The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1473191
[ R U N N I N G B A C K S ] 56 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2022 FOOTBALL PREVIEW "The Kalel Mullings thing was interest- ing," Karsch said. "They had a power back who was good in short yardage in Haskins, who was more than just that. Maybe Mull- ings could be that guy. Tavierre Dunlap has got some ability but went through some growing pains as a true freshman, which is fine. It's typical." That's it, as far as scholarship backs are concerned, with the possible exception of junior wideout A.J. Henning seeing some action at running back. Harbaugh mentioned that possibility this spring as well. The wild card here involves C.J. Stokes, a 5-11, 190-pound incoming freshman from Columbia, S.C., who topped 3,300 yards rushing as a prep. But it might be tough for a true freshman to make much head- way at running back this season, unless injuries intervene. Assistant coach Mike Hart won't be stealing his old No. 20 from Mullings in order to slip back onto the field. At the same time, Michigan fans might still see echoes of Hart in the way the Wolverines' backs are operating these days. "Mike Hart ran with such an edge," Karsch recalled. "Mike Hart played the game with such a chip on his shoulder. Watching the running backs last year, it felt like he had that impact. "That was a willingness to block, a will- ingness to put your shoulder down and an unwavering commitment to hanging onto the football. That's non-negotiable." Other non-negotiables remain for a team seeking to repeat a Big Ten championship season. This team doesn't have to rush for more than 3,000 yards like last year's, but a ma- jor falloff would mark a huge disap- pointment. Injuries could fuel it and derail the train the Wolverines hope to ride into Indianapolis and beyond. But you can't negotiate with the injury bug — just pre- pare and hope it stays away. Edwards stepping up in a major way is also non-negotiable for the Wolver- ines to enjoy success. Given what he showed in limited action as a true fresh- man, that's not an issue, but a weapon ready to be fully unleashed. So, the Wolverines' gridiron forecast for 2022 calls for more of the same — mostly cloudy for opposing run defenses, with an 81 percent chance of getting dominated. Like all weather forecasts, of course, one only knows for sure when the day arrives. ❑ X-FACTOR X-FACTOR DONOVAN EDWARDS excels in so many different areas, with the ability to line up in the backfield and at slot receiver, keeping opposing defenses guessing. The third-stringer's rushing numbers — 35 carries for 174 yards and 3 TDs — were modest, but he flashed in the pass game, too. Highlighted by a 10-catch, 170-yard day at Maryland, he had 20 receptions for 265 yards and 1 TD on the year. He also threw a 75-yard TD pass in the Big Ten Championship. Jim Harbaugh found himself discussing running backs while on former Wolverine Jon Jansen's "In The Trenches" podcast. While breaking into open territory, he dropped not the ball, but a Michigan football news bomb. Harbaugh discussed the much-pondered question of who becomes Michigan's third running back, behind re- doubtable junior Blake Corum and sophomore Donovan Edwards. The head coach began tentatively, then surged into an unexpected answer. "Who that third back will be or someone who can get into the rotation, or who can take Hassan Haskins' place, remains to be seen," Harbaugh began. "[Sophomore] Tavi Dunlap, he's got the skill set to do it. He's continued to improve as a runner and lowering his pads when he gets to the line of scrimmage. "But also, I'll let the cat out of the bag — I've moved [junior] Kalel Mullings to running back and linebacker. He's now a two-way player. He looked real good [in the spring game] and looked real good in practice. Now, the amount of knowing the plays and the offense will develop as he goes. But it could be Tavi, could be Kalel Mullings, as that guy who replaces a lot of the carries that Hassan Haskins had." The 6-1, 236-pound Mullings brings some intriguing background to his potential as a short-yardage banger. He's certainly not unaccustomed to carrying the football or scoring touchdowns. At West Roxbury (Mass.) Milton Academy two years ago, Mullings rushed for 371 yards and 22 touchdowns in his senior season. He also caught 18 passes for 289 yards and another 4 TDs. For him, it's a matter of picking up on the playbook. For junior wideout A.J. Henning, it's the coaches' choice to potentially turn him loose on the run to an even greater extent. Henning shines in the end-around game, his jet sweep touchdown against Ohio State highlighting a host of strong efforts he's delivered on the ground. In fact, in two seasons with the Wolverines, Henning boasts more rushing yards (177) than receiving yards (138). A second spring experiment could tweak Henning's role even more. According to Harbaugh, Henning might wind up looking a bit like versatile San Francisco 49ers standout Deebo Samuel, an All-Pro receiver who also excels in running the football. He caught 77 passes for 1,405 yards and 6 scores in 2021, adding 365 yards and 8 more touchdowns on the ground. "We're experimenting with A.J. at running back," Har- baugh revealed on the podcast. "It's not really the experi- mental stage — he's got the skill set to do it. We kind of envision a Deebo Samuel-type of role — ways to get him more touches, ways to get him the ball more." Henning himself made the comparison earlier, when asked how he sees his role in a session with the media. "Deebo Samuel — his role is being able to be placed all over the field," Henning said. "He's a unique talent. That's what I bring to the game, versatility." Those spring moves could bring both versatility and depth to Michigan's back- field. It already has the star power at the top and could grow significantly in its all-around game via these moves. — John Borton Junior Kalel Mullings has made 12 tackles in his U-M career so far at linebacker, and he added two-way duties this spring as a short-yardage running back. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND Kalel Mullings Provides An Interesting Option At Running Back