The “speed in space” moniker coined by Josh Gattis last offseason could mean a very different thing for Michigan football in 2020.
While the Wolverines return a handful of receivers this fall, a case could be made that the running backs are the strength of the offense this year.
Michigan returns four scholarship backs, including Chris Evans, and welcomes in high-four-star prospect Blake Corum, while Gattis and running backs coach Jay Harbaugh have both said the new-look offensive line could favor the running game.
“We’re just going to keep growing as a group and competing,” Harbaugh told reporters on Friday during a video conference call. “I know the end result will be everyone getting a lot better. When it comes down to it, you need a few guys to be able to be ready to play. Crazy things happen over the years, so you need a deep room.”
Michigan’s running back room has evolved in recent years, transitioning from deep and talented in 2017 (Karan Higdon, Evans, Ty Isaac) to a one-man show (Higdon) in 2018. Last year, the group started out by-committee and ended with Zach Charbonnet, a true freshman, and redshirt freshman Hassan Haskins handling most of the load.
MORE: U-M wants Charbonnet, Haskins to hit more ‘home runs’
By the time the season wrapped up, Charbonnet and Haskins combined for more than two-thirds of the carries, 270, rushing for 1,348 yards and 15 touchdowns.
“One of the great things we love about coach Gattis, he loves to play multiple backs and two-back sets,” Harbaugh said. “He’s done that in the past at other places. We did it a little bit last year. I think we probably would have done a little more if we had just better luck with injuries.
“So, I think that’s another thing that leaves the door open for more opportunity, and something that our guys are excited about.”
Gattis has said in the past he would craft the playbook around Michigan’s strength. Last year, with a returning quarterback, group of talented receivers and inexperience in the running back, it was, rightfully so, geared more toward the passing game.
Still, Gattis wasn’t opposed to using receiver Giles Jackson on jet sweeps and finding other, creative ways to get guys open. Michigan is set to return wideouts Nico Collins and Ronnie Bell, both of whom figure to be a big part of the offense this fall, but without a proven quarterback at the moment, don’t be surprised if it has to lean on its backfield early on.
Charbonnet, Haskins and redshirt sophomore Christian Turner (171 yards, TD), who coaches often describe as “explosive,” all saw significant snaps last season.
RELATED: Chris Evans’ versatility is intriguing in Michigan offense
“It’s a huge, huge advantage to have guys who played and really gone through and done it,” Harbaugh said. “A lot of our guys learned best by physically doing it. They need walk-thrus. They need practice. And the game reps, as we all know, those a priceless.
“Knowing that all those guys played — all the way down to Christian Turner — that’s huge.”
Michigan’s running back room is so crowded, in fact, Gattis remarked in May that it would be a challenge for him to find jobs for everyone. Charbonnet and Haskins proved themselves as freshmen, while Evans has established himself in the past as a dual-threat back.
Where that leaves Turner and Corum, the early-enrollee, is unclear. But both could benefit from potential two-back sets in the fall, assuming there is a season.
It would provide a different look for Gattis’ spread offense, but may be the way to go early on.
“We’ve got a lot of good pieces,” Gattis said. “It’s going to be our job — and it’s going to be a challenge — to make all the pieces work together. Obviously, there are ways we can complement that with some two-back stuff, split backs and using your personnel as much as you can."
Get Wolverine Confidential texts straight to your phone from our Michigan football writers. Cut through the clutter of social media and communicate directly with our beat reporters, just like you would with your friends. Sign up for insight on the Wolverines for $4.99 a month (with a 60-day free trial) by texting 734-215-6605.
Read more on Michigan football:
Quinn Nordin will have to win Michigan’s kicking job, again
As protests sweep America, Jim Harbaugh urges ‘equal justice for all’
Jay Harbaugh loves Giles Jackson, depth on kick returns
U-M ‘hopeful’ fans will be allowed into Big House this fall
Harbaugh outraged by George Floyd death