The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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SEPTEMBER 2018 THE WOLVERINE 15 INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS Freshman Hassan Haskins Is Going To Surprise By Brandon Brown Senior Karan Higdon and junior Chris Evans are going to receive most of the carries and playing time in Michigan's backfield, but a third back needs to be identified. It could potentially end up being a committee approach, but I see incom- ing freshman Hassan Haskins making a strong push for the spot. The Missouri native arrived at Michigan at 6-1, 212 pounds and looked like a superhero in his uniform during U-M's photo shoot. He was billed as a very complete back coming out of high school by the Michigan coaches, and they love every aspect of his game. He ran the ball 255 times for 2,197 yards and 31 touch- downs as a senior, proving that he can carry the load and produce in a big way. Walk-on Tru Wilson is in his third year at Michigan and has been lauded all offseason, but it's hard to imagine him beat- ing out the rest of the talented scholarship backs. Incoming freshman Christian Turner and sophomore O'maury Samuels will both have something to say, but keep a close eye on Haskins because of his size, ability to block and proficiency as a receiver. Sophomore O'maury Samuels Will Rise To The Occasion By Chris Balas In the spring, head coach Jim Harbaugh surprised many when he reported that walk-on Tru Wilson had elevated himself into the Wolverines' No. 3 running back slot. Many assumed Kareem Walker (no longer on the team, having left this summer) would be the guy, and that perhaps he would even battle starters Karan Hig- don and Chris Evans for carries. In July, Higdon said to keep an eye on true freshman Christian Turner and predicted big things for the rookie. In August, running backs coach Jay Harbaugh said he was impressed with sophomore O'maury Samuels — spe- cifically with how he'd adjusted to the speed of the game. Samuels came to U-M from New Mexico, where he excelled against lesser talent, so there was a lot to learn against better athletes. Samuels, though, is an outstanding athlete himself, having proved it on the Nike camp circuit during his high school years. The 5-10, 205-pounder ran only eight times for 13 yards a year ago and didn't show much, but Jay Harbaugh liked what he saw from Samuels in the early going of fall camp. He's going to have a shot. POINT ❙ COUNTERPOINT WHO WILL BE MICHIGAN'S THIRD-STRING RUNNING BACK? Robbie Mertz has seen his role expand throughout each of his three years at Michigan, culminating in an outstand- ing junior campaign in 2017. He led the team in minutes played (1,755) and was the lone Wolverine to start every match, resulting in All-Big Ten second-team honors at season's end. The Pittsburgh native will look to build off of last year's performance during his final go-round in the Maize and Blue. Here are a few other interesting facts you may not have known about Mertz: Nickname: "A lot of people just call me by my last name, but nothing more than that." Favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor: "Blue Tractor. It's a barbecue place near Main Street, and their barbecue is fan- tastic." Best meal he can cook by himself: "I keep things simple, so I'd say grilled salmon with teriyaki sauce and white rice." Sports he plays besides soccer: "I play golf a lot in my spare time, and I wrestled when I was younger." Hobbies: "Listening to music. I'm a big music guy, so I also like to sing. I'm pretty boring, though, in terms of how I spend my time." Favorite TV show: "'Seinfeld.'" Favorite movie: "'Skyfall.' It's a James Bond movie." Dream vacation: "I'd love to go to one of those Greek islands in the Mediter- ranean." Favorite place he's been to: "There's a place called Lauterbrunnen, Switzer- land, where you can hike in the Swiss Alps, and it's absolutely beautiful there." Favorite professional athlete: "[Pitts- burgh Penguins center] Sidney Crosby. I love his work ethic and leadership quali- ties." Role model: "My dad." Why he chose Michigan: "Soccer was the first thing that drew me here, but I fell in love with Ann Arbor when I first visited it. It has a small city kind of feel to it, but the university itself of- fers everything you could want athleti- cally, academically and socially — you won't find a better balance anywhere in the country. There are so many op- portunities here to meet new people, learn different things and get out of your comfort zone." What he hopes to do after soccer: "I'd love to play professionally after I leave here. I've been thinking about law school once my playing days are done, but if that doesn't work out, then I'd try to utilize my business degree and hope- fully open my own business someday." His overall experience at Michigan: "It's been an absolute dream — there's no better way I can put it. The past three years have been the best years of my life." — Austin Fox Getting To Know Men's Soccer Senior Midfielder Robbie Mertz Mertz was named second-team All-Big Ten last year. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY HASSAN HASKINS O'MAURY SAMUELS