Drake Johnson = ... Mike Hart?(!)

Submitted by Jasper on

In this Rivals article, a former UMich player compares Drake Johnson (by all other accounts, an awesome straight-line runner who has difficulty with lateral moves) to, of all people, Mike Hart (pretty much the opposite):

http://michigan.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1298177

Comparisons aside, I believe Johnson is one of the most interesting recruits in the class.

rman247

November 24th, 2011 at 3:15 PM ^

and with fumbling problems!  look I hope johnson turns into a fantastic player, and I have confidence that if Hoke offered him, he will, but he is not Mike hart.  He is more of a "breakaway" back.  He is the type of guy that will go for zero yards on three consecutive plays, and then the next drive crank out a 60 yarder.  He will be good, but significantly different than Hart.

Tater

November 25th, 2011 at 12:19 AM ^

He is the type of guy that will go for zero yards on three consecutive plays, and then the next drive crank out a 60 yarder./blockquote>

This sounds exactly like Tony Boles in High School. Boles, IIRC, played his last High School game on Johnson's home field, a playoff loss to Pioneer.

Life after football didn't treat Boles very kindly, but he sure was great to watch on the field.

In reply to by lbpeley

marmot

November 24th, 2011 at 8:17 PM ^

Did you really just cite "heart" and "ball security" when making a case for his questionable greatness? Sure he racked up yardage, but I'd take a victory over Ohio every time.

Funny you mention his ball security, as that was one of the -- wait make it the ONLY reason Michigan almost lost the biggest game/win of Hart's career.

XstompX

November 24th, 2011 at 8:28 PM ^

You're bringing up one football game when he had the ridiculous streak of touches without a lost fumble.  It's true that his ball security wasn't good in that game, but that doesn't take away from the fact that it was stellar throughout his college career.

jmblue

November 24th, 2011 at 9:18 PM ^

It shouldn't be difficult to match a Michigan running back who won very few big games, and never beat Ohio.

In the 2006 game, Hart carried the ball 23 times for 142 yards (6.2 avg.) and 3 TDs as the offense scored 39 points. Are you really going to hold that game against him?

I'd say beating then-#2 ND on the road in 2006 was a big win, as was the game against Florida and Urban Meyer.  Also, since we're now considering MSU a big game, it's worth noting that not only did we go 4-0 against them, but Hart recorded two 200-yard games (and two other 100-yard games) against them.

wresler120

November 24th, 2011 at 4:35 PM ^

Chris Johnson / Adrian Peterson mix when he runs the ball ... reminds of Calvin Johnson when he goes out for a pass and is eerily similar to Tom Brady when he throws a pass ...line him up in wildcat and I see flashes of Denard

DeepBlue83

November 24th, 2011 at 5:42 PM ^

If Hart had had Johnson's wheels, he'd have won a Heisman.

With as strong a recruiting class as this looks to be, we can probably afford to take a gamble on someone, and if you're going to do that, go with speed.  

jmblue

November 24th, 2011 at 9:21 PM ^

Well, one aspect of the comparison makes sense: they're both unheralded guys who put up insane numbers.   Really, how does a guy who rushes for 2,805 yards and 37 TDs as a senior not get rated more highly?