Fitz Toussaint : All posts

Status of Fitz Toussaint and Frank Clark still undecided, Brady Hoke says

Michigan football coach Brady Hoke still hasn't decided if Fitz Toussaint or Frank Clark will suit up against Alabama on Sept. 1.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

Asked Tuesday what Toussaint has to do to get clearance from Hoke for the 2012 debut, the Michigan football coach was again rather vague.

"He's got to demonstrate that (he'll) do the right things," Hoke said.

Michigan OC Al Borges: Fitz Toussaint 'looked good' in return to practice

Suspended Michigan tailback Fitz Toussaint looked sharp in his camp debut Monday.

Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com

"He's looked good," offensive coordinator Al Borges said Tuesday during a news conference at Schembechler Hall. "Fitz is Fitz. There hasn't really been any difference and he's in great shape.

"He just looks like Fitz to me. No more, no less."

Suspended Michigan RB Fitz Toussaint due in court 4 days before opener against Alabama

Michigan tailback Fitz Toussaint has been issued his first court date following an offseason drunken-driving arrest -- and it comes four days before the Wolverines' highly acclaimed season opener against Alabama.

Toussaint will face one count of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, according to police, and is scheduled to be arraigned in 14A-4 District Court on Aug. 28. Police say he will not face a weapons charge, despite finding a pellet gun designed to look like a handgun near the driver's seat of his truck.

Michigan preparing suspended tailback Fitz Toussaint as though he will play against Alabama

Michigan football coach Brady Hoke allowed Fitz Toussaint to return to practice Monday, but still hasn't made a decision on his status for the season opener against Alabama.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

But Toussaint will be prepared as though he will play in that game when he rejoins the Wolverines at Monday's practice.

"Brady just said to prepare him, and that’s what we’re doing," running backs coach Fred Jackson said Sunday during the team's media day. "I treat him like nothing happened. I’m preparing him, because the kid made a mistake, he’s paying for it and I think I got to treat him as if everything is just status quo so he’s ready to go."

Suspended Michigan players Fitz Toussaint, Frank Clark cleared to practice

Fitz Toussaint, who missed the first week of Michigan practices, has been cleared to rejoin the team.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

Both players missed the first week of workouts after run-ins with the law. Toussaint, the Wolverines' starting tailback, was arrested last month in Ann Arbor on a drunken-driving charge.

Clark, a candidate to start at weak-side defensive end, is accused of stealing a laptop from a campus dorm and is charged with second-degree home invasion. His next court date is Sept. 11.

Both players remain indefinitely suspended, and Hoke said he has not yet determined whether either will be available for the season opener Sept. 1 against Alabama.

“They paid a heavy price and will continue to pay a price for actions unbecoming of a Michigan football player,” Hoke said.

Is there a chance they'll be available?

"I wish I could tell ya," Hoke said.

Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.

Brady Hoke: Status of suspended Michigan players Fitz Toussaint, Frank Clark remains unchanged

Suspended tailback Fitz Toussaint's status with the Michigan football team has not changed, Brady Hoke said Thursday.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

Wolverines coach Brady Hoke said Thursday during an interview with Dan Dakich of ESPN 1070 that a decision could be made soon.

Al Borges: Michigan RB Thomas Rawls is 'next guy' if Fitz Toussaint unavailable against Alabama

Michigan offensive coordinator Al Borges says sophomore Thomas Rawls is the leader to replace suspended Fitz Toussaint, if a replacement is needed.

Angela Cesere | AnnArbor.com

But when Toussaint was indefinitely suspended last month after a drunken-driving arrest, the Wolverines were thought to be doubling back in this year's camp.

Turns out, that competition is essentially over before it started.

Michigan offensive coordinator Al Borges said Wednesday that sophomore Thomas Rawls likely will get the call if Toussaint is unavailable for the season opener Sept. 1 against Alabama.

Senior Vincent Smith was the primary backup last year.

"We're just going to the next guy -- we're not really changing anything," Borges said during a news conference at Schembechler Hall. "Thomas Rawls is going to be that next guy. Vince is going to do what he's done, and on we go.

"The key to these situations from a game-plan perspective is try to make it as seamless as you can. Just go."

Fitz Toussaint, Frank Clark held out of Michigan football team's first practice

Fitz Toussaint led Michigan's tailbacks in rushing last year, but has yet to return to practice after an offseason drunken-driving arrest.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

The Michigan football team opened its fall camp without two key players.

Wolverines coach Brady Hoke said Monday that suspended tailback Fitz Toussaint and defensive end Frank Clark did not practice with the team during its initial workout. He gave no timetable for when they would return to action.

"Don't know that," he said.

Hoke said he has not yet determined whether either will play in the season opener Sept. 1 against Alabama. When will that decision be made?

"When I make it, I guess," Hoke said. "When? I don't know."

Toussaint, a junior who was arrested last month in Ann Arbor on a drunken-driving charge, is Michigan's starting tailback. He crossed the 1,000-yard barrier in his first season as the starter.

Quarterback Denard Robinson, the other half of Michigan's prolific running attack, said Toussaint told him he's determined to rejoin the team.

"He knows he wants to be out on the field, and he's going to do whatever it takes to get back on the field," Robinson said.

Hoke has not outlined publicly what Toussaint or Clark must do to join the team.

Sophomore Thomas Rawls and senior Vincent Smith are expected to vie for the starting spot if Toussaint is held out against the Crimson Tide. The pair, along with redshirt freshman Justice Hayes, received the bulk of the carries in practice.

Clark, a sophomore, was expected to contend with former linebacker Brennen Beyer for the starting job at weak-side defensive end.

If Clark is held out against Alabama, Beyer is expected to start. Hoke said sophomore strong-side linebacker Jake Ryan and true freshman end Mario Ojemudia could fill a backup role behind Beyer at the position.

Another player who had a run-in with the law, receiver Jerald Robinson, did practice with the team. The sophomore pleaded guilty earlier Monday to a misdemeanor charge of destruction of property.

His punishment is complete, Hoke said.

Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.

updated: Brady Hoke: No decision made on eligibility of Fitz Toussaint, Frank Clark for Alabama game

This story was updated at 2:55 p.m. to include quotes from Brady Hoke and Denard Robinson.

CHICAGO -- Michigan football coach Brady Hoke says no decision has been made whether suspended players Fitz Toussiant and Frank Clark will play in the season opener against Alabama.

Toussaint, the Wolverines' projected starting tailback, was arrested last weekend and charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

Clark, a starting candidate at defensive end, was arrested in June and charged with second-degree home invasion. He's accused of stealing a laptop from a campus dorm.

"Right now, they're indefinitely suspended," Hoke said. "They will pay the price for poor judgments, which a lot of 18- to 23-year-old kids make, and then we'll make a decision down the road."

Hoke said he has not yet decided whether either player will practice. Camp is set to open Aug. 6.

Michigan would miss either player if he can't play in the opener Sept. 1 against Alabama. The Crimson Tide are the reigning national champion.

They also fielded the nation's No. 1 defense last year, and were No. 1 against the run, so the loss of Toussaint -- who was a 1,000-yard rusher in his first year as the starter last season -- would be particularly poignant.

What will go into the decision to allow Toussaint and Clark to practice?

"Them meeting the standards we want (from) a Michigan football player," Hoke said. "There are consequences they will be working through right now.

"It's an educational process guys go through. They're paying a price for it, because there's consequences."

Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson, the other leg of the Wolverines' two-headed rushing duo, said he fully supports Toussaint and Clark.

"They're my brothers," he said. “I’m going to be there through thick and thin. Whatever they need, I’ll be there for them.”

“They’ve got to know that we’re a family, we’re not going to let them down, we’re never going to let them go. Those will be my brothers forever.”

Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.

Michigan's Denard Robinson named to watch list for Walter Camp Player of the Year award

Michigan senior quarterback Denard Robinson is on the watch list for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

The Michigan football team's star quarterback was named as a candidate for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award on Friday, given to the nation's most outstanding player.

Michigan's Fitz Toussaint named to watch list for Doak Walker Award, given to nation's top running back

On Thursday, Fitz Toussaint (28) was announced as a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the nation's most outstanding running back.

Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com

• Related article: With poll: Will Fitz Toussaint become the 6th Wolverines tailback to rush for 1,600 yards?

Michigan's Fitz Toussaint stated this spring that he plans on rushing for at least 1,600 yards in 2012.

Toussaint is apparently not the only one who thinks 2012 season could be a big season for the junior running back, who was announced as a candidate for the Doak Walker Award on Thursday. The award is annually awarded to the nation's top college running back.

with poll: Michigan football over-under: Will Fitz Toussaint become the 6th Wolverines tailback to rush for 1,600 yards?

Tailback Fitz Toussaint enjoyed a breakout year in 2011. Now, he has his heights set on rushing for 1,600 yards.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

When addressing in the spring his goals for next season, the Michigan football team's junior tailback didn't set the bar at 1,200 yards, which would surpass quarterback Denard Robinson's total from last year.

Not 1,300, 1,400 or even 1,500 yards, which was surpassed by just 10 players nationally.

Toussaint, a season after rushing for 1,041 yards, is thinking big -- 1,600 yards big.

Only six players reached the 1,600-yard plateau a season ago: Wisconsin's Montee Ball, Oregon's LaMichael James, San Diego State's Ronnie Hillman, Virginia Tech's David Wilson, Western Kentucky's Bobby Rainey and Alabama's Trent Richardson.

Can Toussaint join that club? We debate:

Over-under: Fitz Toussaint will rush for 1,600 yards

Michigan football teammates Denard Robinson and Fitz Toussaint make Maxwell Award watch list

Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson and running back Fitz Toussaint were both named to the 2012 Maxwell Award watch list Monday.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

And more than a month before the season kicks off, the Wolverine backfield duo has already received national notoriety.

Both Robinson and Toussaint were named to the 2012 Maxwell Award watch list Monday, putting their names in preseason contention for an award that goes to the most outstanding college football player in America.

Michigan football team still in search of a No. 2 running back, and it may not be Vincent Smith

Starting tailback Fitz Toussaint, above, will ideally get at least 20 carries per game for the Michigan football team next season. The question is who'll get the eight to 10 carries as the No. 2 back,

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

At this point, two things are crystal clear in Al Borges' offensive backfield.

Denard Robinson will start at quarterback and Fitz Toussaint will get first dibs as the team's featured running back.

But who else is in line to carry the football for the Wolverines in 2012?

If the Michigan football team's offensive coordinator has his way, Toussaint will be on the field for most of the game.

But he's not foolish. Sometimes guys need a rest. And the task now is to find out who will give it to him.

"If you're trying to get (Toussaint) the ball 20-something times, it may mean another back gets the ball eight to 10 times -- I don't know," Borges said. "But what we don't want is to divide those carries up evenly, I don't like that, never have.

"I would think, yeah, there's a defined No. 2 and No. 3 at every position. But we want a featured running back."

'Battering ram' Michigan football RB Thomas Rawls caps productive spring behind starter Fitz Toussaint

Michigan sophomore running back Thomas Rawls rushed nine times for 39 yards and scored two touchdowns Saturday during the spring football game at Michigan Stadium.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

Offensive coordinator Al Borges said as much earlier this spring. Fitz Toussaint is his tailback, and there's no sense debating it.

However, Toussaint's reserve corps seemingly took a big step forward during the past month, as evidenced Saturday by the play of sophomore Thomas Rawls in the team's annual spring game at Michigan Stadium.

"Thomas has had a good spring," Michigan coach Brady Hoke said. "He's one of those guys, when you look at the body of work, with his physicalness, he's hard to tackle.

"You've got to give him credit for that, and he's a good football player."

Now the man in the Michigan backfield, Fitz Toussaint maintains his all-business approach

After gaining more than 1,000 yards last season, Fitz Toussaint (28) is still approaching spring practice like he's fighting for his job. "Somebody could be right behind you," he says, "trying to take your spot at every moment."

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

Away from the field, Fitz Toussaint is quite the showman.

He's got more dance moves than he knows what to do with and he's not afraid to prove it.

But on the field, when football's being played, the Michigan football running back's dance shoes are nowhere to be found.

MGoBlue.com: Fitz Toussaint shines in Michigan football spring scrimmage highlights

Michigan football junior running back Fitz Toussaint firmly stamped his name on the starting halfback job a year ago.

In 2011, Toussaint became the first Wolverine running back to rush for at least 1,000 yards since Mike Hart eclipsed the number in 2007.

And, so far this spring, it appears Toussaint is picking up where he left off, as he ripped off a pair of lengthy runs Saturday during a closed team scrimmage at Al Glick Fieldhouse.

"I just give credit to my offensive line," Toussaint told MGoBlue.com after the closed scrimmage.

Heisman Trophy site lists Michigan football RB Fitz Toussaint as a possible breakout player in 2012

Fitz Toussaint had a breakout season in 2011.

But, according to one Heisman Trophy watch website, his numbers could take a serious leap in 2012.

Toussaint, the Michigan football team's junior running back, was listed as a Heisman sleeper with the potential to "explode" this season by HeismanPundit.com.

With Fitz Toussaint back, Justice Hayes and other young RBs are focus in Michigan football camp

With Fitz Toussaint (28) as its established starter, the Michigan football team can take a longer look at younger running backs during spring practices.

Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com

One of the Michigan football team's top objectives last spring was to identify a lead tailback. It never did find its man in camp, and the search lingered well into the season.

Eventually, Fitz Toussaint won the job and was strong for the Wolverines during the Big Ten season. He returns this year as the presumed starter, which changes the dynamic of spring camp in a big way.

As in, Michigan doesn't have to ride him in camp like it did a year ago while trying to sort out the tailback rotation.

"Knowing that Fitz has been productive, we don’t have to overuse Fitz in the spring, yet still try to improve him," offensive coordinator Al Borges said this week. "I’m not talking sit him on the sideline and let him watch. He’s still playing now.

"But that being said, it isn’t like last spring, where we have to run him and run him and find out what he can do. We kind of know what he can do."

With video: Sweet-dancing Fitz Toussaint has 'blossomed' this season for Michigan football team

Fitz Toussaint, above, finished with 1,011 yards in the regular season, the first Michigan tailback to break the 1,000-yard barrier since Mike Hart in 2007.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

NEW ORLEANS -- The Big Easy is known for its song and dance, and Fitz Toussaint, who shares a surname with a well-known local jazz musician, is feeling at home.

On his first full day in New Orleans, the Michigan football team's sophomore tailback engaged the Saints cheerleaders in a dance-off at a team dinner. He held his own, borrowing from "Cali Krump" dance moves he's seen on TV.

He called it a tie.