PAST PRODUCTION / BACKGROUND

A four-star recruit from Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin, Braelon Allen burst onto the scene as a true freshman in 2021. Arguably the best two-way player in the state of Wisconsin coming out, Allen dominated the high school gridiron as both an All-Area Safety and All-Area RB. In his senior season, he averaged 14.6 yards per carry. Entering college, there was some doubt about whether Allen would play offense or defense at the next level. It was believed he could convert to MIKE LB, as his 6’2” 232 lbs. frame would suggest. Alas, RB would be Braelon’s calling and it was the right decision. 

Allen ran right down the throat of the BIG10 last season, after some initial reluctance from his coaches to give him the reins to the backfield and allow him to be the guy. He played in 12 games and only started four for the Badgers. Allen led the Badgers and ranked third in the BIG10 with 1,268 rushing yards. He was one of only four true freshmen to rush for over 1,000 yards at Wisconsin (others being Ron Dayne, James White, and Jonathan Taylor). He finished the year tied with TreVeyon Henderson of Ohio State with a 6.82 yards per carry average, good for the best average in the nation among backs with at least 140 carries

Braelon Allen had eight games in which he rushed for at least 100 yards, including a streak of seven straight 100-yard games. This streak was good for the longest by a freshman in school history. His eight 100-yard rushing games tied him with Kenneth Walker III of Michigan State for most in the BIG10 last year. 

Allen has deceptive speed for a back of his size. He also breaks tackles as well as you would expect for a back of his size. 

Allen was a Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award finalist and was voted a Walter Camp Freshman All-American after last season. He was a consensus second-team All-BIG10 selection and the Las Vegas Bowl MVP after rushing for 159 yards on 29 carries and leading the Badgers to victory over Arizona State. 

2022 OUTLOOK

One of the only things left for your author to see from Braelon Allen is increased usage in the passing game. After just eight receptions over twelve games last season, it leaves at least a question about his comfort level catching the football. While that is not a major portion of Wisconsin’s offense–we know it is in the NFL. However, his history and experience playing the safety position in high school does lead us to believe he has decent ball skills. 

Allen will begin the 2022 season on both the Maxwell Award and Doak Walker Award preseason watch lists. After a few tune-up games, he and the Badgers will be tested early when they head to Ohio State in Week 4. Later in the season, they will play at Michigan State and at Iowa. The expectation for Braelon Allen is for him to produce more of the same. He is a rare athlete who is a very physically strong, contact-seeking player. He is already one of the more physical and violent players in the nation. 

Assuming health, Allen should be the favorite to lead the BIG10 in rushing this season–even ahead of TreVeyon Henderson. Ohio State tends to rotate their backs more and has a much more potent passing attack than the Badgers. In terms of improvement, your author hopes to see Allen play with a lower pad level and on the field for more pass-protection situations this season. 

DYNASTY ANALYSIS / DRAFT CAPITAL

Your author’s favorite attribute about Braelon Allen and his 2021 season is that he achieved an age-17 breakout. Yes, as unbelievable as it seems, he did all this as a 17-year-old kid. Allen initially committed as a member of the 2022 class but reclassified and joined the Badgers in 2021. 

Once we see increased usage in pass protection and the receiving game Allen will be an NFL slam dunk as far as your author is concerned. He is a player your author has many shares of already. He can be obtained in the RB6 to RB8 range of devy drafts, but he currently sits as devy RB4 on your author’s rankings. Do yourself a favor and watch a Wisconsin game this season simply for Braelon Allen alone. He profiles as an every-down workhorse for an NFL team at the next level. 

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