2015 Michigan Running Backs

Submitted by Dawkins on July 19th, 2015 at 4:53 PM

How do you guys see the depth chart shaking out?

I see lots of talk about Green and Isaac and even Drake Johnson, but I feel like De'Veon Smith is the one who is best poised for a breakout season in Harbaugh's offense given his running style. He's a dependable north/south type of runner who can make the necessary cuts but doesn't depend on dancing around in the backfield like some runners do. He reminds me a lot of Brandon Minor (Minor was more shifty but his game was geared more towards runing through tackles rather than running around everybody).

I see Green continuing to run right into traffic too often, and MGoStrength's thread has convinced me that Drake Johnson will be injured again (or at least be too injury-prone to carry the load over the course of an entire season).

I anticipate the depth chart will end up as:

1. Smith

2. Isaac

3. Green/Johnson

4. Higdon/Shallman

Wildcard: if Norfleet is allowed back I could see Harbaugh putting him somewhere in the RB rotation.

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rbgoblue

July 20th, 2015 at 8:11 AM ^

Green was starting to look like he was putting it together just before breaking his collar bone. Hopefully he can return where he left off.

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allintime23

July 20th, 2015 at 9:44 AM ^

Give me a healthy 20 and three strong backups that could be starters and I'll be happy as hell.

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SpaghettiPolicy

July 20th, 2015 at 9:58 AM ^

To me after watching the http://mgovideo.com/ty-isaac-2013-every-touch/ I think that it's gotta be:

1. Ty Isaac

1a. Deveon Smith

2. Green and Johnson(if healthy)

3. Everyone else.

Isaac goes down a little to easily for a big 6'3" 230 back but he's got some good speed and enough shiftiness to make quick cuts(i.e. not huge lateral jukes but adjustments as he's going)

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BayWolves

July 20th, 2015 at 3:28 PM ^

This is it. Isaac is going to be the man because he has the best combination of speed, power and vision. Smith is freaking tough in the north south game so he is definitely getting snaps and if he does well pass pro wise even more so.

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jabberwock

July 20th, 2015 at 4:17 PM ^

and honestly wasn't that impressed at all.

Pros:
Good speed
Good burst
OK vision
OK power

Cons:
for his size . . .only OK power
Didn't break many tackles, even down on first contact often.
Never beat anyone outside.

He looked like a good runner who capitalized on everything his O-line gave him.
(which is better than we can say for some M backs)

but i rarely saw him achieve a whole lot when there wasn't a gaping hole already made for him.

Now maybe "good enough" vision and extra speed is all thats needed once the O-line starts clicking (hopefully) this year. I guess i just didn't see any world-beating separation between him and any other Michigan back once you take the O-lines out of the equation.

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93Grad

July 20th, 2015 at 10:03 AM ^

Hard to say. They all have shown signs and they all have reasons to doubt that they will emerge as above average starters. At least we now have a staff that I trust can develop them and use them correctly.

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Gucci Mane

July 20th, 2015 at 11:15 AM ^

Our speculation is 100% pointless. So naturally I will include my projected depth chart. 1. Green. 2. Isaac 3. Smith 4. Johnson 5. Shallman 6. Higdon (rs)

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