The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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THE WOLVERINE 2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 65 RUNNING BACKS when they say, 'Give me a man.' Don't be afraid. Just go out there and do what you're supposed to do. "There are enough running backs there. A few freshmen are coming in that are going to get a chance to play. This is a coaching staff, too, where you earn it on the practice field." Samuels showed flashes this spring, Jay Harbaugh said. He just needs to be consistent. "He's come along really nicely," the coach said. "He's trying to do it consistently. The kid tries to do everything exactly right. "If he doesn't get it right, he tries to figure out exactly what went wrong, asks how do I fix it and does a great job fixing it the next time out. He's fun to work with and very, very fast." The freshmen, too, have great potential. Buford (Ga.) High's Christian Turner is a 5-11, 185-pounder with deceptive power. He played in only seven games as a senior due to a leg injury, but he still managed 801 rushing yards and eight scores on 115 carries (7.0 yards per carry), while Eureka (Mo.) High big back Hassan Haskins (6-1, 207) carried the ball 255 times for 2,197 yards (8.6 yards per carry) and scored 31 touchdowns in his final prep season. He also recorded 12 recep- tions for 165 yards and two more scores. The fullbacks, meanwhile, will be para- mount to the Wolverines' success, as they almost always are in a Jim Harbaugh offense. "In this offense, they're as important as can be," Morris said. "I'd say just as important as a left tackle or any other critical position. "This offense wants to pound the ball down opponents' throats. They want to control the ball game, and the fullback is essential to what they need with what they want to do. Ben Mason is one guy who will be essential to this offense." The 6-3, 251-pound Mason made his mark primarily on special teams last year, but he's got elite potential as a lead blocker. The sophomore could also do some dam- age carrying the ball, though he's more of a smasher, having won the team's Toughest Player award last year for a reason. "Ben Mason … that kid is going to be something else," Morris said. "He's that 'get dirty' guy, a guy who is going to get down and dirty and make things happen when you need him." Fifth-year senior linebacker Jared Wan- gler (6-2, 240) moved to fullback from line- backer, and Morris believes he's got what it takes, as well. "I think he's going to be something to reckon with," he said. "He's going to give them some depth." The bottom line with all the backs — there's talent at the top, but the coaches need to build some depth not just for this fall, but also for the future. ❏ Junior Chris Evans has rushed 223 times for 1,299 yards and 10 touchdowns, while catching 22 passes for an additional 244 yards and a score, during his college career. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN