Wisconsin football 2020 returnee profile: Isaac Guerendo

During the summer doldrums of sports news, many college football fans are starved for news and information regarding their favorite teams.

With that in mind, we at B5Q have decided to take a more detailed look at each walk-on contributor and scholarship player on the Wisconsin Badgers football roster for 2020 in a running feature, our 2020 returnee profiles.

Each weekday we will breakdown one player on the football roster to look back at their recruiting process, their career as a Badger to this juncture and lastly preview their potential contribution to the team in 2020 and beyond.

Today we turn our attention to Isaac Guerendo.

Photo by Adam Davis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Name: Isaac Guerendo

Position: running back

2020 eligibility: redshirt sophomore

Recruiting info out of HS: 247 Composite 3-star, No. 133 wide receiver, Avon, Ind.

2018 recruitment: After a strong junior season on the gridiron, and taking home a state championship in the long jump, Isaac Guerendo was fairly lightly recruited across the FBS with offers from Air Force, Army, Ball State and Eastern Michigan. A blazing 4.38 40-yard dash at a Notre Dame football camp changed that quickly, as Wisconsin proceeded to offer him shortly thereafter. Only a few weeks later Guerendo opted to commit to the Badgers over his growing interest list.

As a senior the three-sport athlete, he excelled on the football field winning the Mr. Football award for the state’s top receiver, and also went on to win state titles in track for the 100 meter race with a time of 10.51, and lastly in the 4x100 meter relay.

Career statistics: 53 total yards from scrimmage and one tackle in special teams.

2019 statistics: 49-yard kickoff return, one reception for three yards, and one rushing yard.

Player overview: Known primarily for his speed, Guerendo is one of the fastest members of the team. In fact Jonathan Taylor has raved about his speed on a number of occasions. That elite skill paired with his current size (6-foot and 213 pounds) makes him an intriguing option in the backfield.

Originally brought into the program as a wide receiver, Guerendo has battled position changes and myriad injuries that have hampered his ability to see the field regularly.

Finally healthy, the speedster saw an expanded role in the final few games of 2019, first with his 49-yard kickoff return against Minnesota, and then in some packages during the Rose Bowl.

Best case scenario for 2020: A clean bill of health for an entire off-season allows Guerendo to hit the ground running in fall camp. He displays improved vision and a better overall understanding of the position, allowing him to flourish as a ball carrier.

The redshirt sophomore delivers a home-run threat to the Wisconsin offense to go with the bruising nature of Nakia Watson and third down capabilities of Garrett Groshek. On the season, Guerendo breaks out to the tune of 600 (or more) yards rushing and five touchdowns.

Likely role on team in 2020: Entering his third year on campus, Guerendo will be one of a handful of running backs vying for touches in the Wisconsin backfield. Watson and Groshek are the most established returning options, but Guerendo will also be in the conversation given his plus speed. All three tailbacks bring something different to the equation, making it possible for a three (or four) headed committee approach to be utilized next season.

I don’t anticipate him being the primary option like Jonathan Taylor was for the past three years, but he could earn get his fair share of carries, given how often the Badgers run the ball, with a strong fall camp.