How Braelon Allen Has Transitioned to a New Offense
The world of college football is ever-changing, with teams constantly adapting to new schemes, coaches, and players. For Braelon Allen, a talented running back for the University of Wisconsin Badgers, transitioning to a new offense has been a crucial part of his development as a player. In this article, we’ll explore how Allen has adapted to the Badgers’ new offense and what this means for his future in the sport.
What’s Changed for Braelon Allen?
Under the guidance of head coach Paul Chryst, the University of Wisconsin Badgers have undergone a significant overhaul of their offense. In 2020, the team switched from a traditional pro-style offense to a more modern, spread-based attack. This shift has required Allen and his teammates to adjust their playing styles and learn new assignments.
Key Adjustments Made by Allen
To successfully transition to the new offense, Allen has made several key adjustments:
- Increased emphasis on speed: The spread offense emphasizes speed and agility over brute strength. Allen has focused on improving his quickness and agility, allowing him to make more decisive cuts and elude defenders more effectively.
- More flexibility in the backfield: In the pro-style offense, running backs often lined up in a traditional I-formation. In the spread offense, Allen has had to become more comfortable with a variety of alignments, including shotgun and pistol formations.
- More involvement in the passing game: The spread offense places a greater emphasis on the passing game, with running backs often serving as receivers and blockers. Allen has had to develop his receiving skills and become more effective as a blocker to help create holes for himself and his teammates.
Successes in the New Offense
Allen’s efforts to adapt to the new offense have yielded impressive results:
- Rushed for over 1,000 yards: In the 2020 season, Allen became the first Badgers freshman to rush for over 1,000 yards, finishing with 1,268 yards and 12 touchdowns.
- Averaged 6.5 yards per carry: Allen’s improved speed and agility have allowed him to average 6.5 yards per carry, a significant increase from his 4.5 yards per carry in the 2019 season.
- Improved receiving skills: Allen has become a reliable receiver out of the backfield, hauling in 17 receptions for 137 yards in the 2020 season.
Comparison to the Previous Offense
To better understand the impact of the new offense on Allen’s game, let’s compare his performance in the 2019 season (pro-style offense) to his performance in the 2020 season (spread offense):
| Statistic | 2019 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Rushing Yards | 536 | 1,268 |
| Rushing Attempts | 103 | 194 |
| Rushing Touchdowns | 5 | 12 |
| Receptions | 7 | 17 |
| Receiving Yards | 54 | 137 |
| Yards per Carry | 4.5 | 6.5 |
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
While Allen has made significant strides in adapting to the new offense, there are still challenges and opportunities ahead:
- Continuing to develop receiving skills: Allen has shown promise as a receiver, but there is still room for growth. He’ll need to continue to work on his routes and footwork to become a more reliable target out of the backfield.
- Improving as a blocker: As a running back, Allen is often asked to block for his teammates. He’ll need to continue to develop his blocking skills to help protect the quarterback and create holes for himself and his teammates.
- Facing tough opponents: The Badgers’ schedule in 2021 will feature several tough opponents, including Iowa, Minnesota, and Michigan. Allen will need to be able to perform at a high level against these top-ranked teams to help lead the Badgers to victory.
Conclusion
Braelon Allen’s transition to the new offense at the University of Wisconsin has been nothing short of impressive. Through hard work and dedication, Allen has adapted to the spread offense, improving his speed, agility, and receiving skills. As the Badgers continue to navigate the challenges of their schedule, Allen will be counted on to lead the team’s offense and help the team achieve success. With his talent, work ethic, and adaptability, there’s no reason to believe that Allen won’t continue to thrive in the spread offense and beyond.
