The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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THE WOLVERINE 2016 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 67 RUNNING BACKS Beyond those two, several others are working hard, Wheatley pointed out. "Wyatt Shallman has worked really hard and Bobby Henderson has also," the coach said. "They'll compete for some time." There's no doubt Harbaugh is committed to an offense with strong fullback play, so the reloading engenders no surprise. Wheatley read- ily acknowledges the occasional give to the fullback keeps defenses off balance. "It helps when you have a guy that can carry the ball, instead of just blocking," he said. "It really does help — it helps a lot." The question remains, how big of a step can Michigan make in the run game? Countless factors help frame the answer, but the Wolverines carrying the football all figure to battle for their part in the puzzle. "In order to take a step forward in anything, you have to be con- sistent," Wheatley said. "You can't have your peaks and valleys. It's continuing in growth. "We can't have any days where we're taking a step backwards. All games, you will not run for 100 yards. There will be some tough games. Don't try to do more than what's asked of you. Play within the scheme and system, and you'll get better. "That's what we started to understand toward the latter part of the year. Like any competitor, they want to make all the plays. They want to be the guy to make it happen. You must do that within the system, within the concepts that are given to you … "We must win the one-on-one matchups and get all the yards given to us, and we will get better." If any doubts arise, the Citrus Bowl video isn't far away. ❏ New Fullbacks Ready To Go Khalid Hill happened to be the right man at the right time last year. Now the redshirt junior and his classmate, Henry Poggi, are expected to take on the fullback duties for the Wolverines in 2016. They've both gotten a taste of it before — when senior fullbacks Joe Kerridge and Sione Houma were injured last year, Hill stepped in briefly during the BYU game. "I showed I can be more versatile as a player," Hill said. "I can play tight end, I can line up in the backfield. Line up and go hit somebody. "From there, Coach [Jim] Harbaugh said, 'Hey, I'd like to see you at fullback.' And I said, 'Yeah, whatever I can do to help the team.'" He and Poggi are helping full-time there this season. They admitted it's an adjustment, but both are ready and willing hitters who have embraced the challenge. Plus, it was pointed out, Michigan fullbacks actually run the ball a bit these days, with Houma garnering 43 carries and Kerridge 14 last year. "I haven't run the ball since I was about 10 years old," Hill admitted. "I'm looking forward to the change, looking forward to getting my first carry." Asked if he was good as a running back, Hill grinned. "I was great," he said. "In my eyes, I was great. My last carry was a 60-yarder. I didn't score. I got caught." Of course, more often than not, Hill and Poggi will be pounding away and paving the way for Michigan's tailbacks to move the chains. They're fine with the role, they insist. "I like coaches depending on me to make that hole for a guy to get out in the open," Hill said. "I want to help the team get down the field, so if I can make a block on the linebacker to break De'Veon [Smith] or Ty [Isaac] open, I'm going to do it. "You just do whatever you have to do for the team. The thanks you get is winning." Poggi noted he remained at a four on a 1-10 scale of understanding before spring prac - tice, regarding the fullback position. He came out of it at an eight and expressed confidence going forward. Poggi played some fullback last year as well, but wasn't where he wanted to be in the role. "Last year, there were moments I was trying to go out and just play football, not really knowing technique," he said. "That's something they've been harping on. "But I like it a lot. There is always going to be some sort of physical play, and I like that a lot. I like coming downhill and smashing guys. You get the ball, too, which is very nice. We're working on it." Poggi acknowledged that he, too, took notice when Houma began to rumble with the carries last season. "Everyone wants the ball," Poggi said, laughing. "But we'll see." — John Borton Former tight ends Khalid Hill (left) and Henry Poggi (above), both redshirt juniors, were moved to fullback in large part due to their blocking skills. PHOTOS BY LON HORWEDEL