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Michigan’s loaded running backs room just got a little more log jammed — which is something of a quality problem.
With returning co-starters Zach Charbonnet and Hassan Haskins both fully healthy now, the former heir apparent and recent backup Chris Evans back after a year-long suspension and true freshman speedster Blake Corum in the mix, it seems that the Wolverines have one of their best situations in years. And now, it’s getting even better.
On Aug. 11, just hours before the Big Ten announced that it was postponing the fall season, third-year tailback Christian Turner announced that he would be sitting out in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On Saturday, however, it appears that Turner is back in the fold, as first reported by Maize n Brew and MLive’s Aaron McMann.
Michigan football’s already deep running back room is deeper than expected, as Christian Turner has opted back into the 2020 season, U-M spokesperson David Ablauf confirmed with Maize n Brew Saturday morning..
The 5-foot-11, 203-pound redshirt sophomore opted out of the 2020 season back in August, becoming the first U-M player to do so due to the pandemic. But he has since deleted his announcement on Twitter and is back with the team as of last month.
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Back in May, Michigan running backs coach Jay Harbaugh shared what Turner brings to the table, nothing that he also had some health issues, but is now similarly fully healthy and could be a boon to the running backs rotation.
“Yeah, CT is ready to roll,” Harbaugh said. “He’s healthy, we’re super excited about it. Just love him, love everything he’s about. He’s worked his butt off to get back and be healthy. It’s a bummer that he wasn’t able to get the rust off in spring. But he’s done a great job of getting ready. Going into the season, I’m just excited for him to be able to get on the field and do what he loves to do. Absolutely loves to play football. I’m absolutely dying to see him out there and doing what he loves to do. And impacting on special teams and as a running back, continuing to improve his feel, his patience, his footwork in the backfield. Really all the little things are going to let him harness all that explosiveness that he has. Like I said, I can’t wait to see it.”
Additionally, Jim Harbaugh has tended to sing the praises of walk-on RB Lucas Andrighetto, who was lost before the 2018 season due to an ACL injury. However, he’s also fully healthy and has made an impression on the Wolverines head coach in practice this offseason.
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