September 5, 2017 at 8:38 a.m.
Land O'Lakes native Ramesh happy with his role as a Badger
Land O'Lakes native Ramesh happy with his role as a Badger
But as the game evolved, the position did not. Fullbacks rarely touch the ball, save for short-yardage situations or an occasional pass to the flat.
The University of Wisconsin opened its season Friday at Camp Randall Stadium against Utah State, and Land O' Lakes native Austin Ramesh was the starting fullback.
At Northland Pines High School, Ramesh carved out one of the best prep careers for a running back in state history. His 5,939 yards rank third all-time in WIAA annals, and as a junior he racked up 441 yards and four touchdowns on 39 carries in a game against Ironwood, Mich.. Only six players have ever had more yards in a game.
Yet, as Ramesh gets set to begin his final season in Madison for the Badgers, he has just 17 career rushing attempts - all coming last season - and seven receptions during his 13 career starts.
It's a tale often untold. Players who are stars in high school become role players in college. For some it can be difficult to handle, but not for Ramesh.
"When you're talking about the fullback position you know going into it that you're going to get one, maybe two carries (per game)," Ramesh said. "It's just kind of a reward for going in there and hitting linebackers every play. You just know what your role is. It's tradition here. We've always had good fullback play here so I'm happy to fill that role and fit that tradition."
Throughout his college career, Ramesh has learned to go with the flow of playing major Division I college football.
He was heavily recruited as a fullback and a linebacker, and was signed by Wisconsin to play his dream position for his dream school.
He redshirted his true freshman season, but right before fall camp began the coaching staff moved him to fullback.
"I traveled quite a bit my true freshman year as a reserve guy in case they needed anybody in an emergency," Ramesh said. "So I traveled about half the year and I got to see all that stuff. I gained a lot of experience. You don't really get down not playing your true freshman year. It's part of becoming a mature player - learning all that stuff - whether you redshirt or not."
He earned his first letter in 2014, playing in seven games, starting two. He caught his first touchdown pass in his first career game against Western Illinois. In 2015, Ramesh started two more games and caught one pass. Yet, in his first two seasons, he didn't register a carry.
In his redshirt freshman season, the majority of the carries were given to Melvin Gordon as he nearly broke the NCAA FBS single-season rushing record, and the few carries that were given to the fullback in his first two seasons were assigned to primary starter Derek Watt.
"I carried the ball a lot in high school obviously, but coming here and playing in front of 80,000 people I wasn't worried about if I was going to carry the ball every play or if I was just going to be blocking," Ramesh said. "It's a pretty big privilege to be on the field either way, so I'm pretty happy that I got out there as early as I did and I can keep playing now."
With the graduation of Watt, who is now blocking for Gordon for the Los Angeles Chargers, an opening came for the starting fullback and Ramesh slid right in, starting nine games.
He also began to see the ball more, getting 17 carries for 58 yards, while also catching three passes for 24 yards. Moreover, Ramesh also found the end zone three times, including a touchdown run in an overtime loss to Ohio State in a primetime, nationally-televised game, and against Penn State in the Big Ten Championship Game.
Ramesh also got the call on a third-and-six play with 1:11 remaining in the Cotton Bowl and ran 10 yards to seal the win against previously unbeaten Western Michigan.
"It's a pretty good reward for us doing our jobs every play," Ramesh said. "Before I obviously played behind Derek Watt quite a bit and I got quite a bit of playing time, but I was playing behind him. He was getting those carries and passes every game and he's the one that led the way to show the coaches that we can get the ball and do something with it. So I was just kind of building off of him when he was here and now we get a few more opportunities because of that."
The 2017 season will be the last for Ramesh as a member of the Badgers, but if he can produce another strong season, it may not be his last football season.
Scout.com has ranked him the No. 19 fullback in the country this season, but with Wisconsin yet to name a starting running back, Ramesh could see a few more carries this season.
A big senior season as a lead blocker and making plays during the times he gets the ball could put him in line to make an NFL training camp next summer.
"I definitely look forward to that," Ramesh said. "But this year, our first game, getting through fall camp, that's my first priority right now. I'm definitely hoping to play after this, but I'm making the most of this year."
Nick Sabato may be reached at [email protected] or via Twitter @SabatoNick.
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