The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1083898
in Michigan's backfield this fall. How big is yet to be determined, but some who saw him play in person believe he'll be an immediate contributor. Charbonnet flirted with five-star status, but his injury prevented a move up from his No. 60 national ranking on Rivals.com's list. "He's still one of my favorite play- ers in the West this recruiting cycle, and I think he picked the perfect school in Michigan because he's a ground-and-pound running back who embraces contact and is difficult to bring down," Rivals.com national recruiting analyst Adam Gorney said. "He should fit in perfectly in Ann Arbor. Charbonnet is the type of no- nonsense, productive running back that Michigan fans should love im- mediately. "He actually looked to hit people more than he looked to avoid it. That's what I liked most about him. When he had the ball, he lowered his shoulder and embraced contact and bounced off of people. When he had to pass block, he had no issues doing that. He does a little bit of everything that Michigan is going to want him to do, and he's got surprising speed. "When I call him a bruising running back, that doesn't mean he can't get on the edge and make people miss too. He's pretty good at that as well." Charbonnet burst on to the national scene when he rushed for 2,049 yards and 23 touchdowns as a junior in 2017, averaging 136.6 yards per game. He also hauled in 169 receiving yards and a touchdown on 27 catches, showing off great hands in the process. When Collins first got him, he real- ized Charbonnet still had a lot of work to do on his pass blocking. He's come a long way in that respect. As a run- ner, Collins added, there aren't many better. "He's tough and relentless, and I don't use those words lightly," he said. "He uses power and leverage that way … he's not a big, stiff guy. He has some wiggle. "As a running back you've got to have toughness, but it's his ability to make guys miss at his size that's going to be impressive to people up there. I think people are going to be shocked with how nimble he is with his feet." He's also unique in that he's not an attention seeker. He rarely did inter- views on the recruiting process, never sought attention and was the consum- mate team leader. "Rarely do you have a kid talented like that and who has the highest char- acter about winning," Collins said. "That began to stand out more than football. That alone is outstanding. Having been in the pro football world and seeing players turn into divas as soon as they get contracts … that's not going to be Zach. "He's just a regular guy and a team guy. He loves carrying the ball, and he's a selfless star." One who could well have a chance to put his stamp on the Michigan pro- gram sooner rather than later. ❑ U-M head coach Jim Harbaugh "Zach just straps it up, buckles his chin strap, and runs and blocks with a purpose — he wants to play strong, tough and fast, and I really appreciate that about him." DID YOU KNOW? • He helped lead Oaks Christian to a 12-1 record in 2018 and a semifinals appearance in the CIF Southern Section of the California state playoffs. Oaks Christian won four straight league titles with the help of Charbonnet. • Stayed incredibly quiet throughout the recruiting process, and revealed that his entire family is made up of quiet workers and aren't ones to boast about their accom- plishments. • His mother, Seda Hall, came to the U.S. from France, and is part Cambodian and part Chinese. • Focused on basketball and baseball when he was young, and didn't start playing foot- ball until seventh grade. • Invited to play in the 2019 Under Ar- mour All-American Game, but did not participate due to an undisclosed injury that eventually required surgery. • As a senior, he accumulated 171 re- ceiving yards on 15 catches, three in- terceptions, 18 tackles, two pass breakups and a forced fumble on defense. • In 2017 as a junior, Charbonnet posted 169 yards and a score on 27 catches, while recording 36 tackles, four sacks and an in- terception on the defensive side of the ball. • As a sophomore, he reeled in 88 receiv- ing yards on eight grabs, and tallied 24 tack- les, two picks and 11 passes defended. THEY SAID IT • Rivals.com national recruiting analyst Adam Gorney: "He's all business, no nonsense, and he's one of the toughest running backs I've seen in recent years. He has speed to the outside, he can run between the tackles, and he could be special in Ann Arbor." • Rivals.com national recruiting director Mike Farrell: "In Jim Harbaugh's offense Charbonnet is a great fit and should be physically ready. Is he the next great running back in the Big Ten? I think he could be." • Opposing head coach Jack Willard of Camarillo High: "He's strong, fast, quick and has all the great attributes. For me, the thing that stood out most about him was how much of an effort guy he is. A lot of times, you get superior athletes in high school who can get away with just being great athletes, and as a result will take plays off here and there. That's not Charbonnet, and I think that will allow him to fit right in at Michigan." MARCH 2019 THE WOLVERINE 39 In his final two years of high school, Charbonnet ran for 3,844 yards and 40 touch- downs on 480 totes, an aver- age of 8.0 yards per carry. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM