The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/122487
as there is at the tight end position. Chesson and Darboh, too, have big-play ability, as does Gallon. "It's always a good idea every so often to try and take a ball deep," Borges said. "We decided we were going to do that at least once in the spring game." That one went to Darboh, though Chesson is generally considered the faster of the two players. "Jehu didn't do as much in the spring game. We only ran about 60 plays, but he has made some great plays in some of our scrimmages, and Amara has, too," Borges said. "I am not ready to say they have arrived, but they are certainly on track to. They have done a nice job all spring." Their work, though, is just begin- ning. It helps that they were able to make plays in the spring and prove they can do it against what looks to be one of the Big Ten's better defenses. Now, Borges said, they have to continue to work to do it more consistently. "They have to go through the summer," he said. "We can't coach them anymore, so they have to be selfstarters and continue to develop. "The quarterbacks will run offseason stuff. There is a lot of time between now and August. They have some great opportunities to continue to develop within our system, even though we won't be able to be there all the time." If they do, the offense could be one of the Big Ten's toughest to defend. ❏ Offensive Position Battles Still Ongoing Some of the best news from the spring involved a player who didn't participate much in contact drills — fifth-year senior running back Fitz Toussaint, who suffered a gruesome broken leg last fall. "Fitz has made really good strides. I think his progress has been good," head coach Brady Hoke said. Offensive coordinator Al Borges made it pretty clear the job would be Toussaint's to lose this fall, though he'll be pushed. Hoke said there was "little doubt" the fifth-year back, a 1,000-yard rusher two seasons ago, should be ready to go by the Aug. 31 opener. Junior Thomas Rawls was the best of the backs that participated in the spring game, rushing six times for 36 yards and busting around left end on a sweep for a 14-yard touchdown. "He had a really nice cut on one run," Hoke said. "[Sophomore] Dennis Norfleet [four carries for 18 yards] made a guy miss in the hole, and [redshirt freshman] Drake Johnson ran hard. [Redshirt sophomore] Justice Hayes protected well a couple times back there. We're a work in progress. "Has there been any separation yet? I don't think so." In the fall, freshman big backs De'Veon Smith and five-star Derrick Green will join the competition and try to earn playing time.