The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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COMMITMENT PROFILE chuckle. "We've been a Michigan fam- ily for years now. My little league team was called the Washtenaw Wolverines, so I've been a Wolverine for my whole life. It's only right that I do my college career the same." Falcon was at the Spring Game April 4, and while he didn't commit on the spot like Avon (Ind.) High quarter- back Brandon Peters and Farmington (Mich.) High linebacker David Reese did, he still enjoyed his time at the event immensely. "The visit was pretty big," he said. "I saw a lot of nice things at the spring game. There were a lot of things that I liked about the game and the atmo- sphere. It was great seeing everybody play and watching how the team runs under Coach Harbaugh. I think there's going to be a need for running backs when I get up there. I recognized that." Falcon is now training for track and doesn't plan to visit anywhere else, and is likely not going to be big on the camp scene this offseason either. As he trains, he has the nagging thought in the back of his mind about people questioning his durability. He missed his entire sophomore sea- son with a torn ACL, plus half of his junior season with lingering ankle and shoulder injuries. He knows what he's capable of and has a message for his doubters. "I think people just need to wait and see me this year," he said. "When they see me this year, they'll know. There's not much I can say. I am going to work as hard as I can to prove everybody wrong." — Brandon Brown FILM EVALUATION Strengths: Falcon has natural size and athletic ability for the running back position. He is a 22.11-second runner of the 200-meter dash, and that speed translates to the football field when he breaks into open space. Falcon is very shifty in the hole, and is able to make defenders miss and gain yardage after it looks like the play is bottled up. Areas Of Improvement: Although he has the build of a bruising, between- the-tackles runner, Falcon has spent much of his high school career breaking runs to the outside. That's helped him rack up big yardage, but is an avenue that won't be there as often in college. He has sustained minor injuries when playing a more physical game (as well as a non-contact ACL injury that caused him to miss his sophomore season), and will have to remain in top shape to avoid being banged up. Falcon has also battled issues with fumbles at times in his career, giving him a few opportunities to see the bench. He will have to work on his ball security. Michigan Player Comparison — Chris Perry (2000-03): Like Perry, Falcon is a tall, big, upright tailback that can make plays with his feet and break long runs into the secondary. A career like Perry's would be more than welcome. — Analysis from TheWolverine.com