The Badgers have a talented running back room. How many guys will play in 2025?

The Wisconsin Badgers have a youth-filled running back room in 2025, electing not to make any additions after seeing lead back Tawee Walker depart for the Cincinnati Bearcats in the transfer portal this offseason.

Instead, they’ll turn to a group that is led by redshirt freshman Dilin Jones and sophomore Darrion Dupree, who were the prized recruits from their 2024 class, with the latter playing as the backup as a freshman.

Behind the duo, the Badgers have redshirt freshman Gideon Ituka and redshirt junior Cade Yacamelli to round the group out, going with a smaller number of scholarship backs this season as Jackson Acker converted to tight end.

With the group they currently have, how many backs are the Badgers expected to use in 2025?

“I think it’ll start off being three [backs in the rotation],” offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes shared last week. “All three of those guys have shown that they deserve roles, and will get opportunities.

As we get closer to game planning, there will be certain plays that are designed for this guy or that guy.

“But, as you all know, you don’t go through a season, especially if you play this style of offense, with all those running backs healthy all the time.

And so I suppose, at some point, we’ll be rotating two and then maybe get another one back, and we’ll just see where it goes from there. But, to start with, we’ll play all three.”

Those three are likely in reference to Jones, Dupree, and Yacamelli, although the split between the trio is somewhat unclear heading into the season.

Jones and Dupree are two of the potential breakout stars for the team in 2025, as both should see considerable volume in Wisconsin’s run-heavy offense.

However, the Badgers did bring Yacamelli back with the promise of a bigger role after he was frozen out of the offense to end the 2024 season.

So, he should also figure into the mix, potentially as a third-down back, given his pass protection and receiving skills out of the backfield.

Of course, Wisconsin went with a deeper rotation last season between Tawee Walker, Chez Mellusi, Yacamelli, and Dupree to start the year.

But, head coach Luke Fickell switched the gameplan, wanting to allow some of the top backs more opportunities to get hot, which resulted in more reps for Walker and Dupree.

So, we’ll see if the Badgers shift to that again this offseason with Dupree and Jones, but injuries are always a factor at the running back position, so Wisconsin will need its room to stay active regardless.