Michigan Football: Chris Evans Is Going To Break Out Next Season

With De’Veon Smith out of Michigan football’s backfield, there’s significant production that needs to be picked up. Chris Evans is poised to scoop up a lot of it.

As Michigan football rose from the dead in the Orange Bowl, the Wolverines got the ball back with 4:02 to play and a chance to take the lead. Michigan picked up one first down with runs from De’Veon Smith and Wilton Speight. Then with the chains moved, it was Chris Evans on the field.

His first run: a nine-yard gain to the Florida State 30.

His second run: an electrifying 30-yard touchdown sprint that perfectly summarized what the Wolverines loved getting from him all season.

He was fast, and he was elusive.

That touchdown, as well as a two-point conversion, gave Michigan a three-point lead. As we know, that lead was relinquished, and the Wolverines ended their season by losing three of their final four games. Amazingly, they had the lead with under two minutes to play in all three.

But because Smith is moving on (hopefully to the NFL), and because I’m tired of taking about how/why Michigan can’t close out games very well, there’s the matter of who’s picking up the production out of the Wolverines’ backfield.

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One of the favorites to do it will be fifth-year senior Ty Isaac, but I think that’s mostly because he fits the mold of what people expect out of a Michigan running back. There’s also sophomore-to-be Kareem Walker, who was highly touted coming into the program last season but didn’t see the field. Kingston Davis is probably someone who pops up in conversations this offseason too. He’s a bruiser who only got two carries against Hawaii his freshman season.

But after watching the success Evans had throughout the season, is there any reason to bet against him?

No, he’s not that prototypical Michigan back—”three yards and a cloud of dust”—but it’s not like there’s room for only one back in this system. As I’ve discussed before, I don’t really expect the Wolverines to have a feature running back for a couple reasons.

Evans was an instant spark for Michigan numerous times last season. Just look at touchdown runs he had in the first and last games of the season.

He had two scores against Hawaii, the second of which was a 43-yard dash in the second half. He went straight up the middle and was never touched.

Then there was his run against the Seminoles.

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This isn’t to say Evans is going to be the starter when Michigan takes on Florida in September, but his role is almost certainly going to be increased this coming season. As the Wolverines move on from Smith, expect it to be Evans who reaps the rewards of missing carries from last season.

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