draft.

The speedy running back spent the first four years of his collegiate career with the Badgers. He committed to the Badgers originally as a wide receiver in the Badgers’ 2018 recruiting class. He quickly converted to running back, joining a talented position with Jonathan Taylor, Nakia Watson, Bradrick Shaw, and Garrett Groshek.

The speed Isaac Guerendo possessed made him a weapon for the Wisconsin football team. Unfortunately, he always seemed to be buried in the depth chart. He sat behind Taylor his freshman year, but then the Badgers brought in 4-star back Jalen Berger, who got a bulk of the carries as a true freshman with Garrett Groshek.

Then, in his third season, the Badgers brought in transfer running back Chez Mellusi and then-freshman back Braelon Allen emerged. He became a part of a talented three-headed running attack for the Wisconsin football team. But Isaac Guerendo Guerendo was always no. 3 in that three-headed attack, given limited carries.

When he transferred to Louisville, no one could say they were overly surprised. In his lone year as a Cardinal, the former Wisconsin football speedster was finally able to showcase his talents. Despite sharing carries with Jawhar Jordan, Guerendo managed 810 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, both career-highs.

He was invited to the NFL Combine and was able to showcase his athletic abilities. He finished above every other running back in the 40-yard dash (4.33) and the vertical jump (41.5″). According to NFL.com’s NextGen Stats, Isaac Guerendo has an athleticism score of 99 (estimated), tops among all running backs at the combine. What’s even more impressive is his relative athletic score (RAS). Based on his measurements, Guerendo received a 9.90 score out of a possible 10. That puts him 19th out of 1,848 running backs from 1987 to 2024.

After his performance at the combine, Isaac Guerendo saw his stock rise. According to NFL Draft Buzz, he was the no. 12 running back in the draft, projected to be picked in the 5th round.

As it turns out, the former Wisconsin football player didn’t have to wait until the 5th round to hear his name called. The San Fransico 49ers took Guerendo in the fourth round with the 129th overall pick, five picks ahead of Braelon Allen.

Got a need for speed 💨@isaacguerendo x @LouisvilleFB pic.twitter.com/WvN6wmT38M

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) April 27, 2024

Isaac Guerendo will become a part of an already potent offense guided by head coach Kyle Shanahan. He’ll have the opportunity to join a backfield led by all-pro running back, Christian McCaffrey. He could also get an opportunity to return kicks or punts for the 49ers. He was an honorable mention All-Big Ten kick returner for the Wisconsin football team in 2022.

Even though he spent his last season as a Louisville Cardinal, Isaac Guerendo will still be considered a Badger by many fans.

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