The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/698673
64 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2016 FOOTBALL PREVIEW RUNNING BACKS BY JOHN BORTON M ichigan running backs enjoyed their day in the sun on Jan. 1. They helped pile up 225 rushing yards in a 41-7 steam- roll of a Florida defense that entered the game hyped as a sideways-semi roadblock. Whether a result of a month to get healthy following a grueling season, the coming together of Michigan's offensive line or a Florida crew caving at the end of the year, the Wolverines ran wild on New Year's Day. De'Veon Smith (5-11, 228), a senior in 2016, led the way with 109 yards on 25 carries, while rising fifth-year senior Drake Johnson (6-1, 210) burst out for 58 yards and a touch- down on six tries. Michigan's offensive linemen came away from that contest declaring it the floor for 2016. They want to keep rising — an ambi- tious goal, given the New Year's Day bottom line. "It's consistent repetition," Michigan running backs coach Tyrone Wheatley said, regarding the Wolverines' strong showing in the Citrus Bowl. "We got to a point where the runs that we were dialing up, the guys had a pretty good feel for, and the line got into a good rhythm. Everything just started to click — guys seeing fronts, under- standing the fronts, understanding the runs. "The running backs are the same way. It was all a rhythm. They're understanding the rhythm, and being able to see things and hit the creases." Smith paced the Wolverines with 753 yards and six touchdowns on 180 carries a year ago. He's a powerhouse, beloved by head coach Jim Harbaugh for his fearless- ness of contact and his extremely high mo- tor. Wheatley assured that Smith is Michi- gan's lead back heading into fall camp, in part because he's the best all-around per- former the Wolverines can put on the field. From pass blocking to knowing what to do in Michigan's offense, Smith separated himself. Run To DaylighT Depth And Competition Make For A Brighter Backfield Future Year-By-Year Rushing Leader Year Player Carries Yards TD 2015 De'Veon Smith 180 753 6 2014 De'Veon Smith 108 519 6 2013 Fitzgerald Toussaint 185 648 13 2012 Denard Robinson 177 1,266 7 2011 Denard Robinson 221 1,176 16 2010 Denard Robinson 256 1,702 14 2009 Brandon Minor 96 502 8 2008 Brandon Minor 103 533 9 2007 Mike Hart 265 1,361 14 2006 Mike Hart 318 1,562 14 Senior De'Veon Smith has paced the Wolverines' ground attack each of the past two seasons, with last year's 753-yard effort representing a career best. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN