Michigan Football Preview 2015 – Running Backs

Projected starter at tailback: Somebody. (De’Veon Smith has the best resume thus far, Derrick Green if he can improve his vision, Ty Isaac if he ends up being as good as was advertised coming out of high school, Drake Johnson if he can stay healthy.)

Could be a factor: Whoever doesn’t start.

Watch out for next year: Karan Higdon

Last year, Michigan had a few guys get significant carries. The leader in that department was De’Veon Smith, but the job seems pretty open. Smith, a junior this year, ran for 519 yards (4.8 YPC) and 6 TDs last year. Smith is pretty slow for a running back, but takes good care of the football, runs hard, and is tough to tackle. He had the best showing in the spring game, with 50 yards on 7 carries, though much of that came on his first run.

Derrick Green came into Michigan with a lot of hype, the top-rated running back recruit in the class of 2013, according to both Scout and Rivals. Green, also a junior, has yet to live up to the hype, though, his biggest problem being an inability to hit the right hole. Green was rather unimpressive in the spring game, although the offensive line he was running behind didn’t do him any favors.

Ty Isaac becomes eligible to play this year after transferring from Southern California. Another five-star recruit in the class of 2013, Isaac, now a redshirt sophomore, is huge for a running back at 6’3”. In limited action at USC in 2013, he ran for just under 6 YPC. What should we expect from him at Michigan? I have no clue. At the very least, he should catch some passes out of the backfield; he looks like Michigan’s best receiving running back.

Redshirt junior Drake Johnson, possibly Michigan’s fastest running back, has looked good when healthy. Unfortunately, he’s had a hard time staying healthy, with two ACL tears in as many seasons. He did not play in the spring game.

Freshman Karan Higdon was an Iowa recruit before flipping to Michigan. A three-star recruit out of high school, my guess is that he redshirts this year.

Redshirt sophomore Ross Taylor-Douglas played running back in the spring game, but is listed on Michigan’s website as a cornerback. He was not particularly good in the spring game, and I don’t see him being a factor here.

Projected starter at fullback: Joe Kerridge

Could be a factor: Wyatt Shallman at H-back

Watch out for next year: Bobby Henderson, Brady Pallante

I’m really going to miss Joe Kerridge when he graduates after this year. He’s a good blocker and can catch a pass out of the backfield. He’s been one of Michigan’s best performers on offense the last couple years. (This says two things: 1. Joe Kerrdige is quite good. 2. Michigan’s offense really stunk ince a fullback was one of its best players.) Joe Kerridge’s final year at Michigan should be a good one, though, as he plays a pretty big role in Harbaugh’s offense. Senior Sione Houma could also see a few snaps at fullback this year. Bobby Henderson, who hasn’t seen much game action could end up starting at fullback next year. Redshirt freshman Brady Pallante came in as a NT, then got moved to FB, now he’s listed at NT again. If he ends up at FB, he could be a factor next year.

Redshirt sophomore Wyatt Shallman played running back in the spring game and was decent, but decent’s about it. He could get on the field from time to time this year in an H-back role.

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