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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan has something that’s certainly a quality problem at one certain position: running back.
What was an unknown a year ago with two new starters at the position in Zach Charbonnet and Hassan Haskins, now is a unit brimming with possibility. Not only because both of the aforementioned now have experience under their belts, but due to the return of former backup/occasional starter Chris Evans to the team.
Evans was suspended in 2019 due to academic reasons but was reinstated this offseason, getting an opportunity to practice with the team as it prepared to take on Alabama in the VRBO Citrus Bowl. It’s tough to go a year without football, but running backs coach Jay Harbaugh has liked what he’s seen from Evans virtually since he’s rejoined the squad.
“It’s been great to have Chris back – he’s doing an awesome job,” Harbaugh said. “Just getting himself familiarized with everything, learning the new system. Chris is – he’s really into the details of the game. He’s into learning the bigger picture – what are the linemen doing? What’s the defense trying to do? Why do we call this? He’s always asking me extra questions and stuff. His personality and his passion for learning has really suited him well in this time. And he’s equipped to handle not having – he’s able to say, ‘Ok, this play, we used to call this blank,’ whatever. So he’s able to equate things very simply. Sometimes he won’t get something and then he’ll be like, ‘Oh, this is like something we did back against Florida State.’ I’m like, ‘Man, you were a freshman then!’ So it’s pretty impressive how he’s able to do that.”
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Given, however, that there will be five guys vying for one or two positions on the field at any particular time, that’s what creates the quality problem.
Not only are Evans, Charbonnet and Haskins going to see time, you can also expect Christian Turner and true freshman Blake Corum to get carries. Though that seems like something of an issue — trying to decide who sees the field and when — Harbaugh actually appreciates not having obvious decisions to make, because ultimately it should make Michigan better for it.
“In terms of the other part of your question, it’s a blessing to have a great group of guys,” Harbaugh said. “Chris is the crafty vet, he’s got experience and I’m excited for him to be able to share that with the other guys. We’re just gonna keep growing, getting better as a group and keep competing. I know the end result of that is everyone is going to get a lot better. What it comes down to is you need a few guys to be ready to play and crazy things happen over the year, so you need a deep room. One of the things we all love about Coach Gatt is he loves to play multiple backs in two back sets. He’s done that in the past at other places. We did that a little bit last year. I think that we would have done a little bit more if we had just better luck with injuries. I think that’s another thing that leaves the door open for more opportunity and something that our guys are excited about.”
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