Wisconsin star makes bold claim about nation's top running back

The Big Ten doesn't lack talented running backs, as the conference produced five 1,000+ yard rushers last season and eight who scored double-digit rushing touchdowns.

But who's the best of the bunch? Braelon Allen, Wisconsin's star running back, thinks the answer is easy. 

"I feel like I’m absolutely the best running back in the country heading into next season," he said in a recent interview with Max Chadwick of Pro Football Focus.

Although bullish, Allen's claim is not without merit. 

During his first two seasons with the Badgers, Allen -- who turned 19 in January -- established himself among the Big Ten's elite. In two seasons, he has amassed 2,510 yards rushing, averaged six yards per carry and scored 23 rushing touchdowns.

Allen's consistency last season -- 230 rushes for 1,242 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns -- was impressive given the tumultuous state of Wisconsin's program. 

In early October, the Badgers fired longtime head coach Paul Chryst after starting the season 2-3 and 0-2 in the Big Ten. The Badgers finished 7-6 overall and 4-5 in the weak Big Ten West. It was the team's worst record since 2008, and interim head coach Jim Leonhard was not retained after the season.

Instead, Wisconsin hired Luke Fickell as head coach, poaching him from Cincinnati, where he led the Bearcats to the College Football Playoff in 2021. 

The new coaching staff and reinforcements via the transfer portal (namely quarterback Tanner Mordecai from SMU) should set up Allen for his best season yet. But he may not be the best running back in the country, let alone the Big Ten.

In 2022, Blake Corum -- the shifty, bowling ball bruiser from Michigan -- finished 11th in the nation in rushing yards (1,463) and tied for third in rushing touchdowns (18). Before he suffered a season-ending knee injury in November, he had a streak of eight 100-plus yard rushing games, scoring at least a TD in each.

Many might argue that Corum, who will return for a fourth season at Michigan, is the conference's best running back.

Of course, this debate will be settled on the field. For now, Allen will be focusing on returning the Badgers to their familiar spot atop the Big Ten West standings. 

Should things go as Allen envisions, the 2023 season will be his last as a Badger. As he stated plainly to Chadwick, "The ideal plan is for me to have a great year and declare for the draft." 

If Allen's plan comes to fruition, he might hear his name called on the first day of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Will he be his conference's best runner in 2023, though? That remains to be seen.