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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — It was big news two weeks ago, when it came down the pipeline: Wolverines running back Chris Evans won his appeal to return to the University of Michigan in Winter 2020, and thus will rejoin the football team this upcoming offseason.
Expected to be the starter this past year, with Karan Higdon graduating, it was something of a hit to the rotation, as the younger players had to step up in his absence.
They’ve done just that, as both Hassan Haskins and Zach Charbonnet have eclipsed Evans’ production last year, but both still have some ways to go in the final three games to hit the numbers the 2016 class recruit managed in 2016-17.
Asked on Wednesday about getting Evans back next year, running backs coach Jay Harbaugh didn’t have a visceral reaction, nor did he have much knowledge on how Evans feels about getting the opportunity to wear the winged helmet again.
Nonetheless, he’s excited to have him rejoin the fold next season.
“I’m not sure, I couldn’t tell you what it was like for him – probably better for him to,” Harbaugh said. “I was excited. I was excited for him. Anybody who loves to play the game, a guy that loves football like him, it was – I know for me or most other guys, it would be tough to be away from the game. I was just excited for him to get back to what he loves to do. I briefly spoke with him a handful of times since then, just checking on him, seeing how he’s doing and where his head’s at with everything. I know he’s excited to get back more involved.”
When Evans returns, he’ll join a crowded RB room, as all contributors — starters Hassan Haskins and Zach Charbonnet and backup Christian Turner all have three years of eligibility after 2019 — while Tru Wilson, a senior, is believed to have one more season of eligibility remaining.
Evans has one more year of eligibility remaining, as he has not been a part of the team this current season.
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