Michigan Wolverines: Keith Ford
Michigan's run game in 2012 was a disappointment. As a result, the coaches have ramped up their efforts to right the ship immediately. The Wolverines are hoping to use the 2013 recruiting class to get the ground game going as the post-Denard Robinson era begins.
Michigan's rushing attack produced 2,389 yards last season, a number that doesn't sound terrible until you further dissect the details. Michigan's two quarterbacks, Robinson and Devin Gardner, accounted for 1,367 of those yards and 14 of the 27 rushing touchdowns.
Robinson led the way, averaging 7.2 yards per carry, while the running back trio of Fitzgerald Toussaint, Thomas Rawls and Vincent Smith combined to rush for 918 yards, averaging only 4.1 yards per carry. That combined average would rank No. 80 in the country.
Without Robinson, Michigan is looking for help to transform the offense.
Michigan's rushing attack produced 2,389 yards last season, a number that doesn't sound terrible until you further dissect the details. Michigan's two quarterbacks, Robinson and Devin Gardner, accounted for 1,367 of those yards and 14 of the 27 rushing touchdowns.
Robinson led the way, averaging 7.2 yards per carry, while the running back trio of Fitzgerald Toussaint, Thomas Rawls and Vincent Smith combined to rush for 918 yards, averaging only 4.1 yards per carry. That combined average would rank No. 80 in the country.
Without Robinson, Michigan is looking for help to transform the offense.
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Hackenberg, Olsen earn UA Game starts
January, 3, 2013
Jan 3
5:35
PM ET
By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
Black Team offense
Quarterback: Christian Hackenberg (Penn State)Running back: Alvin Kamara
Receiver: Alvin Bailey (Florida), Robert Foster (Alabama), Damore'ea Stringfellow (Washington)
Tight end: O.J. Howard (Alabama)
Offensive tackle: Darius James (Texas), Denver Kirkland
Offensive guard: Grant Hill (Alabama), Joas Aguilar (Texas A&M)
Center: Hunter Bivin (Notre Dame)
Captains: Kelvin Taylor, Hunter Bivin, Robert Nkemdiche, Ben Boulware
Black Team defense
Defensive end: Robert Nkemdiche, Elijah DanielDefensive tackle: Greg Gilgmore (LSU), Kennedy Tulimasealii (Hawaii)
Inside linebacker: Ben Boulware (Clemson)
Outside linebacker: Alex Anzalone (Notre Dame), Matthew Thomas
Safety: Keanu Neal (Florida), Leon McQuay III
Cornerback: Vernon Hargreaves III (Florida), Tarean Folston (Notre Dame)
Black Team special teams
Long snapper: Tyler Kluver (Iowa)Kicker/punter: Sean Covington (UCLA)
White Team offense
Quarterback: Kevin Olsen (Miami)Running back: Keith Ford (Oklahoma)
Receiver: Laquon Treadwell, Ryan Green (Florida State), Jalin Marshall (Ohio State)
Tight end: Hunter Henry (Arkansas)
Offensive tackle: Derwin Gray (Maryland), Dorian Johnson (Pittsburgh)
Offensive guard: Patrick Kugler (Michigan), David Dawson (Michigan)
Center: Scott Quessenberry (UCLA)
White Team defense
Defensive end: Carl Lawson (Auburn), Joey Bosa (Ohio State)Defensive tackle: Henry Poggi (Michigan), Kelsey Griffin (South Carolina)
Inside linebacker: Reuben Foster, Yannick Ngakoue
Outside linebacker: Trey Johnson
Safety: Max Redfield, Antonio Conner
Cornerback: Gareon Conley (Ohio State), Shaq Wiggins (Georgia)
White Team special teams
Long snapper: Brendan TurelliKicker: Ryan Santoso (Minnesota)
Punter: Shane Tripucka
Captains: Ryan Green, Hunter Henry, Patrick Kugler, Reuben Foster
Michigan has always had some success recruiting in Texas. Since the local universities do so well with keeping their in-state prospects at home, it's a victory to pull any elite-level prospect out of Texas.
The Wolverines are once again going after Texas products as the staff has extended offers recently to running backs Keith Ford (Cypress, Texas/Cypress Ranch) and Kyle Hicks (Arlington, Texas/Martin), wide receiver Marcell Ateman (Wylie, Texas/Wylie East), offensive lineman J.J. Gustafson (Dallas/Jesuit) and a few others.
The newest offer, however, was extended today to defensive tackle Justin Manning (Dallas/Kimball). The 6-foot-2, 275-pound tackle now holds offers from Michigan, Arizona, USC, Texas, Miami and Tennessee among others.
The Wolverines are once again going after Texas products as the staff has extended offers recently to running backs Keith Ford (Cypress, Texas/Cypress Ranch) and Kyle Hicks (Arlington, Texas/Martin), wide receiver Marcell Ateman (Wylie, Texas/Wylie East), offensive lineman J.J. Gustafson (Dallas/Jesuit) and a few others.
The newest offer, however, was extended today to defensive tackle Justin Manning (Dallas/Kimball). The 6-foot-2, 275-pound tackle now holds offers from Michigan, Arizona, USC, Texas, Miami and Tennessee among others.
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