Backups can ease Taylor’s burden
MADISON – Jonathan Taylor’s workload in 2017 was arduous.
Uncertain of his role at Wisconsin when camp opened, Taylor shone in the opener with an average of 9.7 yards per carry, moved into the starting lineup in Week 2 and finished with 299 of the 535 carries (55.9%) given to the team’s tailbacks.
Taylor had at least 25 carries in six of UW’s 14 games, for a total of 165 carries.
That was more than UW’s No. 2 and No. 3 runners – Bradrick Shaw (96 carries) and Garrett Groshek (61) – combined for all season.
Whether Taylor is asked to carry such a heavy load as a sophomore in 2018 depends in part on the contributions of the reserves – Taiwan Deal, Chris James, Groshek and freshmen Nakia Watson and Isaac Guerendo.
Deal and James have run the ball with confidence and authority through the first week of camp.
“Those two young men,” running backs coach John Settle said, “I like their
talent level.”
Groshek, who has been limited in camp because of an injury to his right hand, averaged 4.9 yards per carry last season. That was the No. 2 mark among the team’s tailbacks behind Taylor’s 6.6yard average.
Considering last season was his first at running back, it is reasonable to expect Groshek to be a better back in 2018.
With Shaw out indefinitely and still facing a long road back from a torn ACL suffered in the regular-season finale at Minnesota, the freshmen have an opportunity to earn carries, too.
Deal and James could play critical roles for two reasons. As seniors, they realize there is no more next season.
“Those guys know: ‘This is my last go-around,’ ” Settle said. “From a mental standpoint they are locked in.”
Both players have the talent to help UW win games.
Ankle injuries, which have required surgery, have plagued Deal during his time at UW. He was limited to six games in 2016 and missed all of last season after suffering a serious ankle injury in camp.
Yet when the 6-foot-1, 221-pounder is healthy he flashes an intriguing mix of speed and power.
The biggest test of camp comes Thursday when UW practices in full pads.
Settle said he's looking forward to see what Deal can bring to the Badgers.
“He is big. He is physical," Settle said. "From an athletic standpoint he has a great skill set. And he has shown up … he has looked really good.
“I’m trying not to get too excited until the pads go on but I’m excited to see what he does once the pads go on.
“If he is a young man who can stay healthy, he is going to help us.”
Deal is also more talkative and demonstrative than he was early on at UW and appears to be relishing getting work in practice.
“It looks like he is enjoying the game again,” Settle said, “and from a mental standpoint, as a running back, you have to be all in.
“You can’t be worried about getting injured or something being hurt. So far it has been great.”
James, 5-10 and 222, hit 405 pounds on the bench press earlier this summer.
“Chris James is one of the strongest guys on the team,” Settle said. “He is small in stature but he can really help us in a short-yardage package, which he did some of last year.”
James missed five games last season because of a knee injury suffered at Nebraska but showed his power by burrowing into the end zone from a yard out in the fourth quarter of the Big Ten title game. That helped UW pull within six points, though the Badgers failed to score again in their 27-21 loss to Ohio State.
Watson, 5-11 and 231, could find a niche in short-yardage or goal-line situations.
“We’ve thrown everything at him,” Settle said. “Like most freshmen, he’s probably not going to be able to learn it all.
“So now, what can he focus on? He may be a normal down-and-distance type of guy who learns (specific) runs and protections.
“And he may be a short-yardage or goal-line guy. Because the one thing we like is his size and his physicality.”
Guerendo, 6-0 and 194, is making the switch to tailback from wide receiver. He likely will redshirt this year but because of a new rule can play up to four games without losing a year of eligibility.
“We get four games to see what he can do,” Settle said. “I think how much he plays is going to be based on Taiwan, Chris and how well Nakia comes along.”