Wisconsin Football Pro Day: Running Back Denies Injury Reports

Wisconsin football held its pro day on Friday ahead of the NFL Draft. Nine former Badgers participated in various drills. One former UW player participated in fewer workouts than any other player. Since then, he has denied reports explaining his limited participation.

Braelon Allen Has Mixed Performance at NFL Combine

Mar 2, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen (RB02) during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Former Wisconsin football running back Braelon Allen projects as a day three NFL Draft pick. Two weeks ago, the Fond du Lac native participated in the NFL Combine. In Indianapolis, the 2023 All-Big Ten second team selection measured in at 6-foot-1-inch and 235 pounds.

Unfortunately for Allen, his numbers at the NFL’s premier scouting event did not all pop off the page. His 32-inch vertical jump was the third-worst among the 20 participating running backs. With a broad jump of 9-foot-9-inches, the 2021 Walter Camp Freshman All-American ranked 15 out of 20 in the exercise. The one outstanding number the 20-year-old prospect posted was his 26 bench press reps. Only Michigan’s Blake Corum outperformed Allen on the bench.

The power rusher did not participate in any of the running or agility drills at the combine.

Wisconsin Football Running Back Denies Injury Reports

Wisconsin Badger football’s practice field inside the McClain Center pictured on Wisconsin football’s 2024 Pro Day.
Photo Credit: Badgernotes staff writer Kedrick Stumbris

The only opportunity scouts at Wisconsin’s pro day had to watch Allen showcase his ability was in the position drills. The former four-star recruit did not attempt any of the athletic measurable drills he completed at the combine or any of the three running drills.

For what it's worth…

Braelon Allen did make this point at Pro Day that he reiterates in this post, BUT when asked, he said he is "as close to 100% as I've been."

Whichever it is, I don't think this is a case of "40 yard dash warriors" attacking the former #Badgers back. https://t.co/62xsygdFPH pic.twitter.com/TwgeANPHPn

— Kedrick Stumbris (@KedrickStumbris) March 16, 2024

In a media scrum at the conclusion of workouts, Allen was asked about his decision not to run at the combine or pro day. The Wisconsin football program’s ninth-all-time leading rusher said it was not pre-determined that he would run but that recovering from a high ankle sprain “took longer than we had hoped.” That extended recovery time prevented him from doing the necessary practice to run those drills, so he decided not to showcase a time that would “not have been what [he] was hoping for or expecting.”

Reports swirled on Friday that Allen is not 100% healthy. Late that night, however, the 2022 Guaranteed Rate Bowl MVP pushed back on those reports, saying that he is 100% and saying, “Sorry to all the 40-yard dash warriors, but we’ll let the tape talk.”

No I am 100%, but the time frame to properly train for the 40 and shuttles was too small of a window for me to perform the way I would have wanted to, due to my ankle injury. Sorry to all the 40 yard dash warriors but we’ll let the tape talk. https://t.co/vdUNQD181n

— Braelon Allen (@BraelonAllen) March 16, 2024

Wisconsin Football Pro Day Report for Braelon Allen

The reports surfaced when a correspondent asked Allen about his current status. The 2021 Las Vegas Bowl MVP said he is “closest to 100% as [he’s] been.”

Despite Allen’s impressive career, it could have been more impressive. After a freshman season with 6.8 yards per carry, he was limited by injuries the two following years. Despite the limitations, Allen’s 5.85 career yards per carry rank fifth in Wisconsin football history and he is tied for the sixth-most 100-yard rushing performances with 20. Allen rushed for over 100 yards in 18 of the Badgers’ 22 wins during his time in Madison.

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