Wisconsin Football Provides Update on Badgers RB Chez Mellusi

The Wisconsin Badgers football team won’t begin spring practice for quite some time, but it’s never too early to start talking about it. 

On Wednesday, Badgers head coach Luke Fickell appeared on the Wilde and Tausch radio show and talked about a number of subjects ranging from Mike Vrabel’s potential involvement with the team, offensive issues, and even the status of running back Chez Mellusi. 

Mellusi suffered a broken leg in a road win over Purdue that ended his season. The Florida native has since announced that he’ll return to the Wisconsin football team for a sixth season—and, by all accounts, will be the top candidate to lead the Badgers backfield. 

However, Fickell shared during the radio appearance that Mellusi “won’t get a big load, if any load, in the spring.”

Wisconsin Football Will Ease Chez Mellusi Back Into the Mix at RB

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

To say the Wisconsin football coaching staff is happy to have Chez Mellusi back for this coming season would be an understatement.

“Chez is obviously, as we all know, one of our most explosive players,” Longo said during bowl prep. “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.”

In four games, Mellusi carried the ball 51 times for 307 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He finished with seven carries of 10+ yards and averaged 3.12 yards per carry after first contact and 6.0 YPC overall.

Although it was a short sample size, Mellusi looked like a terrific fit in the air raid offensive scheme. The Badgers’ decision to bring Mellusi along slowly seems like a no-brainer, given his injury history.

Luke Fickell also shared that Oklahoma transfer Tawee Walker and true freshman early enrollee Gideon Ituka would get carries this spring, in addition to returning options like Jackson Acker and Cade Yacamelli.

Also worth mentioning is that Fickell shared that Wisconsin football 2024 four-star signees Darrion Dupree and Dilin Jones could factor into the mix at running back next season.

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