Michigan Football: 5 true freshmen Wolverines will count on in 2019

Zach Charbonnet

Heading into the offseason, it seemed like there was a good chance that Chris Evans would be the Wolverines starting running back in 2019. Yet, that was before he was suspended for academic reasons.

His future with the program isn’t clear but he won’t be back in 2019. That seemed to leave Michigan football a little short at running back but thankfully, the Wolverines have one of the top freshmen in the country in their backfield in Charbonnet, a four-star and top-50 recruit.

At 6-foot-1, 220 pounds, Charbonnet has the perfect blend of size and speed and according to Harbaugh, he has been coming on strong in fall camp.

He enrolled early but missed spring ball due to a knee scope. However, that allowed him to get familiar with the offense and will give him a better opportunity to make an impact in 2019.

Harbaugh has already said that Tru Wilson will be the starter Week 1. Yet, Charbonnet will play a key role whether he is starting or not. At some point though, he should emerge as the team’s top ball carrier and while Wilson’s pass protection will keep him on the field, it’s going to be tough keeping the ball away from Charbonnet.