Michigan Spring Game: Four Wolverines Who'll Lock Down Starting Spots

The only player on the 2012 Michigan football roster who already locked up his starting spot from last year is Denard Robinson. As a result, head coach Brady Hoke only used the Heisman hopeful Denard Robinson in the first series only playing six snaps in Saturday's Spring Game. Overall, there were some bright spots in the running game, receiving core, and solid all-around defensive play that led to the offense being triumphant 17-0 over the defense in front of a crowd of 20,000 at Michigan stadium that was not the best conditions according to the national weather service.

There were four players that did stand out among the rest that will hold down their spot when the Michigan Wolverines take on the defending National Champions Alabama Crimson Tide come Sep. 1st, 2012 to open the regular season.

Sophomore Running Back Thomas Rawls

The 5'10'' and 219 pound, who has been one of Michigan football recruiting's finest since running back Michael Hart, was an absolute bruiser on Saturday afternoon. He had nine carries for 39 yards and two touchdowns showing signs of absolutely powerful running ability.

The starting running back from last season Fitz Toussaint had a similar stat line with five carries for 39 yards but Rawls performance topped Toussaint when Rawls, on a fourth and one, burst up through the hole and steamrolled over would be tacklers and just straight up video game trucked safety Jarrod Wilson to take it the house. Rawls ran with both the first and second offensive units scoring touchdowns on both, demonstrated great blitz pick up ability and got a lot of snaps out there.

Coach Hoke said this about Rawls, "He's one of those guys, when you look at the body of work, with his physicalness, he's hard to tackle."You've got to give him credit for that, and he's a good football player." Moreover, Rawls definitely will make the coaching staff re-evaluate who should be top running back on the depth chart to open the season: Fitz Toussaint or the bruising Thomas Rawls. 

Sophomore Wide Receiver Jerald Robinson

The big bodied 6'1'' and 206 pound Robinson looked good and made some nice catches to the tune of two catches for eight yards before tweaking his ankle. He was very productive on the first couple drives as he had a nice grab in traffic and looked sharp before the injury held him out for the rest of the game.

Robinson will be the big wideout this team will need to replace the leading wide receiver from last year Junior Hemmingway. The only other wide receivers that will be in the starting rotation will be Roy Roundtree and Jeremy Gallon so you can bet that Robinson will definitely compete within that trio. 

Fifth-Year Senior Tight End Brandon Moore

Although Moore did not have any catches in the Spring Game, he will get a lot more playing time this year meaning he will have a much bigger impact this year. In the Spring, he has had a lot of reps with the first team and no one person on the team is more of a believer in Moore than offensive coordinator Al Borges.

"Brandon's got some talent," Borges said. "In terms of understanding what we do, I don't think there's any issues there. He's a smart kid. Now that he understands it, the paralysis through analysis should be gone and pretty much is. He's as aggressive as I've seen him and has demonstrated a certain degree of consistency that's shown improvement."

Senior Linebacker Brandin Hawthorne

Hawthorne finished the Spring Game with two tackles for a loss and an interception all coming right at the end of the game. He showed a quick burst of speed and and wreaked havoc in the offensive backfield. He also showed a nose for the ball and athleticism as he picked off the ball for a one-handed interception.

Hawthorne will be competing with a talented group of linebackers and you can bet that Hawthorne showed enough in this Spring Game to be considered among the starters alongside Kenny Demens and Jake Ryan. 

Furthermore, these above mentioned players might be considered backups now, but you can definitely bet their strong performances this Spring will be the reason they will be starting come September 1.