“I think that spring ball is going to be really unique,” Fickell said when asked about the team’s running back position. “Obviously Chez is back and we know what Chez can do. He won’t get a big load, if any load, in the spring, to be honest with you. So we’ll see a bit more of the young guys.”
Wisconsin badgers
LATEST: Wisconsin football RB Chez Mellusi injury update
The University of Wisconsin football team’s supporters may have to wait a little while longer to see running back Chez Mellusi return to action this spring.
In an interview on “Wilde & Tausch” on ESPN Wisconsin on Wednesday, coach Luke Fickell of the Badgers stated that he doesn’t anticipate the senior playing much when spring practices start next month.
The sixth-year senior from Naples, Florida, Mellusi, missed the final eight games of the previous season after breaking his leg late in a victory against Purdue in September. Prior to his injury, he had 307 yards on 51 carries (6 yards per rush) and three touchdowns; in 22 games at Wisconsin, he has 1,595 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Mellusi began his career at Clemson and is in his fourth season at Wisconsin. He seemed to fit well into offensive coordinator Phil Longo’s Air Raid scheme. Mellusi’s stint at Wisconsin has unfortunately been marred by freak injuries. In 2021, he tore his ACL against Rutgers, and in 2022, he missed time due to a fractured wrist at Northwestern.
During the Badgers open practice at the ReliaQuest Bowl, he was observed working out with trainers, but it didn’t seem like he was yet permitted to run at full pace.
With Mellusi sidelined or unable to participate in spring workouts, other running backs will have an opportunity to vie for backfield positions. If Mellusi is healthy this fall, he should be the top choice for the Badgers to replace their lead back for the previous three seasons, Braelon Allen. However, transfer Tawee Walker, rookie Gideon Ituka, and holdovers Jackson Acker and Cade Yacamelli will make an impression in the spring.
“I think that that one is going to really take a lot longer to figure out, ‘OK, what’s the order here?'” Fickell said. “How do these guys go about it? Can you play? Are there two, are there three?”
Fickell also mentioned the possibility of Darrion Dupree and Dilin Jones, two rookie running backs who arrived this summer, being featured this season.
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