Michigan Football: How good will running backs be in 2021?

Heading into the 2021 Michigan football season, the Wolverines are loaded at running back, and here’s a preview for the position. 

When it comes to the Michigan football offense, the first topic of conversation is often the quarterback position.

Considering some of the struggles Michigan football has had over the years at the position, particularly in 2020, it’s understandable and it’s something U-M has to get figured out.

But a really good running game can be a quarterback’s best friend and regardless of who is under center for the Wolverines, the running game should be the focal point of the offense.

Here’s a preview of the position heading into this season, as well as some projections.

Michigan football running back depth chart

Starter: Hassan Haskins

Backups: Blake Corum, Donovan Edwards 

Just like in 2020, the depth shouldn’t be an issue for the Wolverines at running back. Haskins is back for essentially a third season as a part-time starter, except he will be the guy now.

There’s no doubt that Corum and Edwards, a five-star running back recruit signed in 2021, will get their opportunities. They are dynamic and are better pass-catchers than Haskins, but if Michigan football wants to ground and pound this season, Haskins is the ticket.

Haskins isn’t the fastest running back in the world. But he always gets positive yards, he’s tough as nails, and as long as he actually gets fed the ball he will have a breakout season.

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For his career, Haskins has just 182 carries which he has turned into 997 yards. That’s an average of 5.5 yards per rush and last season, he was at 6.1, although he got 61 carries.

For my money, if Haskins gets the 200 carries or so he should this season, a 1,000-yard campaign is well within reach. The biggest obstacle in that goal could be his fellow backs.

Corum has really beefed up over the offseason and running backs coach Mike Hart compared Corum to himself, talking especially about his work ethic. The sophomore also made some plays as a freshman and he’s too good to play a secondary role.

The same goes for Edwards, who simply has to get involved with the offense. Edwards is a threat to score any time he touches the ball and the staff needs to make sure both he and Corum are touching the ball around 10 times per game.

Michigan’s coaching staff seems to believe that the offensive line is going to be a strength this season and I believe it. So the backs need to be showcased and I think they will be.

In terms of overall production, this could be mirror 2016 when four guys rushed for more than 400 yards or even 2015 when four guys went over 200 yards for the season.

If I was to rank position groups on offense though, running back would be near the top, and hopefully after the disaster last season, they are utilized much better.