2015 Michigan Running Backs

Submitted by Dawkins on

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. 

MGoBoard

ClassOf14

July 19th, 2015 at 9:56 PM ^

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. 

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814 East U

July 19th, 2015 at 5:29 PM ^

1. Isaac/Smith v. Green winner
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.

Joined: 10/24/2012

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OaklandInPlay

July 19th, 2015 at 5:31 PM ^

 

 

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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OaklandInPlay

July 19th, 2015 at 8:27 PM ^

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. 

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Filipiak1

July 19th, 2015 at 5:32 PM ^

I'm going with ...
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.

Joined: 12/28/2013

MGoPoints: 1104

MGoStrength

July 19th, 2015 at 5:35 PM ^

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.

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blueblueblue

July 19th, 2015 at 5:36 PM ^

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. 

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alum96

July 19th, 2015 at 8:47 PM ^

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. 

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JonnyHintz

July 19th, 2015 at 9:47 PM ^

This has been my argument for some time. Our line was by no means a fantastic line. But we had a QB in Devin Gardner who would hold onto the ball for far too long and look off wide open receivers, which resulted in a lot of lost yards from Gardner (and turnovers). We also had Green/Smith with the issues of dancing in the backfield, vision issues, and not hitting holes hard. Which resulted in lost yardage or very short gains. Johnson gets carries and all of a sudden he's knocking out 5-6 yards a carry. I don't think the OL was nearly as bad as they seemed, simply as a result of issues from the QB and RBs. Simply having a QB who is okay with taking the short 2-5 yard dump off passes and a running back willing to hit the hole hard and keep the feet moving through contact, and you have an efficient offense. That alone would have cancelled out the majority of lost yardage plays and turnovers that the offense had last season.

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amir_6

July 19th, 2015 at 5:40 PM ^

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??)

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CR7

July 19th, 2015 at 5:40 PM ^

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.

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CoverZero

July 19th, 2015 at 9:19 PM ^

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.

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Albatross

July 19th, 2015 at 5:55 PM ^

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.

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MGoPoints: 1957

jaydubya

July 19th, 2015 at 6:28 PM ^

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...

Joined: 11/14/2013

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Perkis-Size Me

July 19th, 2015 at 6:04 PM ^

While my bet's on Isaac to be the "official" starter because he looks like the most complete back on the roster, all the running backs have a clean slate in my book. They each ran behind an atrocious offensive line for the last two seasons, so we really don't know the extent of how good any of them can be, especially now that they have actual coaching.

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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Bodogblog

July 19th, 2015 at 8:39 PM ^

the run blocking of the OL wasn't that bad last year. Really wasn't. The playcalling was incredibly limited because our QB couldn't stop turning the ball over, and a new scheme had to be kept simple. There were plenty of holes to run through, it's just that both Green and Smith lacked the patience or vision to hit them consistently. Brian's done a good job documenting that and it was true. The OSU game wasn't anything special in terms of playcalling, it's just that Johnson found the cracks, had the patience, and accelerated when he needed to, getting most of the yards the OL provided. He missed some holes as well, but was generally very good. He's by far the best known commodity, but the injury causes doubt.

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MGoCarolinaBlue

July 19th, 2015 at 6:20 PM ^

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.

Joined: 03/19/2013

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OldMaize16

July 20th, 2015 at 9:45 AM ^

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.

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mastodon

July 19th, 2015 at 6:36 PM ^

Thought I heard Higdon is working his ass off this summer. No red shirt for him - he'll play because he'll be one of our better options, complementing one of the aforementioned big backs.

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