How does everyone think the RB position is going to play out

Submitted by coachdad on

Will Deveon be able to hold on to the bulk of the carries? Will one of the new guys steal carries from him? I think when healthy he is a fantastic running back, but look forward to seeing how this battle plays out.

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Perkis-Size Me

January 11th, 2016 at 1:38 PM ^

If the Citrus Bowl is any indication, I'm not worried too much about whoever our RB is. A RB is only as good as the guys blocking in front of him, and that was the first time in a long time that I saw a Michigan offensive line impose its will on a good opponent. Another full offseason and continuity on the line should help even more.

I'd say DeVeon is "the guy" next Fall, Drake is the 3rd down, change of pace back, and Walker slowly works his way into the rotation with a handful of carries per game. Not too sure how often we'll see Isaac or Higdon.



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cbrad

January 11th, 2016 at 1:43 PM ^

I agree with Coverzero. Walker has the body of a 10th grader, so unless he has the elusiveness of Barry, he's not ready for primetime. Though I would love to have him live up to the billing and be the clearcut best back on the team, it seems like he'll be just a guy next year similar to Higdon.

Watched him in the AA game and he was unimpressive but he was facing a line anchored by Gary the second coming, so add a grain of salt.

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EGD

January 11th, 2016 at 1:47 PM ^

Smith and Johnson are kind of like poor man's versions of LenDale White and Reggie Bush.  I think they will get the bulk of the carries, with Johnson hopefully getting a bigger share in 2016 as he should be stronger and healthier another year removed from his injuries.

If Walker winds up being really good, I think he'll take carries away from Johnson more than Smith.  

Higdon could maybe get time as a third-down scat back if he can block and catch.  

I wonder how practical it would be to try Isaac at WR.

 

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Phoenix

January 11th, 2016 at 1:50 PM ^

I think a healthy Smith will be our #1 guy and will have a little more hop to his step, like we saw at the beginning of the year and the bowl game. Some might say he just had better vision at the end. That may be true, but I think he was just healthier.

I don't think Walker will be too involved. I'd love to be proven wrong. I see Johnson and Davis getting a lot of carries behind Smith. I just think Davis is going to be a better blocker than the other candidates and will be similar to Smith re: his running style. Isaac and Peppers to get a few scattered carries between them.

Looking forward to seeing just how far off my wild assumptions end up being next year!



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Mwygant20

January 11th, 2016 at 1:54 PM ^

crazy or am I the only person that thinks higdon and his 11 carrys for 19 yrds was awfull this year and shouldn't be expected for much next yr not one of his runs were even remotely impressive and he showed nothing in games to expect much next yr

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marti221

January 11th, 2016 at 1:57 PM ^

Yea, you're probably going to be the outlier on that one. I thought he looked pretty good in his VERY limited snaps. Pretty quick, got some wiggle, has some speed. I don't think he's elite by any means, but I think he could be a pretty good back with 10-12 snaps per game.



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blueblue

January 11th, 2016 at 2:08 PM ^

Last year we had prototypical fullbacks who were mostly blockers but could surprise on a run. I don't expect to see that clear-cut traditional division between fullback and taiback next year because we don't have the guys for it. But we could put Smith and Isaac on the field at the same time, or any other combination of two. That thing where you just follow the fullback to know where the run is going is over. The play-calling will be much less predictable and the runnidng backs will play more diverse roles. 

I just don't see any of those guys emerging as such a Feature Back or any of the others emerging as obvious guys you want to only block for the feature back. Besides: boring. Don't be surprised if Mike Onwenu lines up at fullback occasionally, or if they give him the ball on a fullback dive. 

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MGoUberBlue

January 11th, 2016 at 2:12 PM ^

Drake and Deveon being healthy for an entire season.  They will probably be 1 and 1A, but what about Ty Isaac?  Would like to see him in shape and showing everyone why and how he earned fives stars in high school.

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Jimmyisgod

January 11th, 2016 at 2:28 PM ^

It would not surprise me if Peppers gets 8-10 carries a game.  Just too dangerous and I think his best position might be RB in the NFL.  He's a Chris Johnson type talent there.

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Danwillhor

January 11th, 2016 at 3:03 PM ^

if we can get a guy to play his position on defense that fills just 75% of the role Peppers did you move Peppers to offense. He's great at both but teams can work around him on defense if good enough. You can't force us to not give him the football on offense and with a guy like Peppers you want to maximize his impact because he'll always be the best talent on the field in any game played in college. No homer, btw! He'd be the best player on any team in the country. I firmly believe that.

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Eye of the Tiger

January 11th, 2016 at 2:30 PM ^

*If everyone stays healthy*

Smith = #1 back. Splits carries between TB and FB. Gets 15-20 carries/game, of which 5 come from the FB position.

Johnson/Isaac = change-of-pace backs. Get 10-15 carries/game between them.

Higdon = garbage time back. Gets up to 5 carries/game.

Davis and Walker = redshirts.

Green = transfer

*If there is an injury, then everyone moves up this foodchain. Possible redshirt burn for Walker.

 

 

 

 

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StephenRKass

January 11th, 2016 at 2:31 PM ^

I think that Isaac or Higdon (not sure which) will start as the number 2 back, and one will supplant Smith. I think that Smith takes some of the FB carries. Johnson is a change of pace back. Walker redshirts unless significant injuries to the other 4 RB. I was impressed that Isaac appears to have grown up, and committed to do the work to succeed. I also have heard that Higdon was burning things up, which was why they burned his redshirt. I don't think he will be able to be held back. I think there will always be a place for Smith, especially if he takes some of the FB type carries. If Smith does that, I think he takes the FB snaps, and the bruiser snaps (short yardage). Drake is the prototypical 3rd down change of pace back. But either Isaac or Higdon (or a combination?) take the majority of the first and second down tailback snaps. While I think we are happy with Smith, I think that Isaac and Higdon will really allow Michigan to shine by returning to what we did at that position in the past.

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alum96

January 11th, 2016 at 2:37 PM ^

After 8 months of people wishing he move to fullback or for a "better, younger" back to pass him by, Smith will open the season as the lead back and end the season as the lead back (barring injury).

Isaac, Higdon, Walker, Davis, and apparently Drake (whose position on the team seemed to have been in doubt pre bowl practices) will have spring and fall practice and then the first 2-3 games to determine who is going to be back 2 and 3 in a 3 back rotation.  The other 2 will basically be marginalized bench players by the Wisconsin game.

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Danwillhor

January 11th, 2016 at 2:54 PM ^

until our OL gets going. Smith is the only guy we have that can gain 2 yards on will alone. He lacks almost everything else you want in a feature HB but the one thing he does better than anyone on this team is turn nothing into something (even if just a yard or two). As long as this OL struggles to consistently run block and deliver "nothing situations" to our HBs, it's Smith by default. On an OL where a one time 5* recruit, 5th year Senior is the most inconsistent guy? Our OL will be a work in progress for at least another year.

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BlueinOK

January 11th, 2016 at 4:04 PM ^

Smith will get the majority of the carries, but Walker will come in to be No. 2. Johnson will get some carries and Isaac will play a few snaps a game. 

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wolverinebutt

January 11th, 2016 at 4:59 PM ^

Its Daveon's job to lose.  I expect to see alot of him next year, but everyone showing well in practice will get carries. 

I expect Johnson to see a light, but steady work load just for his health.

To me fullback is more interesting of who will get those reps?

Daveon comment - I didn't like him(slowness) or think we would see much of him this year.  Hats off to him for the hard work and proving me wrong.  I hope to see the Daveon we saw in the bowl game - Jack Hammer!!!       

  

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AmayzNblue

January 11th, 2016 at 5:13 PM ^

1. Deveon- 55% snaps
2. Isaacs- 15% snaps
3. Higdon/Walker- splitting 30% snaps

Just a hunch, but Isaacs is going to be extremely motivated to get his crap together and he's not likely to transfer like Green probably will.



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Opinion25

January 11th, 2016 at 7:05 PM ^

When healthy, I believe Drake has been the best RB the past 2 years. The problem has been staying healthy. I would prefer that a healthy Drake be option 1, but I think JH will stick with DeVeon as long as he's doing okay. 

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