The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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really pleased with the way he's doing that now … just more focused and be- ing about it. "He was never a talker or a complainer or anything. There's nothing but a steely eyed look at what he's doing, and he's doing it." Isaac had rushes of 30, 29 and 14 yards in the spring game, his 7.8 yards per carry a stark contrast to the 2.2 yards per rush that Michigan's six other tailbacks and fullbacks averaged April 1 on their 17 combined attempts. "This is a step. This isn't where I ulti- mately want to be, but it's a good step- ping stone," Isaac said after the game. Isaac's goal is to unseat senior De'Veon Smith to become Michigan's opening- day starter against Hawaii. That is a tall challenge for Isaac — or fifth-year senior Drake Johnson, sopho- more Karan Higdon, or early enrolled freshmen Kareem Walker and Kingston Davis — because Smith continues to win his coach's highest confidence. "De'Veon Smith is the clear-cut starting tailback," said Harbaugh, who appreci- ates Smith's ferocious attitude. "He's the first one in there no matter what drill we're doing. If it's a live drill, he doesn't shy away." The 5-11, 228-pound Smith played only a handful of snaps in the spring game and didn't carry the ball, the Warren, Ohio, native noting the under-the-lights affair was a terrific opportunity for younger players to showcase their potential. Johnson did receive a long run in the game, rushing five times for 11 yards while catching a nine-yard touchdown pass. Meanwhile, rookies Walker and Davis to- taled 15 yards on eight carries, each earning four rushing attempts. The tailbacks didn't dazzle on that night, with the exception of Isaac, but with Smith, Johnson and Isaac showing improvement this spring, Michigan is excited about its one-two-three punch. The coaches are not stressing about who starts the first game, but among the Wolverines, the competition is fierce. "I practice every day to win the starting job," Isaac said. "I wouldn't want to play with someone that isn't trying to be the starter." — Michael Spath Isaac, a redshirt junior, has turned it around this spring after being benched for the rest of the year in the seventh game last season. He led all rushers with 78 yards on 10 carries in the spring game. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL