August 10th, 2011 at 8:00 PM ^
I enjoyed watching him score a touchdown against tsio, wouldn't mind seeing a few more.
Second choice would be Shaw, because we own penn state....
August 10th, 2011 at 8:01 PM ^
in this order, rawls, shaw, cox
August 10th, 2011 at 8:23 PM ^
I hope you're right, but early reports seem to indicate that Rawls and Hayes are just behind the pack in terms of knowledge of the offense. You could even see it in the rivals video when Rawls went through one of the drills and then you could hear some one telling him to watch how Vince does it. After Vince went through you could see a huge difference in just knowing how to do drills and such. There's plenty of time for them to catch up and Rawls highlight tape looked like exactly what I want our backs to play like, so my fingers are crossed.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:54 PM ^
August 10th, 2011 at 9:02 PM ^
The knock on Cox is that he makes lots of mistakes and needs a better grasp of the playbook.
<br>
<br>If a freshman is able to make an early impact, RB is probably the easiest.
August 10th, 2011 at 10:00 PM ^
but i dont buy not grasping the playbook for a running back. Like you said RB is the easiest to make an early impact, Cox is seasoned he should be able to get that part down. Cox is the guy i want to see starting, hes at 215 right now with good speed. Dude just needs to hit the hole and go and he should be just fine.
August 10th, 2011 at 10:52 PM ^
Your description just reminded me of why I can't shake the perception that Cox is just the poor man's Carlos Brown. Brown had similar size (a little smaller, but still no slouch) and even better (downright elite) speed. Just seemed to run upright and never had the vision/balance/lateral movement to be a consistent running back. Could "hit the hole and go" for 90 yard TD's all day against subpar competition but just couldn't get it done against a better defense.
Probably (certainly) unfair to paint Cox with that brush before he's gotten any meaningful carries against a real defense, but I just don't expect to be pleasantly surprised/proven wrong at this point.
August 10th, 2011 at 11:58 PM ^
every time we've seen cox he's run through tackels. carlos brown broke maybe one half of a tackle in his whole career, and fell down due to something less than a tackle like a billion times.
i'll admit im biased, i love the cox*, but i don't think a carlos brown comparison is apt at all.
*hur
August 10th, 2011 at 11:58 PM ^
HALOL
August 10th, 2011 at 11:26 PM ^
According to the coaches what should be happening is much different than what is happening. I personally want Cox to succeed.
August 11th, 2011 at 1:23 AM ^
"I personally want Cox to succeed."
<br>
<br>Great last sentence.
August 11th, 2011 at 12:00 AM ^
I don't think its as simple as just hitting the hole and relying on natural instinct.
The problem with freshman is that in addition to grasping the offense (which not only includes terminology, but also includes protection schemes, route running, etc), they often have a lot to learn in terms of fundamentals such as pad level, ball security, and decision making.
I think most highly rated kids were able to get by without having done all the little things right because they had so much more natural ability than most HS players. When they hit the field in college, natural ability doesn't always cut it.
Now, I am not saying that any of this is true for Michigan's freshman RBs, because who knows. But its simply not that easy to walk in to the Big Ten and start from day one.
August 10th, 2011 at 9:14 PM ^
Watch his highlight real. The guy has an awesome combination of speed, power and moves. He's fun to watch, that doesn't mean hes gonna win the job, but I think there is a lot of optimism surrounding him.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:02 PM ^
Just for the immature, incredibly juvenile one-liners.
August 10th, 2011 at 10:56 PM ^
Who's with me?
August 10th, 2011 at 8:02 PM ^
Whoever Fred Jackson thinks should win it.
(aka. Barry Sanders with the size of Brandon Jacobs speed of Chris Johnson, and the toughness of Jerome Bettis)
August 10th, 2011 at 8:47 PM ^
I trust his evaluation of the talent. Some practice tapes aren't going to tell us alot.
August 10th, 2011 at 9:41 PM ^
Like the coaches say, wait until the pads are put on.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:02 PM ^
He's built for this offense
August 10th, 2011 at 8:25 PM ^
Borges' most successful running backs have been guys like Hillman, Cadillac Williams, Kenny Irons (all small), and Skip Hicks (a little bigger, but really athletic and versatile catching balls out of the backfield).
I love Stephen Hopkins but I really don't think he is what they are looking for out of their every down back. I think he'll score a bunch of touchdowns next year but I doubt he'll get the bulk of the carries.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:32 PM ^
Well, considering that "this offense" is probably going to be a little bit of the I-formation and a lot of spread, you're basically saying that Hopkins is built for the spread.
Which he's not.
August 11th, 2011 at 9:21 AM ^
Based on what Borges said about Hopkins, I think we'll see him in a fullback more often than not.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:03 PM ^
but I want to see the myth like toussaint get the nod, but whoever hoke thinks the starting rb should be is the man
August 10th, 2011 at 8:07 PM ^
He and Cox probably have the highest ceiling and with Toussaint being younger, I'd agree that he's the best possible pick--unless Hayes or Rawls are stars from the second they step on campus.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:30 PM ^
August 10th, 2011 at 9:01 PM ^
i'm hoping for a huge dose of toussaint this year, he absolutely kills in NCAA 11 and 12 so that means he can do it for real right? Fitz has always been one i've been very excited to see what he can do with the chance
August 10th, 2011 at 8:03 PM ^
I like Shaw with Smith getting some reps.
I would also like to see Rawls get in there and get some carries.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:03 PM ^
i think he has the highest potential
August 10th, 2011 at 8:48 PM ^
Cox was B1G Network's pick to start last year ... but he for some unknown reason never saw the field in game situations last year. He most resembles the Tim & Tyrone runner as Michigan's past "manball" RB's.
Mike can bust tackles and has moves to make that 1st lineman or LB miss. I'm hoping that he gets a FULL chance this year! Fired up and ready for 9/3/11 ...
Go Blue!
August 10th, 2011 at 8:05 PM ^
August 10th, 2011 at 8:04 PM ^
For two reasons.
1. I'm from Flint
2. He reminds me so much of Shaun Alexander.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:13 PM ^
NFL RB comparison...is that you, Fred?
August 10th, 2011 at 8:18 PM ^
I've gotten to see him play quite a bit. Normally, I don't compare HS players to anyone, but he and Alexander are very similar runners.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:57 PM ^
Wasn't a call out at all, I just like making Fred Jackson jokes.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:18 PM ^
I've gotten to see him play quite a bit. Normally, I don't compare HS players to anyone, but he and Alexander are very similar runners.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:05 PM ^
My pecking order:
Shaw
Rawls
Hopkins
Smith
Toussant
Hayes
Cox
August 10th, 2011 at 8:07 PM ^
The best player. They're on the team I root for, I want them all to succeed.
August 11th, 2011 at 8:11 AM ^
August 10th, 2011 at 8:08 PM ^
...but I hope the best players are Rawls and Hopkins. Would love to see the power game back with those guys.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:10 PM ^
I preface this with HEALTHY! My order would be:
Toussant (If he can stay healthy I think he has best combo of Size & Speed)
Smith (If can be an every down back I love his versatility)
Shaw (Quality back)
Hopkins (Love his size but can he provide a homerun threat)
Rawls (Freshman struggle with pass coverage pickups)
Hayes (See Rawls)
Cox
August 10th, 2011 at 8:23 PM ^
Vincent Smith just because I like him the most. None of us have any idea who the best option is from this group yet.
One guy I seriously doubt it will be is Shaw. It's too instinctual a position for us to drool about his physical potential and say he just needs to cut back on mental mistakes. If he was going to, he probably would have by now.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:38 PM ^
Were you describing Shaw or Cox?
August 11th, 2011 at 1:25 AM ^
If he was drooling over Cox?
August 10th, 2011 at 8:10 PM ^
If he can stay healthy, I would love to see him running the ball. He has huge potential.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:12 PM ^
I would love to see Shaw reach his potential but I'm not holding my breath. The thing about Hopkins is he may not break the big one but he seems to be able to get the 5+ yards consistently. I also have always liked Smith and his work ethic I just don't see him as an every down back, I like the way he runs/blocks/catches though so I could see him getting a good amuont of playing time regardless of who wins the job.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:13 PM ^
Shaw. He needs to prove the doubters wrong. He is the most talented back on the roster and plays with great emotion.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:15 PM ^
I'll second your Shaw, with Smith as third-down back and the best of Rawls/Cox/Hopkins/Toussaint as short yardage/change of pace.
Another thing to keep in mind: Rawls and Hopkins have both been mentioned as part-time FBs. Passes to the FB in the flat are a staple of the West Coast offense. Whoever has the stickiest fingers is gonna get the ball with room to rumble.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:35 PM ^
Please god no more smith on 3rd and short. I just dont think he can move the pile in short yardage.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:37 PM ^
August 10th, 2011 at 8:45 PM ^
Yes, I can understand wanting a good blocking back in on a 3rd down passing situation. but I remember smith getting quite a few short yardage carries with very little success.