RB updates: Tru Wilson officially 3rd RB; Higdon says he's completely healthy
Harbaugh said Tru Wilson is the No. 3 running back heading into the opener. "Just really improved in every area."
— Chris Balas (@Balas_Wolverine) August 28, 2018
Karan Higdon said he’s 100-percent healthy. Says he has no idea where the rumors came from.
— Zach Shaw (@_ZachShaw) August 28, 2018
Good to have some clarity on the position. Let's go beat ND!
August 28th, 2018 at 1:16 PM ^
Not bad for a walk on Safety.
August 28th, 2018 at 1:17 PM ^
Damn, I can't wait to watch this team!
August 28th, 2018 at 1:19 PM ^
These guys are gonna come out with a fire like none other!
You hear that thunder getting closer ND? That storm is headed straight for your house!
August 28th, 2018 at 1:21 PM ^
Great... a damn weather delay.
August 28th, 2018 at 1:25 PM ^
Side note, I would be so happy if the weather prediction got so bad that they moved the game up ala Maryland in 2015.
I know it won't happen, but a guy can dream right?
August 28th, 2018 at 1:28 PM ^
I am in favor of Michigan playing most of it’s games under the lights; however, I wouldn’t mind this game being played earlier. Road night games terrify me..except against Rutgers.
August 28th, 2018 at 1:41 PM ^
I didn’t think we played Sparty till later in the season??
August 28th, 2018 at 1:28 PM ^
Give the kid #32.
August 28th, 2018 at 1:30 PM ^
Also, just a little nugget regarding last years 3rd string RB and how much he touched the ball. Isaac rushed 88 times for 548 yards. (Per Steve Lorenz)
August 28th, 2018 at 1:42 PM ^
Isaac was around for a long time, but 548 years might be a stretch.
August 28th, 2018 at 1:45 PM ^
That's East Lansing level eligibility, there...548 years.
August 28th, 2018 at 1:44 PM ^
by my calculation that’s just over 6.2 years per rush - impressive endurance
August 28th, 2018 at 1:50 PM ^
Lol autocorrect.
August 28th, 2018 at 2:15 PM ^
Tru, but that was very front of the schedule heavy. He was very involved the first 3 games but after a 10 carry for 20 yard game against Purdue, the only game he had double digit carries the rest of the year was Rutgers, and then he didn't play again after that.
August 28th, 2018 at 2:43 PM ^
His MSU fumble cost us that game IMO, we had so much momentum going until that point. I think that's pretty much when we stopped seeing him. Or at least a lot less
August 28th, 2018 at 5:00 PM ^
Playcalling costs us the game. But that fumble was absolutely devastating.
August 28th, 2018 at 5:05 PM ^
Play execution cost us that game
August 28th, 2018 at 10:43 PM ^
Tom Brady couldn't execute a passing game in those conditions. How the hell would anyone expect O'Korn to successfully throw to a struggling WR group with terrible pass blocking in that kind of rain? Talk about setting yourself up for failure.
Foolish play calling lost us that game.
August 28th, 2018 at 2:57 PM ^
Higdon was 3rd string at the beginning of last season.
August 28th, 2018 at 3:09 PM ^
True, but Isaac also didn't get a single carry after Rutgers. But I also expect more of a passing threat, so I'd guess barring injury, Wilson probably gets 30-35 touches in our big 5 games (Ohio State, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Penn State), with another 60-70 touches in our blowouts and other games.
Also assuming he doesn't get passed up.
August 28th, 2018 at 1:33 PM ^
Tru dat!
The Tru is out there!
Is this a Tru/False question?
This is Tru-ly surprising!
August 28th, 2018 at 2:22 PM ^
There will be Tru and Consequences in South Bend on Saturday
August 28th, 2018 at 1:37 PM ^
But is Hobson healthy? :-)
August 28th, 2018 at 1:38 PM ^
O'Maury Samuels?
August 28th, 2018 at 1:49 PM ^
Getting late early, methinks. Turner was rumored to be the guy until he got hurt, and I wouldn't be surprised if he were back in the mix for #3 after he comes back.
Doesn't mean it's over, but it does mean it's late. Especially with the RB recruits coming in next year.
August 28th, 2018 at 2:05 PM ^
JH said he was right there so I disagree.
August 28th, 2018 at 3:48 PM ^
It's getting late for a guy starting his second year? Did you say the same thing about Higdon? He didn't really start coming on until half way through his 3rd year, and now look at him. Bigger learning curve coming from NM HS football for Samuels, he still has just as good of a chance as anyone given his physical abilities.
August 28th, 2018 at 4:37 PM ^
Actually, I was an early fan of Higdon's, starting with that famous One Run his freshman year. I liked his feet and his burst through holes. And he was getting on the field pretty frequently by his sophomore year, despite competing for carries with Smith, Isaac, and Evans; it was obvious that he was an important factor.
Samuels is looking up at not only Evans and Higdon but also Wilson and Turner, who are also young in the program.
At no point have I said that he's "done," just that it's "late early." As in, if he doesn't start developing and passing guys soon, he probably won't. Keep in mind that next year Evans presumably returns and we have two touted recruits in the pipeline. Even if neither of them are ready Samuels would be fourth in line if he doesn't pass someone. He needs to beat someone out.
August 28th, 2018 at 5:11 PM ^
If after this season he's barely seen the field and seems behind Tru and Turner, then I'll agree with you. I don't think it's to the point of "getting late" as has been traditionally used around here as according to some he was 3rd until he got hurt again, which opened the door for Turner, who in turn got hurt as well. I think we're still in "ask again later" mode at this point.
August 28th, 2018 at 2:09 PM ^
Samuels is a hell of an athlete and might want to ask coaches if he can focus on being a return specialist. The backfield isn't getting less crowded, and I think his skill set is perfect for a designated KR/PR role.
August 28th, 2018 at 1:44 PM ^
Tru is the real deal. Watched him in person take appart Orchard Lake St. Mary’s in a blow out win by De La Salle. That is no easy trick.
Go Pilots!
August 28th, 2018 at 4:58 PM ^
Is your screenname a reference to the former UM center John Vitale?
August 28th, 2018 at 9:03 PM ^
Yes, sir. Very perceptive of you.
I was a freshman when he was a junior at De La Salle. Walked by him on my first day of high school. He looked like a walking mountain!
Great Pilot and Michigan Man. Taken from us way too soon.
Sounds like Caesar Ruiz may be the same type of player. I hope so.
August 28th, 2018 at 1:50 PM ^
I'm going to start calling Tru Wilson Trillson.
August 28th, 2018 at 1:51 PM ^
I posted this thought in another thread but you it makes think that if Samuels isn't competing in 2019 than it is probably getting late for him early.
August 28th, 2018 at 1:51 PM ^
Good to hear about Karan. Let's hope his OL can really start opening some holes for him this season. If they can, boy oh boy look out.
August 28th, 2018 at 3:15 PM ^
Karan looks ripped like an NFL RB. I expect him to be a juggernaut this season. But yeah, if he's getting more daylight this year than last, it's going to be something special to watch.
August 28th, 2018 at 1:58 PM ^
I mentioned after last year's spring game that I thought Tru actually looked decent running the ball. I can only imagine how much he has improved with time and the added strength and conditioning focus. Wish him the best!
August 28th, 2018 at 2:28 PM ^
Add me to those who thought he looked really good in the 2017 spring game. There were a few runs that caused everyone in my group to do the old "who is that?"
August 28th, 2018 at 2:29 PM ^
Anyone else think it's wild Michigan reporters ask players about message board rumors without any supporting evidence behind them?
August 28th, 2018 at 3:48 PM ^
Tru Wilson being #3 is more a sign of poor recruiting than anything else.
August 28th, 2018 at 4:12 PM ^
I was referencing the Higdon injury rumor so not sure if you meant to reply to me.
I think it's too early for your take. At least see if Tru can play well first. If he can't, and they don't replace him or replace him with guys who look bad, then sure, maybe there's a gripe over RB recruiting not properly stocking the third guy who gets 50 carries.
August 28th, 2018 at 9:09 PM ^
You are most perfectly wrong. Tru is a sign of great recruiting. To get a player of the caliber of Tru as a walk-on, is a tribute to JJH’s eye for talent.
August 28th, 2018 at 10:01 PM ^
Great point I missed. Understandably we don't fixate on the walk-on program but it has been ramped up to as good as I've ever seen given the number of guys with academy, Ivy League and/or MAC offers.
August 28th, 2018 at 11:00 PM ^
This is accurate. Kingston Davis, Kurt Taylor, Hassan Haskins, O'Maury Samuels, and Christian Turner as a whole are unlikely to ever give us much production out of the backfield. Turner being the only guy to beat out a 3rd year walk-on is not promising.
August 29th, 2018 at 8:50 AM ^
It's as stupidly accurate as is stupidly claiming true freshmen won't contribute before their first game.
Honestly, does it get any dumber on this board than people thinking walkons on the depth chart means the coaches have failed? Stupid, stupid, stupid.
August 30th, 2018 at 1:02 AM ^
Or the cup is half full, the scholarship guys are great, and Wilson has Glasgow blood.
August 28th, 2018 at 3:51 PM ^
Pretty good pass blocker too. Good choice.
August 28th, 2018 at 4:32 PM ^
If you've observed both enough to make a guess, what does Wilson do better than Samuels in the eyes of the coaches?