Braelon Allen turns 18, commemorates 'end of an era' to Wisconsin Badgers meme with great tweet

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 30: Running back Braelon Allen #0 of the Wisconsin Badgers stiff arms defensive back Evan Fields #4 of the Arizona State Sun Devils during the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium on December 30, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 30: Running back Braelon Allen #0 of the Wisconsin Badgers stiff arms defensive back Evan Fields #4 of the Arizona State Sun Devils during the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium on December 30, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)

Anyone who tuned into a Wisconsin Badgers football broadcast this season was treated to the same nugget of information over and over.

"Braelon Allen is only 17!"

The oft-repeated fact caused Badgers fans to roll their collective eyes, just as all mentions of tight end Jake Ferguson as Barry Alvarez's grandson did.

But today, Allen's circumstances have changed. The freshman sensation from Fond du Lac turned 18 on Thursday, and he commemorated the moment with a perfect tweet.

In fairness, it's easy to see why announcers (and anyone else) were so fascinated by his youth. Despite it, Allen finished with 1,268 yards rushing for a 6.8 average per carry, with 12 touchdowns as a freshman. His performance earned him a spot on the Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-America Team, in addition to second-team all-Big Ten honors from both the coaches and media.

The four-star prospect was recruited on the defensive side of the ball, but after reclassifying into the 2021 recruiting class and graduating from high school early, the physically gifted Allen said in May that he'd be arriving on campus as a tailback.

The switch proved crucial for the Badgers when the running back room suffered a number of losses to injury and players parting ways with the team. By the time leading rusher Chez Mellusi was lost for the season with a knee injury, Allen was one of the last men standing.

More: UW freshman Braelon Allen shows his maturity by recovering from a lost fumble that led to a Purdue touchdown

More: UW freshman Braelon Allen acknowledges he felt worn down late in the season but feels fresher heading into bowl game

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 30:  Running back Braelon Allen #0 of the Wisconsin Badgers holds the championship trophy after the team's 20-13 victory over the Arizona State Sun Devils to win the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium on December 30, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 30: Running back Braelon Allen #0 of the Wisconsin Badgers holds the championship trophy after the team's 20-13 victory over the Arizona State Sun Devils to win the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium on December 30, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Allen saw the field immediately on special teams and got his first carries against Eastern Michigan in the second game of the season, but he really took off Oct. 9 against Illinois, when he racked up 131 yards on 18 carries for the first of seven 100-yard performances.

He capped his year with 29 carries and 159 yards on his way to the game MVP trophy in the Las Vegas Bowl, a 20-13 win for Wisconsin over Arizona State.

And yes, he did it all at 17. Now, he graduates to, "He's only 18 as a sophomore!" on the 2022 Badgers broadcasts.

JR Radcliffe can be reached at (262) 361-9141 or jradcliffe@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JRRadcliffe.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Allen's birthday means 'He's only 17!' comes to end for Badgers RB