The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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64 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW know the skills that took him to 997 yards over the last two seasons are enough to build upon. "He lets me know to just be me," Haskins said. "Don't try to overthink things, or do things out of your character. Just be me. I take that into consideration." Those assurances by no means rule out improvement, Haskins stressed. He's expect- ing to become a stronger part of Michigan's backfield in every way, directed by someone who has been there before. "Just an all-around better back — pass blocking, making people miss more and scor- ing the touchdowns," Haskins said. "Helping my team win. Anything and everything I do on the field, just get 100 percent out of me. Giving my all. I'm just going to be a better player all around. "Coach Hart came in with great excite- ment. He comes in every day to work and get us better. He told us it's going to be an exciting year in a lot of ways." Part of the excitement necessarily involves an offense that's on the rise as well. After producing 789 rushing yards and averaging 28.3 points per game in last fall's half-dozen outings, the Wolverines are all about chang- ing those totals. Haskins remains convinced Michigan's attack will take some strong steps up in Josh Gattis' third season as offensive coordinator. The Wolverines have an opportunity to be more settled all around, including at quar- terback. "I love Cade," Haskins noted, regarding redshirt freshman quarterback Cade McNa- mara. "That's my guy. He knows how to take control and be a leader. He definitely looked good, coming back this spring and doing his thing. That's my guy." Unlike last year, Haskins' guy and others at quarterback get the chance to rally the troops all summer. No longer under a COVID lockdown, they'll be looking to fine-tune the offense much more before they hit camp in the fall. That should make for a big change, Haskins assured. "It's definitely going to be different," he said. "We're going to be together as a team, as a unit. We're going to have chemistry, building bonds with everybody else. It's go- The 6-1, 220-pounds Haskins is capable of running over defenders, and he takes pride in provid- ing that physical presence on the field. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL "We have great players on both sides of the ball, O and D. They fit. The feeling is just different. The coaches … it feels right. It feels better." HASKINS