Wisconsin Football: 5 bold predictions for the 2017 season
3. Chris James and Bradrick Shaw reach 1,000 yards rushing
It is quite the feat when a college running back can break though 1,000 yards in a season. Even more incredible is when a team can produce two of these types of backs.
Normally the reason for this is because of a talent gap between a team’s No. 1 running back and their No. 2 and not often does a team get lucky enough to where they can have two options as their starter.
For the Badgers, this seems to be a recurring theme- and it isn’t a bad problem to have.
Following the graduation of the team’s starter last year, Corey Clement, and their backup Dare Ogunbowale- the Badgers will be looking for a new face of the running attack in 2017. Sophomore running back Bradrick Shaw, who served as third on depth chart last year and secured nearly 500 yards in ten games, is set to be the next man up in the Badgers backfield.
Joining Shaw is Pittsburgh transfer Chris James, who followed head coach Paul Chryst over to Wisconsin. James sat out last year following his transfer and will offer another weapon in the backfield for Chryst and company. Like Shaw, James had a very promising freshman campaign back in 2014, rushing for 437 yards and five yards per carry under Chryst at Pitt.
This year, Shaw and James appear to be nearly a split as to the amount of carries and action they will see. This balance, along with the strong passing game, can allow both tailbacks to get some traction and the opportunity will be there for some bust-out games.
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The last time two Wisconsin players rushed for 1,000 yards in the same season we need to go back to 2013 when both Melvin Gordon and James White exceeded not only 1,000 yards, but 1,400. In 2010, the Badgers were four yards away from having three players reach the 1,000-yard mark as John Clay and White were over with Montee Ball finishing the year at 996.
Shaw and James will certainly be this year’s one-two punch. Don’t be surprised to see them both have break-out years.