If I had My Druthers . . . Running Backs

Tag: Jarrell Oliver

5Jun 2010
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If I had My Druthers . . . Running Backs

I’m not sure what this guy’s name is . . .

Okay, here’s the list of running backs Michigan has offered. Players who have committed elsewhere are barred from my prestigious list. It’s a dog eat dog world out there, my friends, and you’re wearing Milkbone underwear.

1. Mike Bellamy
Only 5’9″ but has good speed and is extremely slippery. He shrugs off arm tackles.

2. Demetrius Hart
He might be pictured above. He’s fast, tiny, and will run you over if you’re not ready.

3. Mike Blakely
Great speed and quickness, but doesn’t break as many tackles as Bellamy.

4. Savon Huggins
Slightly above average speed, but runs hard and has tremendous balance.

5. Justice Hayes
Good speed and decent power. Good pass receiver, too. Runs a little high.

6. Bill Belton
Tiny, quick-twitch high school quarterback. Extremely elusive, but I’d like someone with a little more power.

7. Malcolm Crockett
Runs hard and makes cuts at full speed.

8. Remound Wright
Only average speed, but runs with purpose. Most impressive: the kid sprints through the goal line, even when nobody’s close to him. I’d love to have him on my team. His video got me pumped.

9. DaVondrick Nealy
Very good speed and moves, but dances a little too much for my liking.

10. Quan Bray
Good speed, but very thin. Doesn’t run as hard as I’d like to see him run.

11. Jarrell Oliver
Just doesn’t have the explosion I’d like to see in a running back. Not the gamebreaker Michigan needs.

12. Demetrius Williams
Good initial burst, but not a natural breakaway runner. Seems to be running in quicksand when he gets into the open field.

13. Melvin Gordon
Good size. Decent speed. Could also play safety.

15Feb 2010
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Mailbag: 2011 RB and DT Recruiting


Jacksonville running back Andrew Buie

Out of the RB’s we have already offered in 2011, who do you think has the most potential in our offense? How many DT’s will we sign and which DT has shown a lot of interest in Michigan.
Sincerely,
Anonymous from Maldives

Unlike certain blogs out there, I won’t make up mailbag questions. I’ll use the mailbag posts to answer questions posed to me in e-mail. I’ll also place some questions here that are asked in comments sections that might interest a broad range of people.

However, I will make up locations for those e-mailers.

Michigan has offered six superbacks so far: Demetrius Hart, Demetrius Williams, Allan Wasonga, Andrew Buie, Jarrell Oliver, and Justice Hayes. In my opinion, the one who projects best to Michigan’s offense is Andrew Buie. Buie is from Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville, FL, the same high school that 2010 recruit Rashad Knight attended. The competition at TCA is questionable, but Buie’s 5’9″, 188 lbs. and has very good speed and acceleration. He also has good vision and gets upfield rather than dancing, which is necessary for a good read option runner.

As far as defensive tackles go, I think Michigan will take two in the class of 2011 – one nose tackle and one defensive tackle. Ryan Van Bergen will likely move to defensive end, so current tackles with eligibility remaining after 2010 will be Mike Martin, William Campbell, Richard Ash, and Terry Talbott. By the time 2011 recruits get on campus, Martin will be a senior and Campbell will be a junior, so it’s imperative that Michigan gets some more depth on the interior defensive line. Unfortunately, none of the four defensive tackles Michigan has offered seem likely to be Wolverines. Desmond Jackson already committed to Texas, and Timmy Jernigan is considered a lock to attend Florida. That leaves Vincent Croce (Olney, MD) and Kevin Williams (Holland, OH). Croce plans to visit for Michigan’s next Junior Day on February 20, but I’m not sold on Rodriguez’s ability to recruit the Atlantic region. Williams seems the most likely and also plans to visit on February 20, but I have a feeling that Williams will head south.