2015 Michigan Running Backs
How do you guys see the depth chart shaking out?
I see lots of talk about Green and Isaac and even Drake Johnson, but I feel like De'Veon Smith is the one who is best poised for a breakout season in Harbaugh's offense given his running style. He's a dependable north/south type of runner who can make the necessary cuts but doesn't depend on dancing around in the backfield like some runners do. He reminds me a lot of Brandon Minor (Minor was more shifty but his game was geared more towards runing through tackles rather than running around everybody).
I see Green continuing to run right into traffic too often, and MGoStrength's thread has convinced me that Drake Johnson will be injured again (or at least be too injury-prone to carry the load over the course of an entire season).
I anticipate the depth chart will end up as:
1. Smith
2. Isaac
3. Green/Johnson
4. Higdon/Shallman
Wildcard: if Norfleet is allowed back I could see Harbaugh putting him somewhere in the RB rotation.
While I agree with most of your comment, I'm not sure it's entirely fair to say they haven't performed well against good defenses, as I'm not sure our offensive line was up to that challenge last year. Not that I have much more faith in Green, but I don't know if it was only him underperforming against such teams.
3. Smith v. Green Loser
4. Higdon/Shallman
6. Johnson (I just think the injury will have a negative effect upon his ability to pass some of the other RBs)
I can see the job becoming a 2 back workload. The third guy may get left out or just scraps. Our RBs are very similar so it's not a speed/power change up.
1. Smith
2. Isaac
3. Green
4. Shallman
Sort of Hijacking but I’ll do wide receivers as well.
Wide-out
1. Darboh
2. Chesson
3. Ways
4. Jones
Slot
1. Cole
2. Canteen
3. Dukes
4. Harris
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I've heard he is a slot receiver.
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Let me rephrase that statement; I saw it on maize and brew.
Starter | Depth | Depth | |
WR 1 | Devin Funchess | Jaron Dukes/Csont'e York | Drake Harris |
WR 2 | Freddy Canteen | Jehu Chesson | Da'Mario Jones |
WR 3 (Slot) | Dennis Norfleet | Amara Darboh | Drake Harris |
http://www.maizenbrew.com/2014/7/17/5910637/michigan-depth-chart-projec…
It appears that he is a slot,and wideout.
Is he a slot in eyes of Drevno / Fisch / Harbaugh eyes?
Isaac/Shallman
Smith
Green
Green seems to carry that entitlement label. Maybe not tough enough. I was pumped for him to come to Michigan. But he needs a fire lit under his ass.
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Yeah, I'm with you. If Drake his healthy I think he's our best back, but he's not that far removed from his ACL and I have have doubts about his ability to remain healthy. I'm not sure on Isaac yet. He seems to have a good combination of skills, but we just don't know what to expect of him yet and I've heard Magnus hint at the idea that the coaches don't like his mentality, and you know Harbaugh...that won't fly. Smith is a tough, reliable runner and my hunch is he's our #1 guy if healthy. If the o-line can create holes and the QB can complete passes without turning the ball over Smith should be good. He won't break a lot of long runs, but I think he's good at getting first downs. Green seemed to be the default guy under Hoke's staff even though I personally never thought his play warranted it. Maybe he played much better during practice, IDK. He obviously was a high level recruit, so maybe that played a part in Hoke's committment to him. I haven't seen anything that makes me believe Shallman is a B1G RB. It's hard to say much about Higdon until we see him play. So, I think it will be Smith as the #1 with everyone else fighting for the #2 spot. Heck, throw Peppers back there on occasion. I'm sure he could break some big plays.
coaches these guys up and how they perform behind an offensive line with competent coaching.
Good point! With the extra allowable access (pre-existing relationship), perhaps Ty is coaching up T.J. to be a monster RB!
One thing I remember from Hoke before he departed was a comment about how good a football player Isaac was. He seemed to be hinting at something in his avuncular manner.
Isaac wins the starting job. Then Green. Then Smith.
might not be a good thing.
The guy who only played our best running back last year when every other option was hurt? I'll skip on cheering that analysis by Hoke.
That said, the best case for UM would be if Isaac is the real deal and Drake is back to full health. The same line that "created no holes vs real defenses" for Smith or Hayes suddenly had them with Drake-because he hits holes hard and doesnt dance.
Can't really say who's going to start until Fall Camp, but even with the info I have right now I can't tell. Neither Green or Issac had one snap in the Spring Game (why didn't they anyway??)
http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/mich/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2014-…
And IIRC Isaac either was hurt or got hurt on his one carry.
Drake J was the most impressive runner M's had since Fitz's breakout year in 2011. If he's healthy, he should start. I'm saying this having seen maybe 3 carries from Isaac at USC.
Both guys had BURST when they were healthy. Fitz had a great sudden accelleration to get though the holes in 11. He struggled with that after the injury.
Drake has tons of BURST.
Its the #1 factor in separating a top flight RB with the rest of them.
Higdon the Fr. RB from Florida has BURST....watch and see.
I haven't seen Issac play, but from what i saw from our RBs last year a healthy Drake Johnson is our best back and frankly I don't even think it is close.
Ty Isaac is the x-factor, but I would agree that Drake is better than Green and Smith, as crazy as that may sound based on their respective recruiting rankings. Drake was considerably more successful last year behind the same O-line than both Green and Smith.
Of course, Drake is recovering from ACL tear #2...
I also think Smith will work his way into the rotation. His style is a lot like a running back that Harbaugh wants in his offense. My bet is the season starts in a by committee approach, but Isaac works his way to the forefront by season's end, with Smith being a solid #2 option.
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Drake Johnson is the only RB on this team that has shown us anything at all.
I don't believe vision is something that can truly be taught, and I haven't seen anything to indicate that Green or Smith have it.
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1. Isaac
2. Green/Smith
4. Johnson
Isaac is the most talented back in our stable from what Ive seen. Isaac may have only played in garbage time at SC but he flashed more ability than Green or Smith ever have. I believe we we will rotate backs in and out so Green and Smith should get a decent amount of carries. Smith runs hard but he is just far too slow to be our premire back. Johnson is coimg off his second ACL, it's hard to see him getting back to his peak.
1. Isaac
2. more Isaac
3. Green/Smith
I read somewhere that he is really strong for a kid his age and a weightroom warrior.
Coming out of high school he was 190 lbs but benched 365 and squatted 445. I can only imagine what kind of gains he has made with the Michigan S&C coaches.
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