You are viewing this article in the AnnArbor.com archives. For the latest breaking news and updates in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area, see MLive.com/ann-arbor
Posted on Mon, Aug 24, 2009 : 12:15 p.m.

More from media day: Fred Jackson talks Michigan running backs

By Dave Birkett

<

Brandon Minor and Carlos Brown are the known commodities atop Michigan’s depth chart at running back. The seniors have each started games and will get plenty of carries this year (as long as they stay healthy and fumble-free).

But running backs coach Fred Jackson said Kevin Grady, Michael Shaw and Vincent Smith all will be in the mix this year, too. His scouting reports:

On Smith, the diminutive true freshman who made a big splash in spring practice and has carried over to the fall: “Small guy, but a big back. He plays big. The way he blocks you and the way he’ll run over you. I’m going to bet that he’s 170 pounds, I don’t know exactly. But I’m going to say he’s 170 pounds and he runs like he’s 200 pounds.”

On Grady, the senior whose career hasn’t quite followed the path everyone envisioned coming out of East Grand Rapids: “I think you’ve looked at it enough to know he’s more of an I back, but he can fit and function in this system because one he’s smart, two he’s a fifth-year player, and three he’s a guy who wants to play. You won’t believe how bad he wants to play, so when a guy’s like that you’ll find a way to get him in there.”

On Shaw, a sophomore who Rich Rodriguez said may be the fastest player on the team: “I expect him to be a football player that when he’s in the game he makes his reads a lot better than he did the year before. I’m expecting him to be a lot better reader, and I think that he will.”

Comments

NoBowl4Blue

Mon, Aug 24, 2009 : 4:45 p.m.

Good backs but can the hogs up front do the job?????????