The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/666058
Reviewing stories from last spring, there was virtually nothing in the way of a compliment from one of Michigan's coaches about redshirt junior tailback Ty Isaac. Fast-forward 12 months and it seems like everyone is lauding the 6-3, 228-pounder for the growth he has made, except in the waistline — Isaac said he has lost 14 pounds and five percent body fat, down to nine percent overall now. "He has his weight down — you can see it's very important to him to be good," offensive coordinator Tim Drevno said. "Maybe it's just his growth as a football player and the growth in this system and what we're doing. You get a year older, the light kind of goes on a little bit brighter and they start to figure it out." Isaac appeared in six games in 2015, making one start, but he carried the ball just 30 times for 205 yards before getting benched permanently during the loss to Michigan State in October. He spent the offseason working to become stronger physically, emotionally and mentally, and most importantly learning what it would take to earn his coaches' trust. "I feel like I progressed this spring, got a lot more familiar with the playbook … accountability was a big thing for me," he said. "If I set a goal, I made sure I went out and did it, and I feel good about that. "I'm really dialed in. These past five, six months, I had some time to learn about myself and map out what I wanted to do, and so far I feel like I'm on the right path." Drevno and running backs coach Tyrone Wheatley both had positive things to say about Isaac this spring, but comments from the head coach mean the most and Harbaugh walked away from practices satisfied with the junior ball carrier. "You watch guys get rougher right before your eyes," Harbaugh said. "I'm What will it require to be that guy? The instruction manual has not changed from last year, but there is now a physical example — play like Rudock, especially over the last five games when he posted a 168.27 pass efficiency rat- ing, throwing for 1,574 yards with 14 touchdowns and two interceptions. "They have to complete passes. They have to not turn the ball over. They have to not take sacks. They have to create explosive plays. They have to avoid negative plays," Fisch said, re- peating a list that he issued around this time last year. "We grade them on that. They have to have the highest number, the highest points. "Someone is going to play that first play of the season and hopefully they play well right away." ❏ Ty Isaac Seeks To Threaten De'Veon Smith's Starting Role