PLATTEVILLE — University of Wisconsin running backs learned quickly that the freshmen at their position had the ability to flatten out the learning curve inherent to a player’s first training camp. “They’re going to be really, really good,” senior Chez Mellusi said about his young backfield mates. “Obviously super talented … they gotta get their noses in there (the playbook) and just start learning, but they’re going to be super good.” Good things tend to happen when Darrion Dupree or Dilin Jones, Wisconsin’s four-star running backs in this year’s recruiting class, get the ball in their hands. Dupree has gotten a few first-team snaps, and the pair has been taking a good number of second-team snaps. Their physical tools are apparent, as both possess speed and acceleration that set them apart and both are comfortable running routes as receivers.
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They’re getting chances in practice to show they can contribute to a running back group that appears deep when its top players, Mellusi and Tawee Walker, are healthy. “They’re getting an opportunity to show what they do understand, what they don’t understand, and can they play through it,” Badgers coach Luke Fickell said about his young running backs. Freshmen typically aren’t made available to reporters during training camp, so neither Dupree nor Jones spoke with reporters Tuesday, but their performances have made them a hot topic of training camp at UW-Platteville. Adding playmakers on offense certainly can’t hurt a unit that produced 23.5 points per game a year ago, a program-low since 2004. Here are four observations from Tuesday’s practice.
1. RB depth giving offense more variety
Fickell mentioned Saturday the value of reps with the No. 2 offense for the young backs, particularly with the two-back sets that have been used. Varieties of motions, options, counters, play-action passes and other concepts have been run with two backs in the backfield so far, and an early 11-on-11 period Tuesday saw six of 10 plays run with two backs. Pairing players like Jackson Acker with Jones, or Walker with Dupree, can create tough matchups for defenses or potentially force them to adjust and create weak points down the field. “I love it because we can just throw anybody in … and do crazy stuff out the backfield,” Walker said. “It makes it hard for the defense, especially when you got guys that can do both, guys that are in the backfield that can catch the ball, both can block, both can run the ball. So you got to anticipate everything.” There’s more speed and versatility in the running back group this season, and coaches seem open to getting them on the field in creative ways.
2. Nyzier Fourqurean’s offseason work shows up
Nyzier Fourqurean’s first season at Wisconsin didn’t end how he would’ve liked as he struggled to maintain his legs after an offseason in which he couldn’t condition. He turned around that this offseason, earning recognition from the strength and conditioning staff as one of the top performers of the summer. That improved strength is noticed when he’s hand-fighting with receivers on the line of scrimmage and when he’s fighting to affect the catch point. He knocked away a pass from Vinny Anthony during a skeleton period early Tuesday and challenged Bryson Green for a pass that fell incomplete on the sideline. Fourqurean matching up against Green is a fun watch — Green’s as physical as they come on the outside and Fourqurean’s doing a better job this season maintaining his positioning through the contact. Another area Fourqurean’s body conditioning can help is tackling. Wisconsin hasn’t gone live much beyond
a scrimmage Saturday , but improved tackling is a crucial need for the defense this offseason. Fourqurean only missed six tackles last season, per PFF, and had two sacks blitzing from his boundary cornerback spot, but five of those missed tackles came in losses.
3. Tyrell Henry makes strides, but position crowded
Michigan State transfer receiver Tyrell Henry had a quiet spring and it looked like his contribution to this season's Badgers might be made as a returner. But he’s come on the last handful of practices and has shown he can be a reliable receiver, particularly over the middle. He had a handful of catches Tuesday despite a defender being in close coverage, including on a third-and-1 play during 11-on-11 work that forced him to hang onto the ball despite being hit by a linebacker and safety. Henry’s physical traits might not be atop his position group, but there doesn’t seem to be clear deficiency in his game. Henry’s working at both the outside and slot receiver positions, versatility that would be good for his chances to play this season, but he’s got Anthony and CJ Williams doing the same thing alongside him. That trio all will get snaps, but coaches likely want one to emerge ahead of the others.
4. Jaheim Thomas’ pass rush a weapon
The Badgers wanted Jaheim Thomas to be on the team last season, but their transfer pursuit came up short when Thomas went to Arkansas. He played well at the SEC program but decided to spend his last season with the coaches he knows in Fickell and defensive coordinator Mike Tressel and a system he knows can use his range of talents. Thomas’ ability to rush the passer from the traditional inside linebacker spots as well as off the edge might be an integral part of Tressel’s plan to harass QBs this season. Thomas caused quarterback Braedyn Locke to throw away a pass before being sacked during an early 11-on-11 session, then notched a would-be sack off the right side of the line two plays later. He showed his flexibility later in 11-on-11 work when he jammed slot receiver Trech Kekahuna at the line, dropped back into a zone in the middle of the field, then ran Locke out of bounds after Locke scrambled. Thomas is everything the Badgers need at the “Will” linebacker spot, and his impact can be even bigger if Christian Alliegro continues to develop and lets Thomas split reps at times.
Photos: Wisconsin Badgers compete at Paris Olympics
Wisconsin star Phoebe Bacon competes in the 200-meter backstroke at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Nanterre, France. Wisconsin star Phoebe Bacon competes in the women's 200-meter backstroke semifinal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Nanterre, France. Wisconsin star Phoebe Bacon competes in a women's 200-meter backstroke semifinal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Nanterre, France. Wisconsin star Phoebe Bacon competes in the women's 200-meter backstroke semifinal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Nanterre, France. Former Wisconsin stars Lauren Carlini, No. 7, and Dana Rettke, No. 16, join their U.S. teammates during the national anthems before their group volleyball match against China at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Former Wisconsin star Lauren Carlini, No. 7, and her U.S. teammates react after losing their group A women's volleyball match against China at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Former Wisconsin women's soccer and hockey player Alev Kelter, left, and teammate Ilona Maher celebrate after winning the women's quarterfinal rugby sevens match between Great Britain and the United States at the 2024 Summer Olympics in the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, France. Former Wisconsin Badgers Lauren O'Connor and Grace Joyce, middle two, and Team USA teammates Teal Cohen, left, and Emily Delleman, right, react after their women's quadruple sculls rowing final at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Vaires-sur-Marne, France. Teal Cohen, Emily Delleman, Grace Joyce and Lauren O'Connor compete for Team USA during a women's rowing quadruple sculls heat at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Vaires-sur-Marne, France. Teal Cohen, Lauren O'Connor, Grace Joyce and Emily Delleman compete for Team USA in the women's quadruple sculls rowing final at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Vaires-sur-Marne, France. Former Wisconsin standout Aleem Ford waves to fans after Puerto Rico lost to the United States in a men's basketball game at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France. Former Wisconsin standout Aleem Ford dunks for Puerto Rico as U.S. center Joel Embiid defends during their men's basketball game at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France. Germany's Timo Barthel and Jaden Eikermann Gregorchuk, who competed for the Badgers, compete in the men's 10-meter synchronized platform diving final at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Saint-Denis, France. Germany's Timo Barthel and Jaden Eikermann Gregorchuk, who competed for the Badgers, compete in the men's 10-meter synchronized platform diving final at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Saint-Denis, France. Canada's Mohammed Ahmed, right, holds on to gold medalist Joshua Cheptegei, of Uganda, after finishing the men's 10,000 meters final at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Saint-Denis, France. Ahmed competed for the Badgers from 2010 to 2014. Yomif Kejelcha, of Ethiopia, left, and Mohammed Ahmed, right, of Canada, compete in the men's 10,000 meters final at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Saint-Denis, France. Ahmed competed for the Badgers from 2010 to 2014. Former Wisconsin star Rose Lavelle celebrates after teammate Mallory Swanson scored during the women's Group B soccer match against Germany during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Marseille, France. Former Wisconsin star Rose Lavelle, right challenges Australia's Ellie Carpenter during their women's Group B soccer match at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Marseille, France. Former Wisconsin standout Zach Ziemek competes in the decathlon javelin throw at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Saint-Denis, France. Former Wisconsin standout Zach Ziemek makes an attempt in the decathlon high jump at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Saint-Denis, France. Former Wisconsin standout Zach Ziemek makes an attempt in the decathlon long jump at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Saint-Denis, France. United States' Margaret Hedeman, Nina Castagna, Maddie Wanamaker, Olivia Coffey, Meghan Musnicki, Claire Collins, Charlotte Buck, Regina Salmons and Molly Bruggeman react after competing in the women's eight rowing final at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Vaires-sur-Marne, France. Wanamaker competed for the Badgers from 2013 to 2017. Sophia Vitas and Kristi Wagner compete in the women's double sculls rowing semifinal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Vaires-sur-Marne, France. Vitas competed for the Badgers from 2013 to 2016. Former Wisconsin star Dana Rettke, left, and Jordan Thompson celebrate at the end of their match against Poland in a women's quarterfinal volleyball match at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
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