Wisconsin Football: Top 5 breakout candidates for 2017

ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 02: Alex Hornibrook #12 of the Wisconsin Badgers and Jazz Peavy #11 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrate with the trophy after the Wisconsin Badgers beat the Western Michigan Broncos 24-16 in the 81st Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on January 2, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Nick Nelson is not the only transfer for the Badgers this year expected to make an impact. They also have running back Chris James.

James played for Paul Chryst for one season in 2014 while they were both at Pitt. His freshman year was pretty solid. He played in 12 games and ran for 437 yards on 87 carries, averaging 5.0 yards a carry. He also found the endzone four times.

After Chryst left, his production dropped with only 56 carries and 253 yards with no touchdowns. That is when he decided to follow Chryst to Wisconsin.

After sitting out a year, James is ready to pick up where he left off his freshman year. The Badgers lost running backs Corey Clement and Dare Ogunbowale.

Most assume that Bradrick Shaw will be the starter and while that is probably true, James will get his share of the carries. He’s very explosive and a workhorse of a running back. He would play every down if given the chance, but it’s more likely to have a 50/50 split with Shaw. Expect big things from James this fall.

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