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The New York Jets’ backfield has taken on a new face, and that face is young, powerful, and full of potential. Former Wisconsin Badgers star Braelon Allen, just 20 years old, is quickly making a name for himself in the NFL.
Allen showed his skills in his second preseason game against the Carolina Panthers, where he carried the ball eight times for 27 rushing yards and caught two passes for 12 yards.
Allen’s journey to the NFL started when he was a 17-year-old standout for Wisconsin. Over three years, he racked up 3,494 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns. Even back then, his talent caught the eye of many, including Aaron Rodgers, who now shares the field with him.
The Jets’ head coach, Robert Saleh, sees immense potential in Allen. After the game against Carolina, Saleh praised Allen’s strong route-running, protection skills, and powerful running style.
With this impressive performance, Allen has secured the No. 2 spot on the Jets’ running back depth chart, right behind star Breece Hall.
What makes Allen’s story even more interesting is the Jets’ overall strategy. According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Jets now have the youngest running back room in the NFL, with an average age of just 22.8 years.
This group, nicknamed “Generation Z4,” includes Hall, Allen, Isaiah Davis, and Israel Abanikanda, all under 23 years old.
The Jets are clearly embracing a new approach with younger talent. Last season, they leaned heavily on veteran Dalvin Cook, but after he didn’t quite deliver, the team’s focus has shifted to bringing in fresh, young players.
Now, with Allen and his young teammates leading the way, the Jets are changing how they approach their offense.
Allen’s relationship with Aaron Rodgers, who could practically be his dad, makes for an interesting dynamic on the team.
Rodgers, who once saw Allen dominate in the Big Ten, is now handing him the ball. So, it’s a clear sign that the team is embracing fresh talent.
Breece Hall, the top back on the team, finds it funny that he’s considered the veteran at just 23. At the same time, the camaraderie in the group shines through, with Hall recognizing Allen’s distinct style and the new energy he brings to the team.
Hall even joked that they were calling themselves the “Killer Bs,” hinting at the impact they were planning to make on the field.
Allen’s combination of size and strength makes him stand out. At 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds, he’s often compared to Derrick Henry, known for his tough running style.
And this physicality was evident during the preseason when Allen locked in his spot as the Jets’ second option behind Hall.
Isaiah Davis, another young running back, brings his own set of skills to the table. While he’s not as big as Allen, Davis is an instinctive runner with enough speed to be a threat.
With a standout preseason performance, including a 24-yard catch, Davis is also making a case for a significant role.
Even though running backs aren’t as highly valued in today’s NFL, Jets’ general manager Joe Douglas continues to invest in them.
Over the last five drafts, he’s picked at least one running back each year, creating a deep and competitive roster. And luckily enough, This strategy seems to work, as the Jets now have a strong group of young running backs.
As the Jets gear up for their first regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers, all eyes are on Braelon Allen and his young teammates.
The big question is whether their youthful energy will translate into wins on the field. But one thing’s for sure: the Jets’ backfield, led by Allen, is definitely worth watching.
Allen himself is fully aware of his role and what he brings to the team. “I’m kind of the outlier in the way of size, so I know what I’m here to do—and that’s to play smashmouth football,” he said.
With each game, he’s proving that he’s ready for the challenge, carrying the hopes of the Jets’ future on his broad shoulders.
The Jets are confident in their decision to go young in the backfield, and with players like Braelon Allen leading the charge, they just might have found the winning formula.
As Robert Saleh said, “We feel like we’ve got some legitimate runners all across the board.”
And with Allen’s powerful running and the youthful exuberance of the entire backfield, the Jets are poised to make a mark this season.