2015 Michigan Running Backs

I hope Isaac can step up. Green just does not have the vision to be a top back, while Smith lacks speed. I'll bet Green is at the bottom of the depth chart come week 5 or so.

Isaac. He is the best combination of size speed and passing threat out of these backfield. Smith will probably be the red zone back.

Wow! That's a LOT of running backs!

How will the coaches divide the practice and game reps?

With better coaching, better offensive line and better scheme I think Green finally shows his five star potential and breaks through with Isaac a close second.

Green is my vote. He was on pace for ~1000 yards last year And while people like to knock him for his lack of vision/toughness, he seemed to finally turn the corner before he injured his shoulder against Rutgers. He went through all of that off season conditioning and his cuts/burst/speed were much more prevalent in his game. (See his first run against Rutgers--that burst though. http://youtu.be/YhpJ93MDCW8 ) Hopefully an off season with Harbaugh and Wheatley will make him tougher to bring down. Lots of high step drills!! And while he might not be consistent yet, not one of our running backs have proved to be consistent. Smith had his troubles, and Johnson was great against Indiana and OSU but where was he for the NW game? I haven't seen enough of Ty Isaac to make him starter. He played in garbage time with an OLine that wasn't completely horrid.
I think we will see depth chart shake out like this:
1.) Green
2.) Isaac
3.) Smith (short yardage/red zone)
4.) Johnson (don't think we will see too much of him because of his injuries)
5.) Shallman/Higdon

I think Smith will get the bulk of the carries because he fits most with what Harbaugh wants and that's a tough,physical, north-south runner. Green for his size and hype has been underwhelming. Drake sure looked like the best rb I saw last season in his limited carries. Isaac is the wildcard. Was banged up during spring ball so I'm curious to how fall camp shakes out.

Considering that none of these guys were getting the proper development with the previous coaching staff, it's tough for me to say who will be where. The speculation is fun but who knows what kind of potential has yet to be unlocked from these kids with the right coaching! Green may be a lot better than many are speculating. We may have a situation at the RB position like the "nut heads" have at QB. I can hardly wait to see how things shake out.

on campus told me deveon smith will be the truth this year... take that for what its worth.

It will be like this:

1) Isaac

2) Higdon / Smith

3) Green

4) Johnson # could move up if truly healthy. 

I like Isaac for a quick contributor as he is a proven veteran.

Quite honestly with our new RB coach and the kids having another year under their belt I think we're going to have a BEAST stable of running backs.  Drevno's updates to our offensive line should make gaps a reality for these players to storm downhill.

Really really excited the pieces look like they're going to come together!

I'll say Derrick Green/Ty/Drake....deveon is a great north/south runner but just seems so slow. I don't see him being an every game back. No explosiveness.

I think Smith should start looking at fulback.  He is to slow for the B10 to start or get major carries at RB.  I like how tough he runs, but...

Green and Issac will be it until Drake is ready to challenge for reps.

Green has not impressed.  Unless he takes a giant leap forward his days are numbered.

Issac - Pray he is the real deal and he stays healthy.  He has size and speed if he can put it together with the needed toughness.

Drake ran better than anyone since Mike Hart.  I hope he comes back strong.  It was an exciting time with him carrying the rock.  

PS - I count Denard at QB not RB.                 

I thought Green was starting to put it together when he got injured last year. Regarding Deveon, I love how tough he is, but he's just so slow. I feel like he would have a lot of trouble with big, physical teams that tackle well. Regarding, Isaac, I know very little about him other than the fact that he had a good average in garbage time at USC.

With all of this said, I think Johnson's knee is the biggest factor for us at this position. He was by far the best back on the team last year.

I think Isaac will become the starter and feature back by the end, with Smith and Green 2a and 2b. I They each have their faults, I think Smith is really slow and has no burst, and Green has the vision and balance of someone who's about 8 beers down. I think Drake could very well end up passing Green and Smith on the depth chart if he can stay healthy. 

Isaac/Greene will be competing for starter status. By mid season Drake will be healthy again and may overtake the Isaac/Greene winner.

First 4 games: 1.) Isaac 2.) Green 3.) Drake. I could see Smith being that dependable N-S short yardage back.

After game 4.) Drake's health will improve and if can see the wholes like he did last season, he could be one of the better backs in the B1G. I suppose if either Isaac or Green are playing well it will be difficult for Drake just to take over. They both may have to falter in their starting status?

It would not surprise me if one of the younger backs takes over as starter?

It is wide open at this point.  Competition will determine the playing time.  This type of attitude will make the whole team better.

De'Veon runs harder than almost any back I've seen in the country. If only he had even average speed, the guy could be special. Or if other backs to learn to run with as much power as he has. He can be a great short yardage back where we just need someone run forward (maybe even line him up in the FB position). I hope Isaac is the real deal, which I think he might be. Johnson would have been the slam dunk starter if not for the injury, and I really hope he comes back at the level he was last season. Green unfortunately is great at much. Average speed, below average vision and balance. The worst is, he goes down way too easy for a back his size. Vincent Smith was harder to bring down than Green is.
1. Isaac
2. Johnson (if healthy)
3. Smith
4. Green

reminds me of BJ Askew. Random thought, I'm a fan of Green so im biased.

In my personal opinion, we can think what we want to think and judge past performance to come up with an answer, but with this coaching staff it is a completely new ball game. I don't think there's any way to have a clue as to who will start in the fall. Completely new coaching staff. New offensive to learn. And what I'm assuming is a lot more teaching to be had. Any one of these guys could all of a sudden "get it" and end up the starter. Last years performances may have had more to do with the coaching than the talent, and I think we will figure that all out once we see who is on top and how they perform. This is the cop out answer if anyone wants to join me.

Its a real shame that UM has 3 backs in the same class as OSU's Elliot that were ranked higher or in Smiths case just behind and yet none of them has done jack.  The only back on the roster that has shown any real instincts was a late addition and the least exciting commit..Drake Johnson. 

There is something to be said for instinct, a hard nose and desire at the RB position and so far its Drake and a bunch of uncertainty. I hope Drake is healthy and continues to kick the ass of the competition both in practice and on the field. 

Deveon Smith. He has the vision and in this new offense he will be a perfect fit. His one knock is not top end speed, it is his ability to hit the hole quickly. He can work on burst and explosiveness more than you can top end speed, so Im not worried. Ive been saying it since they were both seniors in HS; Smith will be a beast and Green should have been rated as a low 4 star and the #30 or so RB. Isaac will be a monster eventually. I think they are the perfect 1/2 punch. I would like to see Shallman as an H-Back, ala Aaron Shea. Higdon is the #3 back, assuming Drake isnt what he is. Much like our QB situation (next year more so), all these RBs is a great problem to have. Meritocracy at its finest!!!