Wisconsin Football Coaches Don’t Believe ‘RB of the Future’ on Team

During yesterday’s ReliaQuest Bowl game against LSU, announcers dropped an interesting nugget that showcased the potential uncertainty in the Wisconsin Badgers football team’s backfield. 

ESPN’s Rod Gilmore hinted at the coaching staff’s continued search to find a featured running back for 2024, casting doubt on the current in-house options vying for that honor at RBU. 

Cade Yacamelli and Jackson Acker showcased their respective skill sets during the game in extended playing time. Still, Gilmore suggested neither is seriously being considered for the starting job next season.

“What’d you think of the coaches telling us that they didn’t really believe that the running back of the future is on the squad now?” Gilmore said during the ESPN broadcast in the second half. 

Despite this, converted fullback Jackson Acker made a statement with a stunning 33-yard touchdown run and 86 total yards on the day despite having just 14 carries. Yacamelli, a converted safety, showed promise with 45 yards on seven carries but suffered an injury and didn’t return. 

TOUCHDOWN! #34 Jackson Acker @BadgerFootball

WIS 28, LSU 21 (QTR 3) pic.twitter.com/QKYvXeZ2ZQ

— ReliaQuest Bowl (@ReliaQuestBowl) January 1, 2024

The duo filled in admirably for Wisconsin football star tailback Braelon Allen, who opted out of the bowl game when he declared for the NFL draft. 

Wisconsin Football Staff Doesn’t Believe ‘RB of Future’ is on the Roster 

Given the avalanche of changes the Wisconsin football coaching staff has put into motion since the regular season ended, this idea that the Badgers don’t believe they have the RB of the future on the roster is not earth-shattering news. However, it’s still interesting that they shared this info with the announcers.

Head coach Luke Fickell confirmed Chez Mellusi’s intention to return for a sixth season in 2024. However, the departure of Braelon Allen leaves big shoes for the Wisconsin Badgers to fill. Mellusi, before his injury earlier in the season, led the Badgers with 307 yards and four touchdowns.

Mellusi is expected to serve as the team’s RB1 next season. But the Badgers also add Oklahoma tailback Tawee Walker from the transfer portal to serve as a stopgap 1B option with one year of eligibility remaining to provide depth. He ran for 513 yards and seven touchdowns for the Sooners in 2023 and will be on scholarship next season.

Moreover, Wisconsin football secured a trio of promising signees in the 2024 recruiting class, adding three dynamic running backs: four-star recruits Darrion Dupree and Dilin Jones, along with three-star recruit Gideon Ituka.

Overall, the Wisconsin Badgers feel good about the influx of talent they’ve added at running back. Coaches feel like the running back of the future is among the group of recruits they brought in. What it means for the remaining holdovers like Nate White, Jackson Acker, and Cade Yacamelli remains to be seen, but it’s unlikely the program will have this many scholarship running backs on the roster when spring ball rolls around.

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