Michigan Football: Thomas Rawls Will Bring Stability to Running Back Position

Last year at this time, Michigan anticipated a real battle for the feature running back job. Seven candidates took part in the sweepstakes before Fitzgerald Toussaint finally won it midway through the season. 

Toussaint, who will no doubt start the 2012 campaign at tailback, completed last season with an impressive 1,041 yards and nine touchdowns. His hard-hitting style was just a preview of the type of runner the Wolverines will employ when they complete their transition to a pro-style offense.

Which means the Wolverines will be looking for a second power runner to spell Toussaint when necessary. But let's not kid anyone here, Michigan will still be running plenty of spread-option football, at least while quarterback Denard Robinson is still in the lineup.

A season ago, it looked like Stephen Hopkins would win the tailback job, especially considering his 230-pound frame and his hard-hitting style. That was not to be, however, as Vincent Smith, Michael Shaw, Toussaint and true-freshman Thomas Rawls also shared early-season carries.  It wasn't until game No. 8 that Toussaint won the job, with a 170-yard, two touchdown performance against Purdue.

So who will step up in 2012  to be Toussaint's much-need backup? Since Shaw has graduated, that leaves Smith, Hopkins and Rawls to fight it out at spring practice. At 5'6", 172 pounds, Smith is hardly the punishing runner Michigan is looking for. He did, however, become a threat in the passing game, so he might spend more time in the slot catching screen passes, running reverses and being an outlet receiver.

Hopkins finished the season as the starting fullback, so he'll get plenty of time there 

That leaves the 5'10", 220-lb. Rawls, who should by now have enough experience to shine in spring practice. Rawls gained just 79 yards on 13 carries last season, but showed a hint of things to come.

After all, he brought some impressive statistics from Flint Northern, where he played for Fred Jackson Jr., the son of Michigan assistant coach by the same name. Displaying a rare combination of power and speed, Rawls rushed for a school record 396 yards against Bay City Central on his way to 1,585 during his senior year.

"Thomas Rawls, to me, is a combination of Anthony Thomas and Chris Perry, but he's faster than both of them," Jackson said. "He's got their feet, their power and he's got a running style more like Chris', because he really sinks before he hits you."

That's quite a compliment. Thomas is second on Michigan's all-time career rushing list (4,472 yards) and Perry is sixth (3,696).  

Jackson wasn't finished.

"No doubt," he added. "I saw him play enough. The kid's got the right stuff. He's just like (Alabama's Mark Ingram), but he's faster than Ingram. He ran 10.65 in the 100 meters, at 220 pounds. Just think about that."

Michigan will have five additional running backs on the roster this fall. RS FR Justice Hayes and FR Dennis Norfleet will play running back, slot receiver and help return kicks, RS FR Joe Kerridge and FR Sione Houma will play fullback and RS SR Michael Cox and FR Drake Johnson will be at running back.