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Michigan football: ranking running backs from the Jim Harbaugh era

Under Jim Harbaugh, elite running back play has come to be expected.

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Oct 20, 2018; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Karan Higdon (22) runs though the tackle of Michigan State Spartans linebacker Brandon Bouyer-Randle (26) during the second half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Since Jim Harbaugh took over as head football coach with the University of Michigan football team in 2015, the Wolverines have been known for playing old-school, hard-nosed, pound-the-rock football. They’ve mostly stuck with that philosophy outside a short foray in an attempt to modernize (“speed in space”). It’s clearly worked as per excellent results the past two seasons when paired with the good quarterback play, great offensive lines, and elite defenses.

It’s helped that Michigan has had some great running backs to carry the load. Here’s a look at the best Michigan running backs under Jim Harbaugh*.

Minimum of 100 carries for Harbaugh coached teams*

Tier 1 – Unstoppable

1. Blake Corum

(457 touches, 2783 yards, 6.1 average, 33 touchdowns, 30 games played)

“Blake the Great” is just that and deserves to be in a tier of his own. The best term I can use to describe Corum is “unstoppable”- because when healthy, no team has been able to do that. Corum’s worst yards per carry average in 2022 was 4.6 against a top-5 rush defense on the road at Iowa- but he still had 29 carries for 133 yards and one touchdown.

So did the Hawkeyes stop him? I’d say no.

Teams can only hope to slow Corum, but they seldom succeed. There are just not enough good things to say about how good Corum is.

-12 career 100+ yard rushing games (five 150+ rushing yard games).

-Within full seasons, in 12 out of 14 games (85 percent) in which Corum had 15+ carries, he’s rushed for more than 100 yards.

-Tied a school record in 2022 for eight straight games of 100+ rushing yards before his injury.

-One of four running backs in school history with a career average of 6.0 yards per carry or higher, with at least 250 carries. (Rob Lytle, Tim Biakabutuka, Tyrone Wheatley)

-One of two running backs in school history with both a 200+ rushing yard game and a five-touchdown game. (Ron Johnson)

I could keep going too, but let’s just say the Wolverines are lucky to have Corum in Ann Arbor for one more season.

Tier 2 – Between “great” and “elite”

1. Hassan Haskins

(476 touches, 2495 yards, 5.2 average, 30 touchdowns, 32 games played)

Hassan Haskins will always be one of my favorite Michigan football players, and he deserves so much praise for being a vital piece of the Wolverines’ turnaround. An unheralded recruit out of Missouri, Haskins barely snuck inside the top 1000 recruits per 247Sports. After bouncing back and forth from running back to linebacker and back again, Haskins finally broke out at Illinois in 2019 when he had his first 100-yard game.

Then he showed how special he could truly be on a rainy night under the lights against the Fighting Irish. That night he had 20 carries for 149 rushing yards and one spectacular hurdle – a specialty that Haskins became known for thereafter, and the fans loved it.

Then Haskins stuck through it during the worst of times in the 2020 season and came back ready to work in 2021, enjoying the best of times. Fans will always hold Haskins in high regard for being a part of the senior class (Harbaugh’s lowest-ranked while at Michigan) that finally brought home a Big Ten title for the first time in seventeen years.

The only thing holding Haskins back from tier 1 was consistency. While Corum had zero games of under 4.5 yards per carry in 2022, Haskins had six in 2021, including three games under 3.5.

-10 career 100+ yard rushing games (four 150+ rushing games).

– Haskins’ 20 touchdowns in 2021 were the most by a Michigan running back since Willie Heston’s 21 in 1904.

– One of three running backs in modern school history to have a five-rushing touchdown game.

2. Donovan Edwards

(213 touches, 1630 yards, 7.7 average, 13 touchdowns, 22 games played)

While Donovan doesn’t have the career numbers as some of the other guys (he is only going into his junior season, after all), his placement in these rankings is based on skill set and potential. Plus, his numbers are still awe-inspiring in their own right and could easily double before his time in the winged helmet is up.

In his two seasons with Michigan football, Edwards has shown an elite level of play-making in the backfield that the Wolverines haven’t seen in a long time. The only things holding Edwards back from more so far have been needing to split carries with the two guys ranked ahead of him on this list and unfortunate injuries. Still, Edwards has the potential to be the best of them all. This rings especially true considering how great he is at catching the ball, whether out of the backfield or spread out wide.

– Five career 100+ rush yards games (three 150+ rush yard games).

-First true sophomore with a 200+ rush-yard game since Denard Robinson and the first running back since Mike Hart.

-First running back with a 100+ receiving yard game since Chris Perry in 2003.

-Edwards’ career 6.7 yards per carry is the highest in school history (minimum 60 carries).

Edwards’ game at Ohio State (22 carries, 216 rush yards, 9.8 average, two touchdowns) will go down in rivalry history as an all-time performance, and his two long touchdown runs of 75 and 85 yards on back-to-back drives will be in highlight reels for decades to come.

3. Karan Higdon

(487 touches, 2793 yards, 5.7 average, 27 touchdowns, 39 games played)

Compared to Haskins and Corum, Karan Higdon’s career rushing stats are very similar, even if he’s not quite remembered in the same light. The main reason for this is due to the fact that the teams he played on had a different level of success. Higdon was a great running back for two seasons in 2017-18, but those teams went a combined 18-8 and didn’t beat Ohio State or win the Big Ten.

But Higdon was a workhorse with big-play potential, and his ranking here reflects it.

-13 career games of 100+ rushing yards (four of 150+ rushing yards).

-The only running back with multiple 200+ yard rushing games since Mike Hart.

-Seven straight games of 100+ rushing yards in 2018.

Tier 3 – varying levels of “good”

1. De’Veon Smith

(533 touches, 2486 yards, 4.7 average, 27 touchdowns, 41 games played)

De’Veon Smith was a great running back who carried the ball a boatload. He was a power back with solid speed who ran between the tackles and wasn’t afraid to lower his shoulder. While Smith had an excellent career in the Maize and Blue, he, unfortunately, didn’t have the best timing.

First, he played for mediocre teams with head coach Brady Hoke as a Freshman and Sophomore in 2013-14. Those teams went a combined 12-13. Then, when he was on good teams under Jim Harbaugh in 2015-16 (20-8 record), they didn’t have the dominating offensive lines we’ve grown accustomed to recently. Regardless, Smith was still a solid all-around running back but ended up in the third tier for two main reasons. One, Smith never rushed for over 1000 yards in a season, and two, he never had a season in which he averaged at least 5.0 yards per carry. He would be the only player in tier 2 without one of those stat points, let alone both.

-Eight career games of 100+ rushing yards (one of 150+ rush yards).

-Led the team in rushing twice, 2015-16.

2. Chris Evans

(369 touches, 2274 yards, 6.2 average, 17 touchdowns, 42 games played)

Chris Evans was one of the most talented guys on this list and has flashed that potential in his short time with the Cincinnati Bengals. While with Michigan football, however, he never entirely broke out. Maybe he never really got his chance, but regardless, he was never the number 1 back on the team. He was always seemingly behind the guys ahead of him on this list. Evans still had some great games, like in 2017 at Minnesota when he went off for 191 yards and two touchdowns on just 13 carries.

Unfortunately, academic issues nearly derailed his career, as they caused him to miss the 2019 season. Still, Evans deserves significant praise for not giving up and making a return to the team in 2020. It’s unfortunate because that 2019 team really could have used him. Evans was a big-time threat in the open field but, unfortunately, needed to be utilized more, catching the ball out of the backfield or from the slot.

-Three career games of 100+ rushing yards (two of 150+ rush yards).

-Evans’ 479 career receiving yards is 11th all-time in program history for a running back.

3. Zach Charbonnet

(182 touches, 921 yards, 5.1 average, 12 touchdowns, 18 games played)

Like Evans, Zach Charbonnet is another “what-if” of Michigan football running backs under Harbaugh, this time due to the transfer portal. While things have turned out great for both parties, it still stings some to see Charbonnet running wild at UCLA. We all saw his potential as a true freshman in 2019 when he led the team in rushing attempts, yards and touchdowns.

Then the unfortunate debacle that was the 2020 season happened, when Charbonnet touched the ball just 25 times in five games, and that was it for his time in the winged helmet.

-Two career games of 100+ rushing yards (15 such with UCLA).

-Set freshman school record with 11 rushing touchdowns in 2019.

4. Ty Isaac

(199 touches, 1240 yards, 6.2 average, eight touchdowns, 26 games played)

Ty Isaac, a big-bodied (6-3, 228 lbs) transfer from USC, somewhat quietly had an excellent career as a Michigan Wolverine as one of just 55 players in school history to rush for 1000+ career yards. That may not sound stellar until you consider how many players Michigan has had in the previous 140-plus years. Like some of the others ahead of him on this list, Isaac never seemed to get his chance, as he ranked third in carries in his junior (74) and senior seasons (88), with most of it seemingly coming after the game was essentially over.

-Four career games of 100+ rushing yards

-One of seven running backs in Michigan football history to average 6.0+ yards per carry for their career (minimum of 70 carries).

5. Tru Wilson

(115 touches, 634 yards, 5.5 average, two touchdowns, 22 games played)

A former walk-on, Tru Wilson became a fan favorite as the third running back in the 2018-19 season. Chants of “TRUUU” would boom from the stadium whenever he touched the ball, and he would run hard in return. While not the biggest or fastest back, Wilson had good vision and was very crafty. He had some nice runs, albeit usually against backups late in the games, and even found the endzone several times. Most notably, a 27-yard touchdown rush against Notre Dame in 2019 to extend the Wolverines’ lead to 31.

-One of 15 running backs in Michigan football history to average 5.5+ yards per carry (minimum of 100 carries).

Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebookand Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple PodcastsSpotify, and all other steaming platforms.

FOOTBALL

Major outlet ranks Jim Harbaugh as No. 1 coach in the Big Ten

A major outlet ranked Jim Harbaugh as the best coach in the Big Ten.

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Jim Harbaugh of Michigan football
Dec 31, 2021; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh throws prior to the Orange Bowl college football CFP national semifinal game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

ANN ARBOR, MI — Over the past two seasons, the entire identity of the Michigan Wolverines’ football program has changed. Before 2021, the Michigan football team was coming off of a 2-4 season in 2020; before that, the Wolverines were managing 8-10 wins per season, though consistantly losing to Ohio State, their bowl game, and saw frequent losses to Michigan State and Penn State. Since that 2021 season, everything has changed for Jim Harbaugh and his Wolverines — in fact, Harbaugh is now thought of as the best coach in his conference.

Jim Harbaugh changes everything for Michigan football in 2021

After arguably the worst season in Michigan football history (2020), Jim Harbaugh and his Wolverines decided to go all-in on the 2021 season. At his Big Ten media presser, Harbaugh claimed that Michigan would accomplish its goals (beating Ohio State, Michigan State, winning the Big Ten, and more) or “die trying.” The Wolverines did exactly that — Michigan football finished the regular season with an 11-1 record after downing Ohio State 42-27 in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines then won the Big Ten title for the first time since 2004; however, were dominated by Georgia in the CFP.

A season later, Michigan football appeared to improve as Jim Harbaugh led his team to a 12-0 finish — including massive 20+ point wins over Michigan State, Penn State, and Ohio State — before winning the program’s first-ever 13th game in a single season. While the Wolverines still fell short against TCU in the Fiesta Bowl, the 2022 season was monumental for Jim Harbaugh and Michigan football.

Heading into the 2023 season, Michigan appears to have its best roster during the Jim Harbaugh era (since 2015). In fact, right now, the Wolverines come into the season favored against every major program that it must face: Penn State, Michigan State, and Ohio State. If the Wolverines aren’t competing for a Big Ten title this year, most fans will call the season a disappointment.

On3 ranks Harbaugh No. 1 in the Big Ten

Of the 14 coaches in the Big Ten, On3 claims that none are better than Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh. Here is what On3 had to say about Harbaugh and why he is ranked No. 1:

It took some time, but Jim Harbaugh fulfilled his promise of beating Ohio State and delivering his alma mater a Big Ten Championship. 

Then he did it again last season. The Wolverines are 25-3 the last two years, with a pair of conference titles and College Football Playoff berths. While Harbaugh has downplayed some of the major cultural and philosophical changes he made before the 2021 season, he deserves credit for pivoting and overhauling his staff. 

In eight years at Michigan, Harbaugh has five seasons with at least 10 wins. Although the yearly NFL rumors remain a distraction, the Wolverines don’t look like they’re going to slowdown at all under Harbaugh, either. They bring back a loaded squad in 2023 — with Harbaugh supplementing the depth chart with several key additions from the transfer portal — and will be the favorites to three-peat in the Big Ten. 

While I weigh the present more than the past, Harbaugh’s coaching resume also includes jumpstarting Stanford’s program (12-1 season in his final year) and four years with the San Francisco 49ers where he never had a losing season, played in the NFC Championship Game three times and lost to his brother John Harbaugh in the Super Bowl.

The next three coaches behind Jim Harbaugh and Michigan football are: Ryan Day (Ohio State), Luke Fickell (Wisconsin), and James Franklin (Penn State).



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple PodcastsSpotify, and all other steaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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FOOTBALL

Tom Brady’s son is looking to attend the University of Michigan

The son of a Michigan legend is dreaming of attending his father’s alma mater.

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Tom Brady's son University of Michigan
Sep 17, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh laugh during warm ups prior to the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

It has been a few decades since former Michigan captain Tom Brady suited up in the Maize and Blue. From 1998-1999, the greatest football player of all time donned the winged helmet and led the Michigan football team to a 20-5 record, two bowl wins, a Big Ten title, and more during his time as a starter. Since then, the program has seen its ups and downs, and Tom Brady has seen action with two NFL franchises and won a league record seven Super Bowls — he also appeared in 10 Super Bowls. Now, decades after the fact, Tom Brady’s son is looking to repeat a bit history and attend the University of Michigan.

Tom Brady’s son, Jack, dreams of attending the University of Michigan

In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Tom Brady’s ex-wife Gisele Bundchen claims that Tom Brady’s son Jack wants to attend school at his father’s alma mater. Brady, who recently played his final football game ever (assuming this retirement sticks, unlike his last one), played five years of football in Ann Arbor in the 90s. He was a part of a few Big Ten title-winning teams, as well as the infamous national championship team in 1997.

From Vanity Fair: The whole brood is thriving, and Jack remains her bonus child. “I love him so much,” Bündchen says of Jack, who is “quarterbacking”—very much a verb in this household—with aspirations of going to his father’s alma mater, the University of Michigan.

Tom Brady himself also mentioned that his son Jack has some better qualities than him — he claims that his only specialty in life, unlike Jack, is throwing a football. Like Tom, Jack Brady loves playing football and is currently a quarterback, which is something that his father plans on helping him with.

“I don’t have a lot of specialties in life other than probably throwing a football,” Brady joked. “He’s way smarter. He’s got a great work ethic. He’s just a great kid, but I can definitely help him at quarterback.”

It would be a massive move for the University of Michigan community to have Tom Brady’s son enroll nearly 30 years after his father attended. The school, program, and town have changed quite a bit since Tom Brady led his 1999 Wolverines to a 1-point win over Alabama in the 2000 Orange Bowl; however, Michigan’s profound love for Tom Brady has not subsided one bit. In fact, over the years, the school has grown to appreciate all that Tom does for it more and more.



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple PodcastsSpotify, and all other steaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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Michigan’s converted defensive back is going to be better than people think

The Wolverines have an insane athlete on their hands.

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Michigan football Amorion Walker
© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

ANN ARBOR, MI — Just before the start of spring ball, the Michigan Wolverines decided that — in order to address cornerback depth issues — a former three-star wideout would be moved to cornerback. Since making this call, the massive Amorion Walker has turned into a spring ball standout, and according to coaches and players, is a freak of nature on the football field. However good you think Amorion Walker is going to be, he will likely be better.

Michigan football converted DB Amorion Walker turning out to be a stud on the football field

Since the start of Michigan football spring ball, the Wolverines’ newly converted cornerback — Amorion Walker — has been turning heads among the players and the staff. Here are some of the comments that others have made on Walker’s ability per The Michigan Daily.

“(Walker) has gifts that a lot of people don’t,” standout defensive back Mike Sainristil told The Daily during Michigan football spring practices. Walker’s unique athletic ability and mix of an incredible frame (6-foot-4, 180-pounds) “He’s 6-foot-3, moves like he’s 5-foot-10. He plays like he’s 225, he’s tall, he’s lengthy. He runs a 4.2, 4.3 (40 yard dash). His skill set is rare.”

Just because Walker came to Michigan as a receiver does not mean that he has not dreamed of getting this opportunity for awhile. In fact, Amorion Walker would have things no other way — he is ready for his new challenge.

“I always wanted to play both ways,” Walker said last week. “I still love the defensive side of the ball. That was actually the first position I ever played. So, it’s kind of where I get my background.” He continued, “I’m trying to lose the receiver tendencies that I have from playing it for a long time … Just trying to get back into the DB motion and back to where I used to be before I made the switch.”

The praise for Amorion Walker and his athletic talent are not just from outsiders, either; Walker knows that he is an incredible athlete. “I definitely am one of the best athletes in the country, for sure,” Walker said. “As far as running and jumping and being able to change direction.”



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple PodcastsSpotify, and all other steaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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