Chez Mellusi, RB, Wisconsin
Size:
Height: 5’11” | Weight: 216 lbs
Accomplishments:
Four-star recruit
“Chez Mellusi is a veteran north/south, one-cut running back prospect with the talent to be a spot starter and rotational ball-carrier for a zone-based rushing offense.”
Strengths:
Tough, downhill runner
Contact balance
Vision to find running lanes
Patience behind blockers
Concerns:
Older prospect at RB
Lacks a second-gear/home-run speed
Pass-catching production
Coming off a season-ending leg injury
Film Analysis:
Chez Mellusi has played in two different offensive schemes during his time at Wisconsin. Mellusi is a one-cut north/south runner who plays with good contact balance and quickness to make plays with the ball in his hands. He is a volume back who needs the ball as much as possible to get into a rhythm and flow.
Mellusi has a sturdy, dense, NFL-ready build and frame. He’s a scheme-versatile back—Wisconsin ran both gap/power and zone. He understands how to read leverage from both schemes’ access points. He uses quick cuts as he adjusts to the leverage of the defense.
I like the physicality he brings as a ball-carrier. Mellusi consistently lowers his shoulder to drive through his opponents. He is a contact-seeker and run-finisher. He is productive in creating yards after contact—he almost reached three yards after contact per attempt for his career. His patience is great and Mellusi does not overrun the OL’s blocks. He slowly plays it until they engage a defender. He has quick feet and short-area elusiveness to evade peripheral defenders. He’s a willing blocker in pass pro and does not lack the fortitude to step up and protect his quarterback.
Mellusi has a solid combination of burst and speed but lacks a true second gear. Though he is usually patient, he can rush his process and miss opening lanes for access to potential bigger plays. He only had limited action as a receiver throughout his career. He could benefit from increased production to offer more third-down value. There are multiple occasions where potential big plays are stifled due to a defender swiping at his legs and thighs, successfully bringing him down. He is coming off a leg injury that cost him the final four games and spring practices. Mellusi has never operated as "the guy" for a season. He is an older prospect as a sixth-year senior. His overall potential/ceiling is capped/maxed out.
In conclusion, Mellusi projects as a rotational/backup RB with good size, strength, and speed to be a productive runner. He will be an effective ball-carrier off the bench to spell the offense’s lead back. His best work comes from zone run schemes where he can read the edges and cut up becoming a north/south runner. Overall, he reminds me of former Indianapolis Colts RB Donald Brown, with a similar build and running style.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Scheme Specific Contributor
Written By: Damian Parson
Exposures: Buffalo (2023), Washington State (2023), Nebraska (2022), Minnesota (2022)