The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/137378
RB "Smith reminds me of Mike. Same speed, maybe a little faster. Same toughness. Same determination." Battering Rams Jackson isn't sure yet how the third rookie ball carrier in this freshman class — Wyatt Shallman — fits in. On the surface, the 6-3, 245-pound Novi, Mich., native seems poised to play fullback, but he possesses the athleticism to run the football. More importantly, he has the strength and size to add an element lacking a year ago. "There have been too many times in short-yardage situations that we didn't get the first down, and I need someone in there that if we don't pick up the block, he can create his own yard," Jackson said. "I gave Brandon Minor the ball against Penn State in 2010, he got hit in the backfield but he ran through the tackle and got the yard. And we haven't had that since. "You have to be able to get third-and-ones. I don't care who comes unblocked — you have to get the yard. And at 250 pounds, with his experience in high school as a running back, I think that's a role he could fill for us immediately. After that, we'll see." Shallman will not be rushed to fullback because there is not a necessity thanks to the return of redshirt sophomore Joe Kerridge and sophomore Sione Houma. Before departing, Stephen Hopkins earned more starts (four), but Kerridge played extensively a year ago, appearing in 11 games a reserve fullback. The 6-0, 241-pounder caught one pass for 12 yards, and he's capable of more, but his primary focus is blocking. "Joe is a very physical guy. He's more athletic than some of my bigger guys have been," Jackson started. "He loves football. He's smart. He will be outstanding because he wants to be that. "Every day I see the kid, he has a smile on his face. He wants you to coach him. He's like a sponge, wanting you to give more information. "I love having him in my room because of his energy, and on the field, he's going to help us because he's going to open holes. He's going to hit a 250-pound linebacker and move him." Quick Facts Position Coach: Fred Jackson (22nd season). Returning Starter: TB Fitzgerald Toussaint (21 starts). Departing Starters: TB Vincent Smith (14), FB Stephen Hopkins (5). Projected New Starter: FB Joe Kerridge. Top Reserves: TB Thomas Rawls (1), FB Sione Houma. Wait Until 2014: TB Justice Hayes, TB Drake Johnson. Newcomers: TB Derrick Green, TB De'Veon Smith, TB/FB Wyatt Shallman. Moved In: TB Dennis Norfleet (from cornerback). Moved Out: None. Rookie Impact: Derrick Green. Most Improved Player: Drake Johnson. Best Pro Prospect: Fitzgerald Toussaint. FYI: The Wolverines' running backs averaged only 3.9 yards per carry last season, representing the lowest average since the 1999 running back contingent also had a 3.9yard average … The last time U-M ran a pro-style offense for an entire season, in 2007, Mike Hart rushed for 1,361 yards and Michigan's backs totaled 2,151 yards … Fitzgerald Toussaint is looking to become only the 11th Wolverine in school history to rush for 1,000 yards or more in two seasons … He would be the second ball carrier in program history to do so while having a sub-1,000-yard effort in between; Mike Hart had 1,445 yards in 2004, 662 yards in 2005 and 1,562 yards in 2006 … Toussaint has totaled 728 yards in his five career 100-yard performances … Thomas Rawls' 63-yard gallop against Illinois was the third-longest run by a Wolverine in 2012 and the longest by a running back (Denard Robinson had 79- and 67-yarders) … Justice Hayes scored a touchdown on his third career carry. Only two players during the last 20 years — Robinson, second carry, and Stephen Hopkins, first — accomplished the feat more quickly … Hopkins' four starts at fullback in 2012 were the most for that position since Mark Moundros started seven games in 2007 … Michigan's first-string fullback hasn't rushed for 100 yards in a season since B.J. Askew had 568 yards in 2002 … U-M's top-two fullbacks — Joe Kerridge and Sione Houma — combined for 3,364 yards rushing during their high school careers. 92 ■ The Wolverine 2013 Football Preview Houma was the featured ball carrier for Highland High School in Salt Lake City, and he needed a lot of work early in his career (and still does) in his transition to fullback. Last fall, the 6-0, 229-pounder played in 13 games on special teams, notching two tackles, and saw action offensively in a pair of contests. He's learning quickly, though. "Everything you teach Sione is a first because he had never blocked like this," Jackson said. "He's getting better every time out because of repetition, want to, and will. The good thing is he didn't have any bad habits. I taught him everything the way it should be done, and he does that every time. "People want to understand how a guy that weighs 225 can move a guy 250, but he can do it because of technique and leverage. "He's a wonderful kid. He's a lot like the rest of my guys — they have great attitudes. They come to the building every day wanting to get better. "We had a lot of fun in the spring, and we're going to have a lot more this season." ❏ Big Ten Rankings PLAYERS 1. Venric Mark, Sr., Northwestern — The 2012 Doak Walker Award semifinalist scampered for 1,366 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior, and also earned first-team All-America honors from multiple national publications for his efforts as a punt returner after averaging 18.7 yards per return and scoring twice. 2. Ameer Abdullah, Jr., Nebraska — The second-team All-Big Ten back was vaulted into the spotlight a year ago due to injuries suffered by senior Rex Burkhead, and never relinquished his workhorse role. He finished the season with 1,137 yards and eight touchdowns to solidify his role as the Huskers' top I-back option. 3. James White, Sr., Wisconsin — White has been consistently overshadowed by the record-breaking career of departed running back Montee Ball, but appears poised for a breakout year of his own as the top man in Wisconsin's backfield. The senior has totaled 2,571 yards and 32 touchdowns in his collegiate career. 4. Carlos Hyde, Sr., Ohio State — The onus of the offense will be on spectacular junior quarterback Braxton Miller, but Hyde will provide a bruising change of pace out of the backfield for the Buckeyes. The big, speedy back looks to break the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career after stockpiling 970 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2012. 5. Zach Zwinak, Sr., Penn State — Head coach Bill O'Brien was largely lauded for his work with PSU's quarterbacks in his first season, but Zwinak carved his own niche within the Nittany Lion offense, rushing for 1,000 yards and charging into the end zone six times. 6. Fitzgerald Toussaint, 5th-Sr., Michigan — Toussaint's 2012 campaign was ended by a gruesome late-season leg injury. Expected back at full speed this year, he looks to break the 1,000-yard mark for the second time in his career. 7. Melvin Gordon, So., Wisconsin — Gordon has been limited early in his career by the talent above him on the depth chart, but still managed to average 10.0 yards per carry in 2012. He has the strength and elusiveness to make an impact in 2013. 8. Donnell Kirkwood, Jr., Minnesota — The feisty Gopher offense was fueled by Kirkwood, who started 13 games and finished with a team-best 926 rushing yards on 218 carries (4.2 yards per carry). 9. Stephen Houston, Jr., Indiana — Houston was an anchor for an injury-riddled offense that featured a revolving door at quarterback. He accounted for 1,130 total yards (749 rushing, 381 receiving) and 16 total touchdowns. 10. Mark Weisman, Jr., Iowa — The former walk-on burst onto the scene for the Hawkeyes out of necessity in 2012, and rushed for 623 yards over a four-game midseason stretch before being limited by an ankle injury. UNITS 1. Wisconsin — In James White and Melvin Gordon, the Badgers possess yet another potential two-headed monster out of the backfield. Both are capable of 1,000-yard seasons in 2013. 2. Nebraska — Ameer Abdullah was an absolute battering ram last season, and sophomore Imani Cross is a 225-pound power back who rumbled for 324 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie. 3. Michigan — The return of fifth-year senior Fitzgerald Toussaint, the arrival of highprofile freshman Derrick Green and the potential emergence of junior Thomas Rawls should offer the Wolverines plenty of backfield options. 4. Ohio State — Although Carlos Hyde is grabbing the headlines heading into the 2013 season, junior Rod Smith, sophomore Bri'onte Dunn and redshirt freshman Warren Ball all turned heads during spring ball. 5. Northwestern — Second-team All-Big Ten honoree Venric Mark is the clear starter in the NU backfield, but the Wildcats employ depth at the position, particularly in senior Mike Trumpy, who ran for 349 yards and three scores as the primary backup in 2012.