Wisconsin Football Freshman RBs Turning Heads at Fall Camp

Wisconsin Badgers head football coach Luke Fickell prioritized adding some dynamic young playmakers at running back in the 2024 recruiting class, a position group historically central to the program's offensive identity.

His focus on adding depth to the running back room culminated in securing commitments from highly touted four-star prospects Darrion Dupree and Dilin Jones. This gave the team a much-needed influx of intriguing talent to develop in the present—with an eye on the future.

As the Badgers' fall camp practices unfold, the potential impact of freshmen like Dupree and Jones is becoming evident, even against the backdrop of experienced players like Chez Mellusi and Tawee Walker.

While it's too early to gauge the exact roles the newcomers will assume this season, if any at all, their initial returns from fall camp suggest both players could earn snaps in the present and still become significant contributors to the Wisconsin football program's offense in the future as the focal points.

Dupree, a standout from Mount Carmel High School, showcased his versatility as a senior with 1,092 rushing yards and 755 receiving yards with 24 total touchdowns, earning the title of Chicago Sun-Times Player of the Year. On paper, the 5-foot-10, 205-pound tailback's skill set as a runner and pass catcher aligns seamlessly with offensive coordinator Phil Longo's spread concepts that often put a premium on getting the ball to their best athletes in space.

“He’s a different breed … a guy that just naturally, when he puts the ball in his hands, you can just tell something's about to happen,” Kenny Guiton told reporters when asked about Dupree. "We're excited about him. I can't wait to watch him go, and by the time the season rolls around, I won't even be surprised by the things he's doing."

Jones, who attended Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Maryland, ran for 820 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior on just 100 carries after missing time due to an ankle injury. At 6-foot, 206 pounds, Jones is a fluid athlete who plays a more physical, between-the-tackles running style that, in some ways, mirrors that of his teammate Chez Mellusi, who is known for his decisive cuts and willingness to embrace playing through contact.

Both Dupree and Jones have been gaining more practice reps throughout fall camp, particularly with the second-team offense, hinting that the coaches want to get an honest look at what they're able to handle before settling on a running back rotation.

"I think they both do a really nice job. Darrion has some versatility, has the ability to split out, and be able to create separation as a route runner," Devon Spalding told reporters . "I think Dilin is very decisive; he reminds me a lot of Chez, putting his foot in the ground, gaining extra yards on contact. He plays with a lot of physicality. Both those guys feed off each other really well, and we're really excited about both of them."

Despite not joining the team until summer, the young running backs have quickly grasped the playbook and consistently responded when called upon by the coaches. Their talent and upside are unmistakably evident.

That said, Jackson Acker and Cade Yacamelli, who are also fighting for snaps, are more experienced options in the running back room and have proven capable in relief roles. Either way, the team's improved positional depth gives the Wisconsin coaching staff plenty of viable options heading into the regular season.

As the Badgers continue to sort out their backfield hierarchy heading into the home opener, the blend of experienced players like Mellusi and Walker atop the pecking order, plus emerging talents like Dupree and Jones, suggests that depth shouldn't be an issue for Wisconsin in 2024.

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