The reason he came here was because he wasn't gonna play FB. Sam had to tell his dad he was being recruited as a RB. Then the coaches started trying to talk FB switch. Ouch. Depth chart is crowded though.
Father of #Michigan RB Kingston Davis told me his son informed U-M today of plan to transfer. Reasons: crowded depth chart & talk move to FB pic.twitter.com/vXPcZ6ro7T
— Sam Webb (@SamWebb77) March 24, 2017
Best of luck to him wherever he lands, but I'm not sure why being a fullback in this offense is so unappealing.
Some people just want to play a specific position. Denard came here because he really wanted to play QB. Win some you lose some.
To be fair, if he thinks he can be get to the next level as a running-back--especially as NFL RBs seem to come from any and every school--then it would be best to get those reps at RB.
Also, while Harbaugh definitely utilizes FBs, it's just so foundationally a different type of position/mentality.
Sadly, I think he would have made an excellent FB.
If I was a tweener between RB and FB, I would take RB every time. FB takes an incredible amount of punishment.
In our offense, the fullback is the leading scorer on the team. I get Davis' decision, though.
How does that lessen the pounding he takes on all of the blocking plays?
Seriously. M's current fullback scores a touchdown almost every time he carries the ball. Can't say the same for the RBs. Fullback at M is a legit glory position.
I thought the emergence of Khalid Hill and the touches/TDs at the FB position would make KD think twice about turning down that role. But if his mind is set that he is an RB, then I guess nothing will help.
If he is not in line to get reps at RB, I suppose this makes sense for both sides.
Yes seriously!
Name the best FB in college football over the last 10 years? Chances are you can name 10 RBs that will enter the NFL this year that will have more glory and make more money than that "superstar" FB.
Too bad, he would have made an excellent FB.
Does this create a roster opening for Drake Johnson?
One already. Brian and Ace hinted on a recent podcast that there is one rumored/expected transfer among the OL as well.
the OL???
NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Please, Greg Frey, work your voodoo magic on our OL!
a chance. Coach Harbaugh is great at developing FBs, and considering the dwindling numbers in college, he'd probably actually have a better chance at making it to the NFL as a FB (especially after working with Coach) even though FBs aren't as popular in the NFL as they used to be.
While FB certainly gets more run in the Harbaughffense than virtually anywhere else in almost any level of football - they still spend a LOT of time crashing into dudes without the rock in their hands. That's just not for everybody.
Those of us sitting at keyboards think playing any football sounds like more fun than whatever it is we're supposed to be doing, but to those who have options.....
When he signed I said to myself - Kingston Davis, the next Mister Simpson. You just know they're never playing here, but they wanna come to Michigan anyway. I respect that!
Actually, I had to read your second paragraph twice; not because it difficult to understand, but due to the realization that, even though I have not played any type of football in years and am certainly at the age where I'm not planning to be taking any snaps soon, it caused me to think what I would do if at that age and would I simply grab my cleats and say, "see you guys at the field." I began thinking about the size of these young men, their strength, the fact that I'd probably hit one of these overgrown men of steel and even though it really wouldn't hurt him, he'd think to himself, "Well that little shit. No, he didn't hurt me, but its my guess he was trying and probably thinks he caught my attention somehow." We were always finding ways to cop an attitude at that age,but somehow I mistakenly ended up on a field today where these fuckers look like they could play for UM. It'd be about that time I'd find that mole hole I'd been looking for since I no longer doubted his intent and knew he was going to fucking blow me up. I begin sprinting in short dashes to keep loose and "DAMNIT!!!, Stepped in a mole hole guys, I'll need to walk this one off. Probably be back on the field in a few."
Until I read your words and having a history of playing and coaching the greatest game ever invented, I had never thought if I'd have to make a decision if there was a game going on - I'm, of course, stepping back in time - and I realize this is yet another damn sign of aging. It fucking sucks. Nice post.
No way was he ever going to be the bell cow running back at 240+ pounds. At that size he wouldn't have the Quicks, or agility to be a front of the line tail back...just of luck to him where the competition isn't so hard
Not comparing Davis' skillset to these players, but Derrick Henry was 245 lbs, Gerhart was 230, and Javorskie Lane was 260. Those are just off the top of my head. There have been several bellcow RBs with heft at the college level.
disagrees
He's a freak....Davis is no freak
not that much of a freak, with a 27 inch vertical and 4.6 40 yard dash.
if you are talking bout Fornette he ran a 4.51 40 yds dash. he has breakaway speed but he isn't a shifty type of back. one cut and go type of guy. Compared to other rbs he isn't a super freaking athlete but to 95 % of the population he is.
That forty is freaky at 240 lbs and arguably out-of-shape.
Reminds me of the most freakish guy - Marcus Dupree of OU set a Fiesta record in rushing on only 22 carries because he was cramping and too tired to play more after gaining 15 lbs eating his mom's cooking over Christmas break.
March 25th, 2017 at 11:19 AM ^
Come on, everyone was dissapointed with Fournettes numbers at the combine, and the talk was about him not being as athletic as everyone thought. His vertical was second to last among running backs. I guess his 4.51 40 time wasn't bad, but wasn't that awesome either.
http://www.sbnation.com/2017/3/3/14804374/leonard-fournette-nfl-combine…
He never had any doubts on what position he was going to play and he thought he'd be able to supplant or establish himself as the TB due to the group arriving w/in a year of each other. While its true, especially given the diversity we have at the TE position, you can almost always grab a FB from that unit, having an actual FB with both the ideal skill set and size - a bit quicker than most TEs getting to the second level - does make Harbaugh's offense better.
However, when you have a young man who has always played the other position well and believes he is legit there, it is difficult to give up. I do hope, however, should he be told the same thing at his future school, he finally accept such has been the opinion of two diffrent coahing staffs and put in the work necessary to become the best FB possible. Good luck young man, and maintain the focus.
Playing FB is a lot like being the proverbial canary in a coal mine. No glory, no notice unless something bad happens. You throw yourself into guys quite a bit more massive, over and over, probing for that opening for someone else. It takes a special type of crazy to relish that role.
At the NFL level, the job is increasingly being absorbed by tight ends who can see over the line and allow coaches to better disguise play-calls within personnel packages.
Still, being a Harbaugh FB is better than most. He clearly loves using fullbacks and tight ends as his Swiss army knives.
Can't blame a guy for pursuing his dream, though. RB is a funny position and lightning strikes often enough to support a lot of these dreams.
No glory? That's all Khalid Hill got last year.
Fullback would be a gravy job in my opinion. Few carries not having to worry about fumbles and you get to punish so called opposing talent on the d-line or in the linebacking ranks. You cant ask for an easier free ride through college and into the NFL. If you have any coordination and strength, you get to eat every game.
Except for those pesky concussions from bashing into lbs and linemen every play.
This move has been hinted at since December. I wasn't a huge fan of his film, reminded me a little too much of D. Green. But he impressed me with the few carries he got last year. Looked harder to take down than in his film. Best of luck to him and hopefully we can land a stud in the 2018 class.
and I'm sure we'll see him again soon
but with a name like Kingston, it would be fitting if Coach Harbaugh gives him a pair of those fashionable Jamaican Lululemon khakis as a parting gift.
are not a hot commodity in the NFL now. Why would he want to spend four years working on a skill where only like 3 teams use one?
Sucks to see him go. I liked his HS film a lot. Only one Prattville boy left, Keith Washington. Wonder what Keith will amount too.
Probably a two time All American and a great leader with 1st rd potential
Mrs Washington!
/ s
Who knows what could have been...
Fullback is better than not playing or transferring and sitting a year
Kid would of been a bowling ball in a year or so
Michigan degree
Maybe he is afraid of touchdowns or the end zone. Could be a phobia of some kind. I'm surprised you guys hadn't thought of that already.
Not willing to play FB
I wish Kingston the best of luck he came here with the chance to play RB they said and I assumed he got his chance. He saw the writing on the wall and he wants to be a rb bad so he is gonna transfer. If he wants to be RB and try at another school cause he isn't gonna get the chance here then I wish him the best.
Good luck Mr. Kingston and I for one dont question why u would leave. If u don't want to be a FB then u don't want to be one. Follow your Dream.
He looked really good to my ameteur eye. But we have 3 underclassmen I like better so not a huge loss.
Ron Dayne is my all time favorite non Michigan running back. I keep hoping we get a guy like him some day. I thought Green had a chance then Davis. Oh well. I guess I can settle for the Chris Evans of the world.
March 24th, 2017 at 10:40 PM ^
It's the "Chris Evanses"
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