Thanks in large part to the presence Montee Ball and James White on the roster for at least another season apiece, John Clay opted this past January to forego another season of college ball and make himself available for the April NFL draft.
Probably thanks in large part to the very same twin set of circumstances, Wisconsin has “lost” another member of its talented backfield.
In a release, Wisconsin announced that running back Zach Brown will not return to the Wisconsin football team in 2011 and will explore his options to transfer. The move makes complete sense for the senior as he would’ve been stuck behind the dynamic duo of Ball and White, who combined to rush for more than 2,000 yards and 32 touchdowns last season.
“We would like to thank Zach for all his contributions over the last four years,” head coach Bret Bielema said in a statement. “He decided it was in his best interests to explore his transfer options. Because he has taken care of his business academically, he has the chance to go somewhere and play right away. He is a great person and player and has handled himself the right way throughout his four years at Wisconsin. We wish him the best of luck in his future.”
“I’d like to thank my coaches, teammates and all the Badger fans for the last four years,” Brown said. “I’ve had a great experience at the University of Wisconsin but just felt it was in my best interests to explore other options.”
Brown is scheduled to graduate from UW in August with a bachelor’s degree in history and, as a result and as alluded to by Bielema, he will be eligible to play immediately at a Div. 1-A school, provided he enters into a graduate program not offered at his former school.
During his three-year Badger career, Brown, who came to Madison from Royal Palm Beach, Fla., rushed for 1,152 yards (4.8 ypc.) and 11 touchdowns.