5 Position Switches for Michigan to Consider in 2017

Tag: Kingston Davis


24Mar 2017
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5 Position Switches for Michigan to Consider in 2017

Zach Gentry

Where does Zach Gentry fit best? (image via MLive)

Going into the 2017 season, Michigan has some holes on the roster and some players who seem to be buried on the bench. Those buried players – and some established ones – can sometimes benefit the team at other spots. After all, Michigan took Chase Winovich – who started his career at linebacker before moving to tight end/fullback for a season – and made him a very effective defensive end (35 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 5 sacks) in 2016.

Which players on this 2017 squad might be best served by finding a new position?

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9Jun 2016
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2016 Season Countdown: #85 Kingston Davis

Kingston Davis 985x

Kingston Davis

Name: Kingston Davis
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 225 lbs.
High school: Prattville (AL) Prattville
Position: Running back
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #23
Last year: Davis was a senior in high school (LINK). He rushed 242 times for 1,656 yards (6.8 yards/carry) and 19 touchdowns.
Final TTB Rating: 70

Following the signing of 2015 cornerback Keith Washington from Prattville, Davis committed to the Wolverines in April 2015. After all, Washington was the quarterback who handed Davis the ball for most of his carries in 2014. At one point during the camp season last year, Davis checked in at 242 lbs. Despite his bulk, he insists he wants to be a running back in college, and he has slimmed down some since then to his official weight of 225. Regardless, he set school rushing records and picked up offers from Florida, Nebraska, and Ole Miss before enrolling at Michigan in January.

Davis didn’t create much buzz in the spring and dealt with a minor injury for part of the practice session. I think he’s the type of guy who may need a year or two of strength and conditioning work to reach his potential. On top of reshaping his body a bit, he has plenty of running backs ahead of him on the depth chart. De’Veon Smith, Drake Johnson, and Ty Isaac have all established themselves somewhat, and Karan Higdon got some experience last season. It’s not out of the question for Davis to contribute this season, but a fifth year of eligibility down the road might be helpful if he turns into a 230- or 240-pound beast who can pound teams to death.

Prediction: Redshirt

20Apr 2016
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Poll results: Which 2016 prospect will have the best career at running back for Michigan?

Kareem Walker 875x

Kareem Walker

Back in March I posted a poll about the 2016 class of running backs: Which 2016 prospect will have the best career at RB for Michigan?

Here are the results out of 1,105 total votes:

Kareem Walker: 48%
Naturally, this was bound to be the pick since Michigan stole Walker from Ohio State, he’s the highest rated of the bunch (4-star, #4 RB, #100 overall), and he was an Under Armour All-American. The 6’1″, 210 lb. prospect enrolled early and participated in Michigan’s spring practices, but he appears to be a ways down the depth chart for now. Walker was my pick because a couple of these guys won’t stay at tailback, and I think he has good potential to be a between-the-tackles runner with a bit of burst.

Kingston Davis: 28%
Another early enrollee, Davis is a bit of a tweener who could also play fullback. In fact, he was a 3-star, the #1 FB, and #735 overall in the 2016 class. Of course, the last time Michigan signed the #1 fullback in the class, Brandon Minor turned into a pretty good tailback. Davis’s size has been listed at anywhere from 225 lbs. to 242 lbs. at different times, and he is not the most explosive back, but he has resisted suggestions that he’ll be a blocking back in college.

Khaleke Hudson: 16%
A standout tailback in high school, Hudson was recruited to Michigan as a safety/outside linebacker. The 5’11”, 205 lb. Pennsylvania native was a 3-star, the #23 safety, and #382 overall, and he was a standout in the Semper Fi All-American Bowl. There’s always a chance that he could end up playing running back in college if the chips fall in a certain way, but I’m looking at him as a potential replacement for Jabrill Peppers down the road.

Chris Evans: 8%
Evans also appeared in the wide receiver poll results, which I posted the other day (LINK). The 5’11”, 186-pounder could be a runner, a wide receiver, or a cornerback in college. He should get his first shot at running back, but Jim Harbaugh tends to like bigger, stronger backs.

24Feb 2016
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Spring Football Preview: Running Backs and Fullbacks

De'Veon Smith 733x

De’Veon Smith

Projected RB starter: Senior De’Veon Smith. Smith is not the most dynamic back, but he does possess the toughness Jim Harbaugh wants in a running back. Last season he led the team in rushing yards (753) and touchdowns (6), despite having the lowest yards per carry on the team (4.18). However, he did end the season on a strong note with 25 carries for 109 yards against a pretty good Florida defense.

Departures: Rising senior Derrick Green decided to transfer, although his destination is not yet known. Florida is one possibility, where former Michigan offensive coordinator holds the same position. Green was the team’s sixth-leading rusher last season. Redshirt junior Ross Taylor-Douglas managed just 1.8 yards/carry last year and announced that he would be transferring to Rutgers.

Hit the jump for more.

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11Feb 2016
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2016 Recruiting Grade: Running Back

Kareem Walker 662x

Kareem Walker (image via Maxpreps)

Previously: Quarterbacks

RUNNING BACKS (3):
Kingston Davis – Prattville (AL) Prattville: 3-star, #1 FB, #739 overall
Chris Evans – Indianapolis (IN) Ben Davis: 4-star, #9 APB, #332 overall
Kareem Walker – Wayne (NJ) DePaul Catholic: 4-star, #4 RB, #100 overall

Hit the jump for the rundown on Michigan’s 2016 recruiting efforts at the running back position.

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