O'Maury Samuels
Sorry if I'm missing anything here but wondering why we're not seeing him? I get that they're trying to preserve Turner's redshirt but since Samuels has already played in 5 games this year, wondering why we haven't used him in any of the recent blowouts.
November 12th, 2018 at 3:25 PM ^
Zach Charbonnet and Eric Gray
November 12th, 2018 at 3:27 PM ^
I was surprised not to see him this game, since it seems like every other RB on the travel squad got a carry in the 4th quarter. Wonder if he's hurt or something.
November 12th, 2018 at 3:27 PM ^
Justin Feagin
November 12th, 2018 at 3:28 PM ^
Obligatory “Bad thread title” yada.. yada.. yada..
You get what you earn on this team. We also had a limited travel roster so maybe Samuels didn’t make the trip? I know Tru Wilson doesn’t get much credit on the board, but he beat out all the other backs on the roster except maybe Turner (pre-dinged up) for the RB3 spot and deserves to get the carries accordingly.
I am also excited to see what O’Maury can do if he gets on the field and hopes he sticks things out until his time comes.
November 12th, 2018 at 3:35 PM ^
I don’t know why, what do you think?
November 12th, 2018 at 3:42 PM ^
Because there's 3 RBs in front of him who all need reps
November 12th, 2018 at 3:54 PM ^
Because Michigan's rushing offense is 5th in the BIG10 in rushing, not 1st.
Our offensive line is significantly improved. But that only means improved compared to what it was before, which was awful.
But even if Michigan's rushing offense is ranked 5th in an underwhelming conference this year, Samuels has to compete for carries with Higdon, Evans, Wilson and now Shea Patterson, as well as Ben Mason and true frosh Christian Turner.
Samuels is an impressive physical specimen, fast as hell and has a bright future, but competition only gets tougher when Eric Gray and Zach Charbonnet show up on campus next year.
November 12th, 2018 at 4:07 PM ^
Since the ND game, when our OL had a rough day in general and we were held to 58 net rushing yards, we're averaging 232.9 rush yards per game and 5.3 per carry. That would rank us fourth in the conference (out of 14 teams) behind only Wisconsin, Illinois and Maryland - three teams that can't pass at all and are totally dependent on the ground game. That's pretty good.
November 12th, 2018 at 4:23 PM ^
He is 5th on the depth chart.
November 12th, 2018 at 4:48 PM ^
Hill can play Saturday. Concussion protocol will be short. Will they be conservative Saturday? Seems to be a trend, but he WILL play against OSU and he is probable for IU.
November 12th, 2018 at 4:53 PM ^
Fantastic news. Should be able to roll with Watson, Long and Ambry Thomas this week without any issues.
November 13th, 2018 at 10:19 PM ^
always appreciate your input
November 12th, 2018 at 4:54 PM ^
Re: Samuels..
Next year only one person ahead of him is gone (Higdon) and two new, VERY talented running backs arrive to the room as well.
Edit - if Gray sticks of course
November 12th, 2018 at 5:17 PM ^
Is Edwards 4?
Assuming this was a case of other guys performing well in practice as the season went on.
November 12th, 2018 at 6:57 PM ^
Higdon, Evans, Wilson, Turner, Samuels
November 12th, 2018 at 5:55 PM ^
Do you know if he traveled to Rutgers? I certainly get him not playing most of the season/most games, as there's 4 very good RBs in front of him, but he was noticeably absent during the bench emptying portion of the game saturday.
November 12th, 2018 at 5:57 PM ^
Was at the game--it was really cold--and didn't see him or Turner.
November 12th, 2018 at 5:58 PM ^
The coaches believe Tru Wilson is better, and it's hard to argue the results. Wilson has played well, ran hard, and shown the ability to be a good blocker. I am a bit disappointed Samuels hasn't developed more because he has some great measurables, but he didn't play against great competition in high school in New Mexico, so it may take him longer to develop, or he may just be a great athlete, but not a great running back if he lacks the vision and patience to hit the correct holes. But, he's fast, explosive, and jacked. Let's hope he continues to develop and is able to put his athleticism to use.
November 12th, 2018 at 6:11 PM ^
Tru should be the number 2 back imo. Evans doesn’t have near the vision or burst that Tru has.
November 12th, 2018 at 10:45 PM ^
I agree. Evans has his moments like he breaks a big run occasionally but other than that he doesn't gain much each run. Tru is a hard runner and pass blocks better than any RB on the team
I do like Evans catching passes though. He is VERY good and elusive in open space
November 12th, 2018 at 6:22 PM ^
People fretting about Samuels need to take some smelling salts or just take some really deep breaths. The coaches see all these guys in practice extensively all season long and know who is the best to carry the ball, and in what order. I assume that Tru Wilson has earned the carries over Samuel and based on what we've seen, I'd say that is correct. Hopefully, Samuels will continue to improve and earn more carries.
November 12th, 2018 at 6:50 PM ^
i miss not knowing or caring if a kid redshirted or not.
November 12th, 2018 at 7:43 PM ^
Two years ago, who were the lead RBs at the Rutgers game: Chris Evans, Karan Higdon with Ty Isaacs. Right now it is Chris Evans, Karan Higdon, and Tru Wilson as the main rotation with O'Maury Samuels in some spots. He probably can't crack the line up because of non-ball carrying issues.
He is a true Freshman - so he has time. It isn't like in the past where RBs tried to become featured backs to draw notice from the NFL - (1) the NFL isn't valuing the run as much as it did in the 1970-1980's thanks to rule changes, and (2) there are a lot of good backs every year that no one is paying top dollar for limited backs - they ideally want someone who can run and gain tough yards, has enough speed to break a few long runs, be a really good pass catcher and a good pass blocker. Look at James White out of Wisconsin for the NE Patriots. He was a thousand yard runner for Wisconsin but has made a nice 5 year career thanks to his pass blocking, and pass catching.
He'll have an advantage over the younger new guys because he'll know the system, know the plays, and know the assignment issues (like pass blocking, chipping, releasing etc.). It is impressive that Tru Wilson has done as well.
Great running backs are born - there is something special about that burst of speed, agility and vision but Good running backs are made - through coaching and teaching, and learning. There are only a few lightning-in-a-bottle guys and we'll know right away -but for everyone else, it is still the same story - study, practice and hard work.
November 12th, 2018 at 8:28 PM ^
This is Samuels' second year in the program.
Haskins and Turner were our 2018 RB recruits.
November 12th, 2018 at 8:21 PM ^
Why would this be thread worthy?
November 12th, 2018 at 9:52 PM ^
Where else would someone talk about it?
November 13th, 2018 at 12:56 AM ^
TL;DR - he is a sophomore.
We didn't see much of Higdon at this point in his career either...more but not much more... on a very different team/offense.
You can't worry about this if the guys on the field are getting it done...they are. There could be issues... but does it really matter. There's way more under the hood than playing time or snaps can explain until he becomes an upperclassman. At that point, the players decide what's up. Until then let it be.
November 13th, 2018 at 8:24 AM ^
I have always liked Higdon-gives max effort, gets as much out of a play as he can and moves the chains. From what I have seen of Samuels he is very much like Higdon. I believe Samuels' playing time next year is mostly predicated upon how quickly Charbonnet adapts to the college game...unless Evans decides to break a tackle (of which he has shown flashes) and Turner takes off...then, of course, there is Tru-whom I really like...how's that for hedging!!! Otherwise, the RB room is going to be JUST FINE!