Spring Game Preview: Running Backs/Fullbacks

Amber Ainsworth/Michigan Journal

Maize and Blue Nation Football Writer Erick Lehman will be writing multiple Spring Game previews, and releasing new position group previews each day leading into the game. The Spring Game is scheduled for Friday April 1, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. and will be held at Michigan Stadium. The previews are looking into the Spring Game and will not account for incoming recruits who have not yet joined the team.

Groups already previewed:
Special Teams
Offensive Line

Defensive Line 

Linebackers

The Michigan Wolverines will be returning all of their impact running backs from last season.

De’Veon Smith, Ty Isaac, Drake Johnson, and Karan Higdon all return to the Wolverines roster, and will be suiting up for the Spring Game.

At fullback, the Wolverines lost their top two players from last season. 

The Spring Game will likely be a huge key in who gets the majority of the work at fullback in the upcoming season, however like last year, it will likely be two or maybe even three players seeing time at fullback.

Khalid Hill switched to fullback, and will be one of the fullbacks on the roster to watch. It will be interesting to see how exactly Hill is used in the offense, as he was a tight end previously, and can obviously catch the ball. 

Hill’s blocking ability should be right on par with most fullbacks since he was a tight end before, and he should be faster than most on the roster as well. Hill could very easily be a chunk play fullback type, and it will be interesting to see if they run any specific pass routes out of the backfield that has plays designed for him. Watch for fullback specific pass plays in general in the game, as Hill could develop into a more consistent player at the position as the season goes on. 

Henry Poggi is expected to see time at fullback, as is Wyatt Shallman. Shallman is listed as a running back on the roster, but the 6’3 245 pound senior will likely see more time at fullback than anything.

Since Shallman is still listed at running back, obviously keep an eye on where he lines up at on offense, and the type of formations the offense goes with when he is in the game.

Joining the running backs are two early enrollee freshman in Kareem Walker and Kingston Davis. Both power backs would fight for carries in the logjam of talented running backs the roster boasts.

Walker could win the starting job, and a good showing in the Spring Game would be a start to that. Obviously keep an eye on Walker, not only to see if he can make an impact on this team right away, but also to get a glimpse of the future of the Michigan running game.