BYU football: Get to know the Wisconsin Badgers

Like always, the Badgers have a number of running backs that are talented. Jonathan Taylor, Chris James and Bradrick Shaw have taken 74 carries for 510 yards. What do each of the three bring to the table?

Noah Seligman: Correct, Wisconsin’s stable of running backs is never bare. This year, the trio you highlighted in your question is expected to carry to the load with a shifting depth chart.

Thus far, it’s been the Jonathan Taylor Show after two weeks. The true freshman has shown all the traits to be a special player for the Badgers. He has power, pace, vision and balance – and he should continue to get the bulk of the carries until further notice. He did fumble fighting for extra yards, so BYU football’s defenders would be wise to swipe at the ball as they gang tackle Taylor.

Pitt transfer Chris James had a disappointing debut with a bad penalty and a fumble on back-to-back plays. But, he bounced back nicely to just creep over 100 yards against FAU. He definitely ran with more urgency and showed some impressive strength, trucking some would-be tacklers.

Bradrick Shaw played sparingly last year as a redshirt freshman. He was buried on the depth chart behind seniors Corey Clement and Dare Ogunbowale. Shaw started the season opener against Utah State and did fine, but Taylor stole the show. Shaw then missed last weeks’s game with a leg injury. We’ll have to wait and see during practices this week to gauge his health. But there are no signs at this point that the injury is of long-term concern.