Wisconsin

Unpacking Future Packers: No.74, Wisconsin RB Braelon Allen

Published

2 years ago

February 26, 2024

Unpacking Future Packers: No.74, Wisconsin RB Braelon Allen

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL draft.

If the Green Bay Packers don’t re-sign AJ Dillon, they’ll have to find a new running mate for Aaron Jones.

A running back that Brian Gutekunst could target to replace Dillon in the 2024 NFL Draft is Braelon Allen. The Wisconsin running back checks in at No. 74 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.

A Wisconsin native, Allen made a name for himself right out of the gates as a Badger, rushing for 1,268 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2021. During the 2022 campaign, Allen rushed for 1,242 yards and 11 touchdowns.

In 11 games this past season, Allen rushed for 984 yards and 12 touchdowns. He added 28 receptions for 132 yards.

“It may sound cliché, but he was the heartbeat of the team,” Christian Borman, a contributor for Badgernotes.com, said. “The offense ran through him in 2022. Then, instead of bolting to the transfer portal after they made the coaching change, he stayed. I think a lot of players and fans respected that.”

Allen is built like a tank. It will be interesting to see his official weight when he weighs in at the NFL Scouting Combine. While he’s not the most explosive back, he’s a powerful, strapping runner who could be a perfect complementary piece to Jones.

“He was a physical freak coming out of high school,” Borman said. “He was able to re-classify a year earlier and contributed to the program as a true freshman at 17 years old because he was physically able to. You can see it in his running style. He can run through arm tackles with ease and it often takes multiple players to take him down.”

Allen shreds arm tackles and keeps his feet driving at contact. When he reaches the second level he looks to punish second-level defenders. He’s able to pinball off defenders and racked up 682 yards after contact this season and 2,182 yards after contact for his career. He makes it a chore for defenders to get him down. He typically finishes forward.

“I think for a guy his size, you’d expect him to be able to run through opponents, but his balance jumps out at you,” Borman said. “He can run through you or bounce off of you. He’s never going to be the fastest guy on the field, but he makes up for it with his strength.”

During his first two seasons as a Badger, Allen accounted for 21 receptions. This past season, in a new offensive system, Allen hauled in 28 receptions. He shows soft hands and was charged with just one drop on 30 targets this past season.

He’ll likely never be a featured receiving back, but he’s a serviceable check down back.

“I think this is a similar case to Jonathan Taylor when he was entering his final year at Wisconsin,” Borman said. “He was primarily a running threat and not featured often in the passing attack. I think Paul Chryst tried to get Taylor more involved in the passing game because he was a threat with the ball in his hands and to potentially showcase his pass-catching ability for the next level. Allen’s situation is different because the Badgers transitioned from a pro-style offense he spent his first two seasons in, to an air raid offense under Phil Longo. In Longo’s scheme, you have to be able to throw the ball back in check-down situations. I think that’s the biggest reason you saw the bump in his receptions this year compared to his previous two. I think he is still going to be a work in progress as a pass-catcher in the NFL. I don’t want to make the comp just because of size, but I think he could be like AJ Dillon. Serviceable as a pass-catcher, but he’s probably not going to be a guy teams have to focus on stopping in the passing game.”

Fit with the Packers

Jones is set to turn 30 in December and currently has one year left on his contract. The Packers need to find a way to extend his career and adding a back like Allen that could help take the load off could go a long way in helping Jones fresh.

Allen has the size and strength to be the perfect complementary piece to Jones. When the New York Giants had Tiki Barber and Ron Dayne they called that duo Thunder and Lightning. The pairing of Jones and Allen could be Green Bay’s version of Thunder and Lightning.

“I think he could be a featured back for a team in the NFL, but I think he would work well as a part of a one-two punch with another back that compliments his playing style, similarly to Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon,” Borman said. “I think he’d be a solid mid-round pick to pair with another back on my team.”

Allen comes with obvious risks. He has 597 carries to his name and he’s not the most dynamic of backs. On top of that, he doesn’t offer a ton in terms of pass-catching ability out of the backfield.

On the flip side, Allen is a powerful runner who just turned 20 years old in January. His best football could be ahead of him.

Depending on what happens with Dillon, the Packers will need to find Jones a new running mate and potentially start thinking about life after Jones.

Allen isn’t a home run hitter, but he’ll keep coming to the plate and delivering singles and doubles. That wears on a defense. Adding him on Day 3 to pair with Jones seems like a match made in Wisconsin.

“I know running backs are seemingly a dime a dozen in the NFL, but young, productive running backs are always valuable,” Borman said. “He’s a young and physical back who just turned 20 years old in January. He’s a work in progress in pass-catching and pass protection, but that can be taught. You can’t teach his strength.”

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Wisconsin

Wisconsin Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Feb. 27, 2026

Published

3 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Wisconsin Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Feb. 27, 2026

The Wisconsin Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Feb. 27, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

11-18-39-43-67, Mega Ball: 23

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

Midday: 6-6-3

Evening: 9-7-8

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

Midday: 6-4-5-0

Evening: 1-9-8-8

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning All or Nothing numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

Midday: 01-02-03-09-11-12-13-15-16-17-19

Evening: 03-05-06-07-08-12-14-15-16-17-22

Check All or Nothing payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Badger 5 numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

08-10-11-21-25

Check Badger 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning SuperCash numbers from Feb. 27 drawing

06-21-22-26-27-30, Doubler: N

Check SuperCash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Prizes up to $599: Can be claimed at any Wisconsin Lottery retailer.
Prizes from $600 to $199,999: Can be claimed in person at a Lottery Office. By mail, send the signed ticket and a completed claim form available on the Wisconsin Lottery claim page to: Prizes, PO Box 777 Madison, WI 53774.
Prizes of $200,000 or more: Must be claimed in person at the Madison Lottery office. Call the Lottery office prior to your visit: 608-261-4916.

Can Wisconsin lottery winners remain anonymous?

No, according to the Wisconsin Lottery. Due to the state’s open records laws, the lottery must, upon request, release the name and city of the winner. Other information about the winner is released only with the winner’s consent.

When are the Wisconsin Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Super Cash: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 3 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 3 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
All or Nothing (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
All or Nothing (Evening): 9 p.m. CT daily.
Megabucks: 9:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Badger 5: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.

That lucky feeling: Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

Feeling lucky? WI man wins $768 million Powerball jackpot **

WI Lottery history: Top 10 Powerball and Mega Million jackpots

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Wisconsin editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Wisconsin

Wisconsin DNR opens 2026 elk season applications March 1, with more Central Zone tags

Published

15 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Wisconsin DNR opens 2026 elk season applications March 1, with more Central Zone tags

(WLUK) — Applications for Wisconsin’s 2026 elk season open next week.

The DNR says the application period begins Sunday, Mar 1 and will close on Sunday, May 31.

Selected applicants will be notified in early June.

For the third year in a row, there will be increased opportunity to pursue elk within the Central Elk Management Zone (formerly Black River Elk Range), as additional bull elk and antlerless harvest authorizations will be available through the state licensing system. The 2026 elk quota for the Central Elk Management Zone is six bull elk and six antlerless elk, up from a quota of four bull and five antlerless in 2025.

The Northern Elk Management Zone (formerly Clam Lake Elk Range) quota will be eight bull elk, subject to a 50% declaration by Ojibwe tribes.

During the open application period, applicants will have the choice to submit one bull elk license application and/or one antlerless elk license application, separately. Applicants can apply to any unit grouping with an associated quota for that authorization type (bull or antlerless). The order of drawing will be bull licenses first, followed by antlerless licenses. As a reminder, only one resident elk hunting license can be issued or transferred to a person in their lifetime, regardless of authorization type.

In 2026, there will be one continuous hunting season, opening Saturday, Oct. 17, and continuing through Sunday, Dec. 13, eliminating the split-season structure that was in effect from 2018-2025. This offers elk hunters more opportunities and flexibility to pursue elk in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin residents can submit elk license applications online through the Go Wild license portal or in person at a license sales agent. The application fee is $10 for each of the bull elk and antlerless elk drawings and is limited to one application per person, per authorization type. The DNR recommends that all applicants check and update their contact information to ensure contact with successful applicants.

For each application fee, $7 goes directly to elk management, monitoring and research. These funds also enhance elk habitat, which benefits elk and many other wildlife. If selected in the drawing, an elk hunting license costs $49.

Before obtaining an elk hunting license, all selected hunters must participate in a Wisconsin elk hunter education course. The class covers Wisconsin elk history, hunting regulations, biology, behavior and scouting/hunting techniques.

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Wisconsin

Winter transition will bring spring swings to Northeast Wisconsin

Published

1 day ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Winter transition will bring spring swings to Northeast Wisconsin

(WLUK) — Snow remains deep across parts of the Northwoods and the Upper Peninsula, even though much of Northeast Wisconsin has seen notable snow-melting heading toward spring.

It’s connected to a shift in Pacific climate patterns.

As of Thursday, 75.1% of the Northern Great Lakes area was covered by snow. Snow depth across the Northwoods and the U.P. ranges from 20 to 30 inches, with areas along and north of Highway 8 in Wisconsin at about 20 inches.

But farther south, significant snowmelt has occurred over the last few weeks across Northeast Wisconsin and the southern half of the state.

Looking ahead, an ENSO-neutral spring is looking likely, meaning Pacific Ocean temperatures are not notably above or below average. Conditions tend to be more normal and seasonal, though that does not guarantee typical weather.

La Niña occurs when the Pacific Ocean has below-average temperatures across the central and east-central portions of the equatorial region. El Niño is the opposite, with warmer ocean temperatures in those regions. Those shifts influence weather across the United States and globally.

In Wisconsin, a La Niña spring is usually colder and wetter, while an El Niño spring brings warmer and drier conditions. During a neutral period, neither El Niño nor La Niña is in control and weather can swing either direction.

Despite the snowpack up north, the 2026 spring outlook from Green Bay’s National Weather Service leans toward a low flood risk, because ongoing drought in parts of the state is helping to absorb snowmelt.

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Dry conditions are also raising fire concerns in several parts of the country. Low snowfall in states out west is increasing wildfire concerns, and those areas are already experiencing drought. Wildfire activity can increase quickly if above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation continue into spring. About half of the lower 48 states are in drought this week — an increase of 16% since January.

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