Final 2024 Michigan football preseason position analysis: Running Back

Excited to see what this group does this year! #GoBlue

Primer

Blake Corum is gone to the NFL, but his replacement as the starter has a ton of practical experience along with having shown he can carry the load in big games. Donovan Edwards returned for his senior year after a disappointing 2023 season but he’ll be looking to rebound in a big way after a huge performance in the national championship game. Kalel Mullings moves up the depth chart and looks to fill that Hassan Haskins ‘thunder’ role, while others vie for playing time.

Projected starter: Donovan Edwards
Rotation: Kalel Mullings, Jordan Marshall, Ben Hall

Position outlook

Edwards is entrenched as the starter and Mullings will assuredly be in heavy rotation. The question lies more on who the third back is. Hall enters his second year and only had 15 carries for 69 yards last season but freshman Jordan Marshall will certainly challenge him as the third back utilized.

Tavierre Dunlap and Cole Cabana could also see playing time as could walk-on Leon Franklin who’s seen a lot of snaps in garbage time over the years. Cabana is particularly intriguing as he has a versatile skill set similar to Edwards, but has been hampered with injury concerns during his short tenure in Ann Arbor. Freshman Micah Ka’apana is a strong redshirt candidate.