Mike Hart shares intel on Michigan football running backs before College Football Playoff
PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. — As Michigan football prepared to take on Ohio State in the final game of the regular season, the prevailing thought was that without Blake Corum, the offense would struggle.
Well, there’s a reason you play the games.
After missing several games with a hand injury, running back Donovan Edwards took the mantle and ran with it. And as far as the Buckeyes are concerned, he still may be running.
But what was the confidence the staff had that he could come in and replace a Heisman Trophy candidate and thrive?
We spoke to Mike Hart at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl media day and when it came to Edwards going from a complementary player to the No. 1 running back, he had the full confidence of the coaches.
“I think really at the end of the day like he’s always been that way,” Hart told WolverinesWire. “He was the No. 1 guy in high school. He knows how to carry the ball. He knows how to run the ball. It was just he waiting for opportunity. So he’s taking advantage of his opportunity, which we love. He’s running downhill; he’s running hard. He’s gotten better and takes everyday serious, comes up shows up to work every day. And he’s just doing a great job.”
Still, was it a challenge for him personally to become the bell cow for the offense? Not really, Hart says.
Edwards didn’t actually have limited production. We’ve seen him make big plays all year. But he’s among the nation’s top RB in terms of yards per carry, averaging 7.45 every time he gets the ball, despite averaging 11-plus carries a game.
The second-year back out of West Bloomfield knew he could do it, it was just a matter of him getting more opportunities.
“Donovan is not one that’s shy on confidence,” Hart said. “He believes in his ability. We believe in his ability. And there’s just literally a lot of times it’s just you have to give him the opportunity to do those things. And so he’s been able to show up and do the right things. And just I mean, he’s doing a great job.”
How Kalel Mullings has fared at running back
Photo: Isaiah Hole
The other prevailing thought was that behind Edwards would be freshman C.J. Stokes, but it turns out another was ready to step up: converted linebacker Kalel Mullings.
Mullings earned his opportunity to play running back in spring ball, but with Nikhai Hill-Green unable to play this year, he was more needed at LB. Once Corum went down, it was a ‘break glass in case of fire’ scenario, and he’s thrived on the offensive side of the ball, scoring two touchdowns in the Big Ten Championship game and having a big pass play to tight end Luke Schoonmaker against Ohio State.
Hart said it was just a matter of time before he came over to the offensive side again, despite being back on defense for much of the season.
“It’s one of those things where we started this last spring with coach Harbaugh,” Hart said. “We knew where you see deficiencies sometimes you make adjustments and so he’s been learning the position since last spring. So it wasn’t just like a one-week transition. It’s something that he’s been doing all year, during fall camp we went rotated every other day pretty much, George (Helow)? With him between running back and linebacker and he’s a smart kid. So just kudos to him to be able to handle the defense and the offense and knowing what he’s doing between those things.
“So nothing new, something we expected, something we knew we would get to at some point during the season. So I mean, it’s really just coach Harbaugh getting those things done and allowing us to work together on offense and defense.”
Mullings’ sample size is limited, but Michigan has experience converting linebackers to running backs and vice versa.
After arriving as a linebacker in his freshman season, Hassan Haskins switched back to offense — where he was originally recruited — and became a Michigan legend after an incredible senior season capped by a five-touchdown performance against Ohio State.
Hart said that’s an unusual scenario because usually running backs can play linebacker, but not the other way around.
“I mean normally, when you’re not good enough at running back you move to linebacker!” Hart said. “You’re gonna be a little stiffer right, George? But no, honestly, I’ve really never had a linebacker come back over. So I think most running backs can play linebacker, not every linebacker can play running back. But Kalel is a guy who’s athletic, has great hands, great feet. And he’s kind of like the exception to the rule of linebacker coming over and playing running back when normally you do it the other way around.”
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