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Jim Leonhard, then Wisconsin's interim coach, praised Isaac Guerendo's ability to overcome adversity after the running back rushed for 114 yards and a touchdown on Nov. 5, 2022, as the Badgers defeated visiting Maryland 23-10.
Bad luck seemed to hang over running back Isaac Guerendo’s head during his time at the University of Wisconsin.
Guerendo was a playmaker when he was healthy, but for the first four seasons of his college career that time was too infrequent and far between to see all of what he could be. A change of scenery, a different role and an outstanding draft season later and Guerendo has his chance to go from “what could've been” to NFL star.
Guerendo, who finished his college career at Louisville, was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL Draft on Saturday with the 29th pick in the fourth round, the 129th selection overall. The 49ers won the NFC last season and fell in overtime to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl. Guerendo won't be asked to be a starter, as the 49ers have a star running back in Christian McCaffrey, but Guerendo's skills as a receiver and his elite speed match the profile the 49ers seek.
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Guerendo had 582 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 99 carries at Wisconsin, then earned the No. 2 running back job with the Cardinals and posted career-highs in rushing yards (810), rushing touchdowns (11) and carries (132). He was originally recruited as a receiver and his catching abilities are a significant piece of his appeal at the next level. He had 358 receiving yards and a score on 22 career catches in college.
His showing at the NFL Scouting Combine led to Guerendo shooting up draft boards. He ran the fastest 40-yard dash of all running backs at 4.33 seconds, he had the highest vertical leap (41½ inches) and the second-best broad jump (10 feet, 9 inches) of the running backs. Guerendo's relative athletic score, or RAS, was a 9.99, according to Kent Lee Platte. That ranks second among 1,745 running backs tested at the combine since 1987.
Photos: Samantha Madar's favorite Wisconsin football photos from the regular season
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