Wisconsin Football: 3 things to watch vs. Utah State

1. Badgers’ newcomers

The Badgers welcome in a couple of transfers to the program and a some that could make an immediate impact to the team.

Former Pittsburgh running back Chris James followed current head coach Paul Chryst from Pitt to Wisconsin back when Chryst took the job to leave the Panthers and re-join the Badgers. After sitting out last year, James is going to pop right into the Badgers’ rotation and will like split carries with fellow sophomore teammate Bradrick Shaw.

It looks by all indication that Shaw will be the No. 1 guy entering the season, but the Badgers’ running attack will be full of capable talent and guys that can step in at any moment. Wisconsin’s depth chart for week one against Utah State lists Shaw first, but is followed by the word “OR” and then lists James and freshman running back Jonathan Taylor.

James ran for 690 yards in two seasons with Pittsburgh, averaging just under five yards per carry. He actually secured double the amount of touchdowns (8) receiving than he did rushing, which might forecast his future role with the Badgers as a third down back and used in the passing game.

Also joining the Badgers as a starter is junior defensive back Nick Nelson, a transfer from Hawaii. Nelson is listed as one of the starters on the Badgers’ depth chart at cornerback. Nelson was impressive in the Badgers’ training camp and will provide a nice replacement for Sojourn Shelton, whom the Badgers lost to graduation and the NFL this past year.

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Nelson played in all 13 games for Hawaii in 2016 and secured over 50 tackles during the year. It will be interesting to see how both Nelson and James acclimate to a new team and atmosphere with high expectations.

The Badgers and Aggies kick off Friday, Sept. 1, at 9:00 p.m. ET.