Could De'Veon Smith Play Fullback Next Year?

Submitted by Mich OC on

I will qualify this by saying I am not the biggest De’Veon Smith fan.  Watching him miss cutback lanes and barrel hopelessly into piles of humans each week is getting increasingly frustrating.   I do love how hard he runs every game and how much effort he plays with.  However, with him I see a tough, physical back with great balance, below average speed/quickness, and vision and elusiveness that are both well below average for an upper echelon Big 10 running back.  In other words, a fullback. 

The roster currently lists him as 5-11, 228 pounds, which is a little light by fullback standards.  By comparison, Kerridge is listed at 6-0, 249 and Houma is listed at 6-0, 243.  However, it wouldn’t be too much to ask to have him put on 12+ pounds this offseason to obtain the requisite bulk for the position. 

With Drake Johnson looking more impressive as a RB, and several other running backs waiting in the wings, they could start giving him some work at FB during the bowl practices and see how he does.  He would then have the bowl practices, and both spring and fall practice to learn and practice the position. It seems safe to assume he would be a willing and able blocker, as long as his vision issues don’t carry over into missing blocking assignments.  He would also present a huge threat getting carries and catching passes out of the backfield as a fullback.  Thoughts?  

MGoBoard
Football

Harlans Haze

November 9th, 2015 at 2:14 PM ^

If any RB switches to FB, it should be Green, if he sticks around. He's just too big to be an effective RB. His one (?) carry, he showed no burst of speed and no ability to cut or jump. The man's legs are mammoth, but he doesn't seem to be able to use them as an Earl Campbell or Jerome Bettis did. I'm not sure what his blocking skills are, but, there's no way he's going to be a TB on this roster, come next year.

Joined: 11/26/2014

MGoPoints: 2149

jbibiza

November 9th, 2015 at 2:58 PM ^

He's a true freshman PWO listed at 6'1" and 200 lbs. Came in as a safety or RB, but with his genetic makeup and Glasgow toughness it is not that hard to imagine him as a 230 - 240 pound FB... and the next one in the family in line for the Order of Kovacs.

Joined: 10/08/2009

MGoPoints: 7389

Mich OC

November 9th, 2015 at 2:57 PM ^

Green has not been a good blocker and goes down immediately at any contact.  He would be a terrible fullback.  My point is not that Smith should be moved because he is so bad at running back (though I think he is average at best), it was that I think he has the skillset to make a great fullback.  

Joined: 10/09/2014

MGoPoints: 554

WestSider

November 9th, 2015 at 1:38 PM ^

but I am comfortable with DSmith at running back. If Johnson improves and stays healthy, they likely split more carries. Until consistent speed presents itself in another form, I am a Smith fan.

Joined: 02/04/2011

MGoPoints: 5979

Magnus

November 9th, 2015 at 1:38 PM ^

I would be happy to see Smith playing fullback next year, but I doubt it will happen.

I was annoyed by Houma's burned redshirt in 2012, and I'm even more annoyed now. He should be our starting FB in 2016.

Joined: 07/17/2008

MGoPoints: 166009

Magnus

November 9th, 2015 at 1:55 PM ^

Bobby Henderson is the current third-stringer. He's a redshirt junior and stands 5'11", 240 lbs.

Then you have redshirt freshmen Nick Volk (5'10", 238 lbs.) and Deyanco Hardwick (5'11", 225 lbs.).

You also have people like Wyatt Shallman, Brady Pallante, Kingston Davis, and David Reese. Those last two want to play other positions (RB and LB, respectively), but it's a question mark whether they'll end up in the class or what spot they'll play. Personally, I think Davis has grown a little too large to stick at tailback unless he takes care of his body better, and Reese is at least a possibility to defect to Florida, Texas, Nebraska, etc.

Joined: 07/17/2008

MGoPoints: 166009

Michology 101

November 9th, 2015 at 2:14 PM ^

If we get Walker and he proves to be good enough to start next season, I would be all for Smith playing fullback in front of him. Smith is a big strong talented RB, who's just really slow, but those are traits of a great fullback. I don't think Smith is providing so much at RB to say switching him to fullback is totally ridiculous. Heck, half the time Smith is just putting his head down and running into the pile like a fullback anyway.

Joined: 06/02/2014

MGoPoints: 3799

MGOTokyo

November 9th, 2015 at 8:28 PM ^

We've seen Houma start to be included in the passing game recently and Smith certainly would add this from the fullback position.  If Walker comes and upgrades us at RB, I think Smith to fullback is win-win.

Joined: 11/20/2014

MGoPoints: 1438

Dawkins

November 9th, 2015 at 1:39 PM ^

lol this isn't thread-worthy but MSU beat writer Joe Rexrode is in a Twitter war with MSU fans right now. He's ripping them for being "illiterate" and referred to them as "meth heads." lolololol

Joined: 05/24/2015

MGoPoints: 5799

SAMgO

November 9th, 2015 at 1:43 PM ^

Speaking of FBs, another brutal burned Hoke redshirt is Houma. He's become a very versatile weapon out of the backfield for us and would be primed for a great senior year next season, but instead he exits alongside of Kerridge. Frustrating.

Joined: 07/15/2013

MGoPoints: 18745

Lie-Cheat-Steal

November 9th, 2015 at 1:50 PM ^

Would be a great running threat as a FB.  Not sure what kind of blocker he is, which is, well, only the most important requirement of the position.  

Really annoying that we burned Houma's redshirt. 

I think Shallman will need to become the man.  I have a lot of faith with Harbaugh track record developing TE and FB positions.  

I would suggest D Green because of his size, but he seems to trip over his own shoe laces or get blown down by a light gust of wind.  Really suck, I was hoping for huge progress from Green under the tutelage of Harbaugh, Wheatley and Co.

Joined: 10/14/2015

MGoPoints: -97075

Rhino77

November 9th, 2015 at 1:52 PM ^

If he can't hit the holes as a TB he probably won't hit them as a TB. That being said he was trucking along well until he hurt his ankle. I think he is playing through pain and giving the team all he can. He has been serviceable.



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 05/27/2011

MGoPoints: 14059

Lie-Cheat-Steal

November 9th, 2015 at 1:57 PM ^

Jabrill is pretty much the best player we have at any skill position we decide to put him at...besides QB, unless running spread option.

How good will our defense be next year, and is there more upside at putting him at RB for 25 carries a game then at his current hybrid CB, LB, Safety position?

I'm not a coach and it's quite obvious that he is vital to this year's defense, but he is also one of the 5 most explosive players in college football and could probably be Reggie Bush if given the opportunity.  

What maximizes the best output and outcome for the team in your opinions?  Would really be nice if we had one more of him to put on offense full time. A Pabrill Jeppers perhaps.

Joined: 10/14/2015

MGoPoints: -97075

buddhafrog

November 9th, 2015 at 2:07 PM ^

I want us to recruit Pabril Jeppers.

Also, I think next year Peppers will play more offense and a little less defense depending on the situation. But he will still primarily be defense. On offense you know when you want to use him so you can pick and choose. You rarely know when he will be needed on D so he will be out there almost always.

Whichever is needed for his winning Heisman campaign.



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 09/28/2009

MGoPoints: 21378

Trolling

November 9th, 2015 at 2:17 PM ^

I feel like - even with the insane amount of attention the media give to him - we as the casual observer still don't quite appreciate how crucial he is to our defense, and that no one else on the team can play his position. He essentially plays as the lightest, fastest linebacker in the country, which is why he is always around the ball (the perfect place for him to be, in my opinion). His position dictates that he cover recievers or tight ends, fills for run support, blitzes, and patrols the flat for screens. Pretty much the only thing he doesn't do is line up across from the O-line.  

Most defenses require at least three different players to do that, which is why teams can create mismatches. No one is a mismatch for Jabrill. 

Joined: 02/22/2012

MGoPoints: 1528