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Wisconsin Badgers running back Chez Mellusi is one of the nation’s most underrated college football players.
Mellusi, who began his college career at Clemson, leads the Badgers in rushing and averages nearly five yards per carry over the six-year college football career.
But now it appears that career is over after Mellusi suddenly stepped away from football this week to heal from multiple injuries.
Injuries have severely hampered Mellusi throughout his career. He played 12 games as a freshman for Clemson in 2019. But he played just nine in each of the next three seasons and only appeared in four games a year ago.
“We want to let people know that Chez is going to be stepping away from the team for now and working to get his body healthy,” a team statement regarding Mellusi’s decision read. “He’s endured many injuries and has worked extremely hard to be able to play this year, but his body hasn’t responded the way he expected. We’re here to support Chez in any way we can and hope he’ll be back on the football field again one day.”
Mellusi marks the second big-name starter that the Badgers and head coach Luke Fickell have lost this season. Starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke suffered a torn ACL in a 42-10 loss to Alabama in Week 3.
Mellusi’s decision comes after Fickell suggested changes to his running back rotation on Monday.
“I don’t know that you can play four or five running backs. We’ve got to focus on who’s going to be the one, who’s going to be the next guy, and then who’s the spare,” Fickell said.
In a bit of irony, Fickell also criticized sixth and seventh-year college football players prior to the season. Should Melussi seek a medical exemption, he could return for a seventh season in 2025.