PFF: Michigan football has the best running back room in the country

Obviously. #GoBlue

If you’ve been following along with our coverage all offseason, we’ve frequently spoken about Michigan football having ‘an embarrassment of riches’ in the running back room.

The Wolverines return star tailback Blake Corum, who was potentially the Heisman Trophy front-runner before his knee injury in Week 12 last year. He was spelled by ‘co-starter’ Donovan Edwards, who, banged up in his own right, absolutely shined in games against Ohio State and Purdue. The pair had nearly 2,500 yards rushing between the two of them in 2022.

Now entering 2023, the expectations are through the roof for the duo. So much so that PFF dropped its list of the best running back rooms in the country and Michigan football appeared at the No. 1 spot.

Of course, the daunting element for Michigan’s defense is that the Nos. 2-3 spots are held by two of the teams that the Wolverines will see late in the 2023 season in OSU and Penn State. And the maize and blue are preparing already in case they see Georgia in the postseason.

But, it’s hard to argue with the talent Michigan has at tailback. And it goes beyond the aforementioned duo. C.J. Stokes should be counted on more in his second year. Kalel Mullings had an inopportune fumble in the College Football Playoff semifinal against TCU but has shown a lot of promise after converting from linebacker. Freshman Benjamin Hall looked like an athletic freak in the spring game, carrying for more than 100 yards, despite being a three-star recruit who wasn’t highly sought-after. And Cole Cabana has elusive speed that we haven’t yet seen as the true freshman was injured this spring.

All-in-all, the Wolverines appear to be in a great place at the running back position entering the 2023 season. Should they stay healthy, they’ll be difficult to stop on the ground this year.

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