Recalling class of 2016 RB talent
Now that *that* scenario has concluded, I decided to take a look back at last year's redshirted RBs... Their HS highlights look pretty damn good, and I'm really happy they're at Michigan.
Kareem Walker (6'0" ~205-210 lbs) senior highlights
Kingston Davis (6'1" ~230-240 lbs) senior highlights
Of course, high school RB highlights do not include pass pro. Nonetheless, fingers crossed that we see them do that kind of stuff against Staee and OSU.
(Sorry no embed... I'm somewhat of a luddite.)
January 9th, 2017 at 2:56 PM ^
January 9th, 2017 at 2:57 PM ^
We were just getting used to having them on the roster.
January 9th, 2017 at 3:04 PM ^
all the Smith runs for 0 yards?
January 9th, 2017 at 9:31 PM ^
January 9th, 2017 at 4:11 PM ^
Very excited to have another player flying out of the backfield with dreads
January 9th, 2017 at 4:57 PM ^
January 9th, 2017 at 7:45 PM ^
Denard had actual dreads. As does Najee Harris... *sigh*
January 9th, 2017 at 6:04 PM ^
Kareem's tape looks really good...but not great or elite. I am much more excited about Chris Evans. Kareem looks like he doesn't have elite explosion or speed. He looks like a slightly faster Deveon Smith. I would expect a kid who was at one time ranked the #1 RB in the coutnry to be busting off runs of 50 plus yard left and right. I just cannot wait to have a RB that can actually take it to the house. Holy crap, its been a decade since we have had that.
January 9th, 2017 at 6:52 PM ^
January 9th, 2017 at 7:14 PM ^
took it to the house once or twice when he rampaged through a few fishing villages en route.
January 9th, 2017 at 7:18 PM ^
Smith, Isaac, and Evans all took one to the house in the last season. Two of the three players listed are most likely going to play for us next year.
January 9th, 2017 at 2:59 PM ^
Walker's HS coach said Kareem's pass-pro was the best part of his game. Against HS competition, but still.
January 9th, 2017 at 2:59 PM ^
for disliking technology (or cotton hard to tell)
January 9th, 2017 at 4:35 PM ^
I dislike fine woolen products, if you must know.
January 9th, 2017 at 5:07 PM ^
We get the O-line issue worked out this team is going to be runnin' down hill fo' sho...
January 9th, 2017 at 5:38 PM ^
The key words in your post were "We get the O-line issue worked out". Even if Harbaugh had flipped Najee, he still needs people to block for him. Sure, having a shifty and quick RB can mitigate some O-line issues, but you can't have guards completely wiffing 50% of the time. Letting the DT live in your backfield is not a good way to go.
January 9th, 2017 at 3:01 PM ^
For some reason I thought Davis's redshirt was burned, no?
January 9th, 2017 at 3:07 PM ^
January 9th, 2017 at 3:01 PM ^
the super slo-mo effects on the Walker vid. Music works too.
January 9th, 2017 at 3:02 PM ^
January 9th, 2017 at 3:03 PM ^
With his size, he could make a heck of a fullback in our system
January 9th, 2017 at 3:08 PM ^
Just don't let him hear you say that...
January 9th, 2017 at 4:01 PM ^
January 9th, 2017 at 4:07 PM ^
Which is strange considering how Harbaugh uses FBs
January 9th, 2017 at 4:32 PM ^
values FBs.
January 9th, 2017 at 7:21 PM ^
but given the supply (massive) of college RBs and dearth of college FBs, one has to wonder if a guy like his odds are still better at FB. We did get Houma a contract with the Saints. Although, looks like he's a FA now so not sure how much was guaranteed. He almost certainly wouldn't have gotten a contract as a RB.
January 9th, 2017 at 9:44 PM ^
Touchdown Vultures
January 9th, 2017 at 4:29 PM ^
His dad was quizzing Sam for insder info about whether Michigan was truly recuiting his boy as a RB versus FB... After giving Sam a good badgering, legend has it that Mr. Davis introduced himself.
January 10th, 2017 at 2:10 AM ^
January 9th, 2017 at 3:07 PM ^
spring practice goes. Not all guys develop at the same rate. His spot on the totem pole might rise by the end of spring practice. Too soon to bail.
January 9th, 2017 at 3:42 PM ^
every time a freshman doesn`t play right away someone who wants to sound connected talks about those "rumors", just to sound like they know more than everone else.
January 9th, 2017 at 4:26 PM ^
It's been tossed around on Mgoblog, so he's not pretending to be more connected than the average Mgouser.
January 9th, 2017 at 4:42 PM ^
ok now it`s more believable.
January 9th, 2017 at 6:15 PM ^
January 9th, 2017 at 3:02 PM ^
I think him and Evans would make a good combo moving forward.
Also, kinda useless question: Was Vincent Smith our last back to have long dreads? Denard and Vincent were the same year so he doesn't count.
January 9th, 2017 at 3:03 PM ^
Is the knock oh him that he played against JV teams in high school? Those defenders had no chance.
January 9th, 2017 at 3:22 PM ^
I don't know how NJ high school football works, but they're listed on the same wiki page as all of the big NJ powers that we're familiar with i.e. Paramus Catholic, Don Bosco, etc.
January 9th, 2017 at 4:28 PM ^
Paramus and Don Bosco are Non-Public Division IV. De Paul was Division II while Walker was there, moved up to III last year when Divisions I and II were consolidated (there are now three divisions, labeled II, III and IV).
January 9th, 2017 at 4:34 PM ^
for the yeoman's work there
January 9th, 2017 at 3:34 PM ^
lined up right now in the RB position..we are fine..but ya of course it woudl be nice to get the #1 player overall. But i am very happy with this group.
January 9th, 2017 at 3:44 PM ^
should be fun to watch, love highlite reels, thanks. The funny part is the blocking/tackling at that level, sometimes its good and sometimes it bad(mostly). They look really athletic and sturdy, like a deluxe DeVeon Smith
January 9th, 2017 at 6:00 PM ^
January 9th, 2017 at 7:10 PM ^
But, from just a pure phsyical/talent standpoint I am really excited about Samuels. I know everyone wanted Harris, and I know the guys is rated as the #1 RB overall for a reason, but I personally look at those two athletes (Samuels & Harris) and I am much more excited about Samuels potential. He may not be as good as a true freshman as Harris will and may take more time to develop, but I think he's an elite talent and will have the kind of speed, playmaking, and athleticism that we haven't seen from a RB at UM since the guy that now coaches them.
January 9th, 2017 at 8:05 PM ^
I know he didn't redshirt, but Evans was a true frosh. I'm really excited about what he can do with a year to put on some muscle and learn to block. Kid rushed for 7 ypc as a skinny freshman behind a crappy line last year.
January 9th, 2017 at 9:15 PM ^
...caveats for garbage time carries.
January 9th, 2017 at 9:46 PM ^
The cool thing about this is that it isn't like When Ty Isaac had 6ypc on like 12 carries a few years ago. Dude has 88 carries and averaged SEVEN yards as a true freshman with a bad line.
January 9th, 2017 at 8:59 PM ^
An upgrade from Deveon - a bit faster and more elusive - but I don't see an elite back in that tape. I'm not sure if Evans is an every down back, but between the two of them it will be a great combo.
I still think Jabrill would have been a generational type RB if he decided to play that position, but it is what it is.
January 10th, 2017 at 3:19 AM ^
I think a lot of peeps asked Davis about being a FB and he'd always answer, I've never blocked for anyone. He did not go to Orange Bowl. Hadn't heard about a possible transfer. I hope not. I hope to see him on the team this spring.