All good things must come to an end. On Tuesday, that end was for the Wisconsin Badgers’ star running back Braelon Allen, who announced on social media Tuesday afternoon he donned the cardinal red and white for the final time and is declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft.
The 19-year-old Fond Du Lac, WI native and two-time consensus second-team All-Big Ten recipient racked up 3,494 yards and 35 touchdowns in his three-year tenure at Wisconsin.
“Playing for Wisconsin and wearing the Motion W has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Allen said in a video posted to Twitter. “I was proud to carry on the incredible legacy of RBU and follow in the footsteps of so many great running backs.”
In his last two games as a Badger, Allen — fondly known as Agent 0 — racked up 227 yards and scored four touchdowns.
Against Nebraska on Nov. 18, Allen pushed in the go-ahead score for the Badgers and the winner in overtime to clinch bowl eligibility.
On Saturday at Minnesota’s Huntington Bank Stadium, Allen put the Badgers on the board and gave them the lead early in the third quarter to help them win back Paul Bunyan’s Axe. Allen’s 165 yards against the Golden Gophers marked the 20th time he hit triple digits in a game and propelled him to ninth on the Badgers’ all-time rushing list.
“I’ve tried to represent UW and my state with dignity and pride and I wanted to leave this program on even more solid footing than when I arrived, and I have no doubt the Badgers are headed in the right direction,” Allen said
Allen’s departure leaves Wisconsin with Jackson Acker and Cade Yacamelli heading the backfield in the upcoming bowl game. Graduate student Chez Mellusi, who is out for the season with a fractured fibula, is eligible for a sixth season in 2024.
“I want to thank everyone who has helped me along the way. There are far too many people to name, but I am extremely grateful. It’s always been my dream to play in the NFL and I believe I’m ready to chase that next step. I’m excited to announce that I’m declaring for the 2024 NFL draft,” Allen said.
CBS Sports ranked Allen as the top running back prospect coming into the draft as of Nov. 28.
For Allen, the next step will likely involve different colors, but the memories will last forever.
“Once a Badger, always a Badger,” Allen said. “On, Wisconsin.”
Tomer Ronen is the Features Editor for the Daily Cardinal. He has covered protests, state politics, sports and more. Follow him on Twitter at @TRonen22.
