The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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THE WOLVERINE 2016 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 65 RUNNING BACKS "All the running backs are talented," Wheatley stressed. "They all possess unique qualities. Coming into a new system, you need some- one who is going to make the least mistakes, make the offensive line right. No matter how great your offensive line is, they can't block everybody. "There are going to be times when the defense wins some. But you want to eliminate the bad plays, and De'Veon gave us the ability to eliminate most of the bad plays. There were not a lot of tackles in the backfield for lost yards." That doesn't come solely from raw talent, Wheatley explained. "He is a hard fighter," Wheatley said. "He was able to win one- on-one matchups. Whether he could slightly make a guy miss or run through a tackle for yards after the contact. That's what he gave us the ability to do." It's clear, though, that Smith can't go it alone. He played through nagging injuries during the latter portion of the Big Ten season, and went without a 100-yard performance from the win over BYU to close out the non-conference schedule to the rampage over Florida. Smith could become only the second Michigan tailback in the past nine years to hit the 1,000-yard mark, but he'll need to stay healthier to get there. "We expect him to be ready," Wheatley assured. Ty Isaac (6-3, 228), a redshirt junior, appears on the verge of a breakout season himself, but he knows better than anyone that talk is cheap. He didn't draw a single carry in the Citrus Bowl, and the only finger he pointed was at himself, wishing he'd have worked into position to play that day. The labor he put in during the winter and spring impressed many behind the scenes. His 10 carries for 78 yards in the spring game turned some heads, and close observers said the performance wasn't an aberration. Isaac certainly features the physical tools — speed, size and cut- ting ability among them. He just needed to get up to speed with Harbaugh's offense and expectations, and he believes he's there now. "Being healthy definitely helps a lot," Isaac said. "Different player, no. Different mindset, yes. It's a lot different knowing that this year or next year could be your last at the school. You just want to perform. "I know what I've always expected from myself. I didn't feel as if I got it last season. I sat down with my mentor, my mom and dad. And I've just got to give 120 percent of myself. "Whatever happens, happens. I just want to know that I gave every- thing. Not that I wasn't doing it before, but I just want to work twice as hard and be twice as dedicated, because I know what I can do." Now it's a matter of doing it on game days. "When I talk about running backs, they have to understand who they are," Wheatley said. "Each running back is different. If you're not a power guy, you can't expect a guy to go out there and run with power. "Ty Isaac had to understand who he was as a running back and what was expected of him, how to practice. He really just had to be a consistent player. It's not just coming out and having a good day of practice, but putting together a good month of practice. "You can't have one good game. You must have consistent, back- to-back games. Once he understood that, it started to come together for him." Isaac's spring game performance underscored the coming-together process, but it reflected more than one evening of effective running, Wheatley stressed. "He had a great spring," the coach said. "Now, he must have a great fall camp and put it all together. The expectation of all the guys is trust." That trust involves ball security, pass protection, knowing the offense and doing plenty beyond gaining yards with the football, Wheatley explained. While he noted Isaac's obvious gains, a spot in PRESEASON ANALYSIS: RUNNING BACKS Starter ✪ ✪ ✪ De'Veon Smith is the type of back that gets Jim Harbaugh pumping his fist on the side- lines. He's tough, "contact courageous," and just plain ornery when it comes to taking on tacklers. Smith isn't a home run hitter in terms of breakaway speed, but he's a battering ram that can soften things up for himself and others. Depth ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ This could be the best depth the Wolverines have featured at tailback in some time. Three experienced competitors can rotate, and rookies will be pushing hard for time. Michigan goes six deep in scholarship performers at the spot, and all could potentially see the field at some point. X-Factor It's health, sure as a forklift hurts. Smith gets banged up via his aggressive style. Ty Isaac missing time in the spring of 2015 cost him. Drake Johnson has endured two surgeries and occasionally gets run over. Michigan will need its depth and some good fortune. Overall ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ This should be a breakout year. The top trio of tailbacks barely topped 1,200 yards com- bined in 2015. They could potentially double that total this time around, even if none of them cracks the 1,000-yard barrier. Most importantly, they need to deliver in November like they did last January, and Isaac has to join the fun. Note: Star rankings are made on a scale of 1-5 stars. Nine months after his second major knee surgery, fifth-year senior Drake Johnson carried the ball 54 times for 271 yards and four touch- downs during the 2015 campaign. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN