Wisconsin Football 2024 Spring Practice Preview: Running Backs

Wisconsin Badgers head football coach Luke Fickell and his staff are preparing for their second round of spring practices with the program. 

The Badgers are set to begin spring ball on March 22 and run until May 2. Several of those practices are expected to be open to the media.  

Here’s a look at Wisconsin’s running back room, along with a player to watch, a newcomer that excites me, and the biggest question mark. 

Wisconsin Football Team’s Projected RB Depth Chart 

Apr 11, 2023; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin running backs coach Devon Spalding talks with running back Chez Mellusi (1) during practice Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Starter: Chez Mellusi 

Backup: Tawee Walker 

RB3: Jackson Acker OR Cade Yacamelli 

Others: Nate White, Gideon Ituka, Grover Bortolotti, and Zach Gloudeman.

The Wisconsin football running back room is undergoing a significant transformation in 2024. It is pivoting away from reliance on Braelon Allen, who is off to the NFL, and instead embracing a diverse array of skill sets.

Chez Mellusi leads the pack after opting to extend his tenure with the Badgers despite suffering a season-ending-ending injury last fall. Mellusi showcased explosive potential in Phil Longo’s offense before his setback, amassing 307 yards and four touchdowns in just four games. 

“Chez is obviously, as we all know, one of our most explosive players,” Longo told reporters. “He fits a system that creates some space, so we are elated to have him back, can’t wait to see him back out on the field, happy that he’s returning.”

The Badgers plan to ease Mellusi along this spring, and he likely “won’t get a big load, if any load, in the spring.”

The coaching staff’s decision to bring in Oklahoma transfer Tawee Walker reflects a strategic move to bolster the backfield’s depth and protect themselves against Mellusi’s health concerns. Walker, known for his powerful running style and versatility, brings valuable experience from his time in Norman — where he led the Sooners in rushing with 513 yards.

Walker should see a healthy workload this spring atop the depth chart.

However, some questions still linger about the Wisconsin football team’s supporting cast, including returning backs Jackson Acker and Cade Yacamelli, who have shown flashes but haven’t yet shouldered the full responsibility of leading the Badgers’ rushing attack. Behind them are redshirt freshman Nate White and early enrollee Gideon Ituka.

As we look ahead, the upcoming arrival of four-star tailbacks Darrion Dupree and Dilin Jones in the summer adds another layer of complexity to the competition for snaps and intensifies the competition within the Badgers’ backfield depth chart.

Badgers Player to Watch 

Regardless of what position Jackson Acker plays for Wisconsin next season, I’m convinced he’s a damn good football player. 

He’s been asked to wear a lot of different hats at Wisconsin and, by all accounts, has taken every assignment in stride. In 2023, Acker ran for 322 yards on 72 carries, scoring two touchdowns. The Verona native also caught 19 passes for 108 yards and another score. 

According to Pro Football Focus, Acker had the highest offensive grade among Badgers running backs with a 75.5. Additionally, he’s someone you can count on as a pass-blocker who is proficient in multiple roles. 

Eight scholarship running backs is a lot, and some attrition after spring practice is to be expected. That said, I think Wisconsin football coaches need to find a way to get Acker involved in some capacity. 

Wisconsin Football Newcomer That Excites Me

In this spot, I’ve got to roll with freshman early enroll Gideon Ituka. 

The Wisconsin Badgers staff brought in a three-player haul in the 2024 recruiting class at running back, and while Ituka might have received the least fanfare, he’s got a chance to establish himself this spring. 

Standing at 5-foot-10, 225 pounds, Ituka has what you’re looking for physically and in terms of his running style between the tackles. Given the drop-off in returning production, the Maryland native could work into the mix for position coach Devon Spalding during spring ball. 

Running Back Room’s Biggest Question Mark 

Unfortunately, the Wisconsin football team’s biggest question mark at running back will not be resolved during the spring because Chez Mellusi is still working his way back from a fractured fibula. 

His importance to the Badgers rushing attack will be critical in 2024. 

Because of that, the next question I’d like to see answered is what the Badgers do or don’t have in Nate White at running back. 

There’s no doubt that the in-state product has legit speed. Brady Collins posted a top sprint speeds graphic on social media that had him clocking in at an impressive 20.13 miles per hour this offseason. 

However, the 6-foot 170-pound tailback was buried on the Wisconsin football team’s depth chart last season, even when the running back depth became incredibly thin, making this a make-or-break offseason. 

On film, White displays elusive, big-play potential when carrying the ball. Yet, it seems more likely that he profiles as a gadget player for Wisconsin who you can find touches for on jet sweeps, screens, etc. 

White faces an uphill battle to carve out a role in a room that’s getting more crowded by the day, and he’ll need spring practice to serve as a serious turning point before Jones and Dupree arrive this summer. 

Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to read our work at BadgerNotes.com. For more Wisconsin Badgers Athletics and Big Ten content, follow us on Twitter & Facebook. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Publisher @DillonGraff at Dillon.T.Graff@gmail.com. 

Also, be sure to check out our shop, subscribe to our newsletter, and the BadgerNotes After Dark podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms. Because of your support, we have become one of the fastest-growing independent media outlets focused on giving a voice to the fans!