Wisconsin running back dismissed from program

The Wisconsin Badgers announced today that running back Jalen Berger has been dismissed from the program.

“Redshirt freshman running back Jalen Berger has been dismissed from the Wisconsin football program. UW head coach Paul Chryst announced Sunday,” wrote the program in a release.

Berger, a native of Newark, New Jersey, appeared in seven career games for the Badgers, carrying the ball 84 times for 389 yards and scoring three touchdowns. He also had four career receptions for 30 yards.

In Wisconsin’s win against Illinois, Berger was healthy but didn’t play for the second straight game. Afterwards, Chryst brushed the question aside when asked about Berger’s lack of playing time.

“You know I liked the way, uh, that Braelon [Allen] and Chez [Mellusi] were going and uh kind of, Schip (Brady Schipper) served a role for us that I thought was right for Schip this week,” deflected Chryst.

Jalen Berger was expected to be the starting running back for Wisconsin this season. Now, he’s been dismissed from the program.

The Puzzling Absence of Jalen Berger

Coming into the season, Berger was widely expected to become the next in the long-line of great Wisconsin running backs. However, now he’s not even a member of the Badgers football program.

Berger played in just three of Wisconsin’s games — against Eastern Michigan, Notre Dame and Michigan. In those appearances, the running back totaled 24 carries for 88 yards and a touchdown.

All season long, Berger was waiting for an extended opportunity that never came. When asked about it publicly, he continually stated that he was simply waiting for his number to be called.

It wasn’t — and now it won’t be again for the Badgers. However, the reasons remain unclear, as Chryst elected to deflect instead of answering questions about Berger. The only sure thing is that Jalen Berger won’t be playing for Wisconsin anymore.