Michigan Football: Re-examining the running back depth chart

Michigan football announced it will not have Chris Evans for the 2019 season this week, so here is a look at what it means for the running back depth chart.

With the news of the presumptive leading, returning back Chris Evans being suspended for the entire 2019 season, it leaves Michigan football with an issue before practice gets going in about two months.

That leaves a pretty significant hole in the backfield that must be filled on the fly. Taking a look at the depth chart there is an overabundance of talent to replace him, but can one ball carrier step up and be the workhorse that Jim Harbaugh so covets?

Christian Turner looks like the leader in the clubhouse at this point. He appeared briefly in the Peach Bowl loss to Florida with seven carries for 32 yards and one catch for 16 yards. More importantly, Turner showcased his speed on a 46-yard jet sweep for a touchdown that was called back because he stepped out-of-bounds. It was a signature moment that could have been the beginning of something special for the Georgia product. Nonetheless, Turner is just scratching the surface of his talents. He’ll almost certainly surpass his 20 plus touches from his freshman season as he hopes to break out and become the main focal point of Michigan football’s power attack.

Zach Charbonnet is the unquestioned future at the running back position, at least until another prize recruit comes along. He was rated as a composite four-star ball carrier from Westlake Village in California. He enrolled early at Michigan which is another important factor riding in his favor for the upcoming season. Charbonnet brings to the table the prototypical size and speed that Coach Harbaugh envisions out of his backs. The only concern facing him is will he be ready to go out of the gate or will it take time for the incoming freshman to learn the ropes?

Tru Wilson remains the wildcard in this whole situation. Wilson was an unexpected surprise for the first couple of affairs of the 2018 campaign. He averaged six yards a crack while his willingness to block may have to be the most impressive part of his walk-on stature.

Wilson became a fan favorite instantaneously and he’s the type of guy that every coach wants on their team. His tireless work effort makes him a force to be reckoned with and a sneaky jack of all trades that could win the starting position come fall.

On film Hassan Haskins performs like the real deal, however college is a different animal than high school altogether. From a physical standpoint, Haskins is a pounder that runs through and over opposing defenders. His raw power and vision are what set him apart though. He’s a threat to be taken seriously after technically red-shirting in his initial year in Ann Arbor. He owns numerous attributes that can only help him earn a spot behind Ben Mason in the Michigan backfield replacing the aforementioned Chris Evans.

Whoever forges their way to the top of the depth chart will no doubt-Earn It. Ultimately it always comes down to hard work and the results that these young men compile to gain the right to be called Michigan football’s starting ball carrier.

The group is in great hands with Jay Harbaugh calling the shots. Therefore the battle is going to be one to watch once camp gets rolling in August.