Michigan Football 2017 Position Preview: Running Backs

The Michigan football backfield will be missing a familiar face, but that doesn’t mean the position will be lacking this season.

It’s been a long time since Michigan football featured a premier running back, and 2017 isn’t likely to produce a new one. On the other hand, what the backfield lacks in star power for the upcoming season it more than compensates for with depth and athleticism.

What does that mean?

Well, as with most other positions on this year’s football team, things are going to be interesting at running back, and possibly quite a bit better than last season.

Mike Hart was arguably the last big-time running back in Michigan history. From 2004-2007, Hart had 28 100-yard games, a record that still stands. For those of you who like stats, Hart also had five 200-yard games, a record he still shares. Both of those records seem safe for at least another season.

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As good and reliable as De’Veon Smith was in 2016, his 846 yards will easily be replaced by Chris Evans, who at 5-foot-11 and pounds. is not an overpowering runner, but he has plenty of speed and athleticism. With a year of experience behind him, he may be a ready for a breakout season.

You may recall that Evans won the “spring combine” with a 4.64 in the 40-yard dash and a vertical leap of 36 inches. He can do things with the ball that Smith, as well as he played, was never able to do.

As far as the depth chart at running back is concerned, it looks as though Evans is going to get the lion’s share of the carries. Some analysts are predicting something like 700 yards running and another 300 yards receiving.

But here’s the thing. If Evans is n

ot another Hart, it probably won’t matter much. Behind him is Ty Isaac, who at 6-foot-3, 230 pounds brings a different look altogether to the running game. And behind Evans and Isaac are Karan Higdon (5-foot-10, 190 pounds) and Kareem Walker (6-foot-1, 208 pounds).

That’s a lot of depth, and making use of a committee at running back seems to fit with Harbaugh’s overall strategy on both sides of the ball. Players are moving in and out of the game all the time. Whether this is deliberate—in other words, a part of Harbaugh’s overall coaching philosophy—or whether this is the result of recruiting (or lack of recruiting) is hard to say.

Harbaugh may just land a five-star recruit for the running back position one of these days.

One more thing: Don’t forget that for short-yardage situations there is fullback Kahlid Hill who at 6-foot-2 and 263 pounds is nearly as big as an offensive lineman. Last year he scored 13 touchdowns. Down at the goal line, Hill was mighty tough to bring down, and it won’t be any easier this year.

Next: Top 10 running backs in Michigan history

The running back position is not the weak link offensively in 2017, and one or two of the guys in the backfield may well surprise us before the season is over.

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