Thomas Rawls : All posts

Michigan football fans: Thomas Rawls looks the part, but can he back up the hype?

Will Michigan football running back Thomas Rawls (right) have plenty of celebratory moments in 2012?

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

When it comes to superhuman traits, perhaps no one embodies the phrase more than Chuck Norris.

Well, from the close of Michigan football spring practice through the first two weeks of fall camp, one thing seems to be clear among Wolverine coaches.

Chuck Norris has nothing on Thomas Rawls.

Biceps say it all: 'Black beast' Thomas Rawls an enforcer in Michigan football backfield

Michigan sophomore running back Thomas Rawls speaks to reporters during Sunday's media day.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

Thomas Rawls is a punisher. A wrecking ball. A guy more interested in inflicting pain than avoiding it.

Those are among the countless descriptors used this offseason to characterize the Michigan football team's physical sophomore tailback -- and they can all be distilled into one tidy word.

And it's tattooed down his bulging right bicep.

"Tenacious."

Down his left bicep is another tattoo, which reads "Bete noire." He says it's French for "accomplish your hopes and dreams," which he could do in the opener against Alabama with the status of starter Fitz Toussaint yet undecided.

Literally translated, though, it means "black beast" or "a person to be strongly detested or avoided."

Defenses might tend to identify more with the latter.

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."

When Michigan RB Thomas Rawls runs, 'you got to get out the way'

Michigan sophomore running back Thomas Rawls is emerging as the favorite to back up Fitz Toussaint -- or start for him, should it be needed.

Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com

The Michigan football team's first preseason practice was held Monday without pads.

Just imagine the poor souls tasked with wrapping up sophomore Thomas Rawls, who, pads or no pads, isn't going around his guy -- he's going through him.

"That's a tough guy," senior quarterback Denard Robinson said. "When he runs the ball, you really get out the way. That's what kind of guy he is. He's an aggressive runner, and if sees a guy -- he just might try to run him over."

Even without pads?

"Oh, yeah," Robinson said. "That's just how he runs. Runs angry. Every time I see him run the ball, you got to get out the way."

6 risers and fallers from Michigan football team's spring camp

It was an uneventful spring camp for the Michigan football team -- and that's a good thing for a club that has 15 starters back from an 11-2 campaign.

Coach Brady Hoke wasn't changing up schemes. He has most of his playmakers back. He has established leaders, and depth at several key positions (with both lines being a notable exception).

He mostly was looking to get out healthy after 15 practices, and he did that, aside from some lumps here and there. But a few surprises did emerge along the way.

It's prudent to not read too much into the spring game -- which featured Denard Robinson for only one series, for example, and only base schemes on both sides of the ball, for another.

But, judging from what we saw Saturday, bolstered by camp reports from players and coaches, here are some risers and fallers from Michigan's spring:

'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."

5 new names to watch at Michigan football team's spring game

Michigan cornerback Terrence Talbott (37) smiles as he sits with teammates during media day before the 2011 season. After not playing last year, the junior has impressed coaches this spring.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

At this time last year, Jake Ryan's resume went something like this: Redshirt freshman linebacker; so-so recruit; didn't start until he was a high school senior.

He was nothing more than a blip on the Michigan football team's 100-something man roster. After the spring game, he was anything but.

Ryan posted perhaps the biggest highlight of that game — a pick-six of backup quarterback Devin Gardner — and showcased the kind of sideline-to-sideline tenacity for which he has become known.

He carried that momentum into the fall, eventually earned the job at strong-side linebacker and started every game. He finished with 11 tackles for loss, second on the team, and recovered two fumbles.

This year's spring game will kick off at noon Saturday at Michigan Stadium (Big Ten Network). Who will be this year's breakout player?

Thomas Rawls following Fitz Toussaint's path into Michigan football team's backfield

Thomas Rawls (38) is seeing extra snaps at tailback and fullback this spring.

Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com

Long before Fitz Toussaint was a 1,000-yard rusher, he was a guy who ran into bodies, who didn't recognize coverages -- who didn't play.

Before he could run, he had to see.

Thomas Rawls seems to be traveling a similar path.

personnel notes: Off week? Not for 5 freshmen who positioned themselves for more playing time

Michigan defensive end Brennen Beyer, one of five freshmen who drew praise for their off-week practice performance, makes a tackle on Western Michigan running back Dareyon Chance earlier this season.

Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com

Five freshmen spent it vying for more playing time.

Devin Gardner, Thomas Rawls see extended action in Michigan's lopsided win

Devin Gardner prepares to take a knee on Michigan's last play of its 58-0 win over Minnesota. The sophomore quarterback got much more action Saturday than just the late-game, mop-up duty.

Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com

There’s been no need to.

“We were winning,” Gardner said. “You can’t get mad at that.”

Michigan tailback hierarchy taking shape with Smith, Toussaint, Rawls at top; Shaw sliding down

Junior Vincent Smith (2) has ascended the Michigan tailback depth chart while senior Michael Shaw has dropped.

"I would think so," Hoke said. "Fitz (Toussaint) had a good day (Tuesday), too. Both those guys ran the ball hard. (Thomas) Rawls ran the ball hard and he got some snaps in there. We're still trying to find what that magic combination is."

New recruit Thomas Rawls could make impact in deep backfield for Michigan football team

Michigan running backs coach Fred Jackson is impressed with what he's seen so far from incoming freshman Thomas Rawls.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

Fred Jackson had no intentions of making comparisons when he started watching decade-old game film late Tuesday night.

The Michigan running backs coach originally wanted to study film of the early 2000s because the Wolverines plan a similar style rushing attack under new coach Brady Hoke.

But when Jackson saw old film of running back Chris Perry, he couldn’t help but note the resemblance between the former Wolverines stalwart and new recruit Thomas Rawls.

“Thomas Rawls can lift you - I call it the ‘hit and lift’ - and keep on going,” Jackson said. “That, to me, is a special talent. Chris Perry had that. Chris Perry had the ability to hit you and keep on moving, and this kid can move the pile.”

Rawls, a 5-foot-10, 220-pound back from Flint Northern, was a late addition to Michigan’s 20-member recruiting class announced Wednesday.

today's college sports links: Michigan football coach Brady Hoke earns first win with recruiting class; Thomas Rawls wants to shatter Mike Hart's U-M records and more

today's college sports links: Brady Hoke looked for toughness, character while recruiting; Rich Rodriguez felt Michigan had turned a corner and more

today's college sports links: Flint Northern RB Thomas Rawls commits to Michigan; U-M's Darius Morris leads nation in offensive involvement and more