Michigan Football: 5 questions facing the Wolverines after spring ball

Is there enough depth at running back?

Last season, Michigan football ran the ball pretty well and was sixth in the Big Ten at 204 yards per game. The Wolverines also averaged 4.8 yards per carry.

While UM struggled to run the ball effectively in losses to Notre Dame, Ohio State and Florida, in top-25 wins over Wisconsin, Penn State and Michigan State, the Wolverines dominated on the ground, racking up an average of 259 yards.

Despite converting to the speed-and-space offense, Gattis himself said that Michigan still wants to be a run-centered team and who doesn’t? Running the football still correlates well to winning games.

And you can still be a running team and be up-tempo. Look at Oklahoma over the years. However, the question is does Michigan football have the running back talent to be a good running team?

If healthy, Christian Turner has shown flashes and Harbaugh said he was surging this spring before getting injured. Four-star freshman Zach Charbonnet, one of the top backs in the 2019 class, enrolled early but didn’t practice and another young back, Hassan Haskins also missed much of the spring.

Ben VanSumeren moved to running back and Ben Mason, who will play both ways, could play there too along with some other walk-ons. Giles Jackson also played running back in high school and was recruited as a wide receiver despite being ranked as a top all-purpose back.

Those are some of the options. If everyone is healthy by fall camp, Michigan should be in good shape. If not, the Wolverines will be relying heavily on Tru Wilson and unless Chris Evans gets reinstated, Wilson’s 364 yards last season (5.9 average) will make him the leading returning rusher.