Michigan Football Recruiting: Wolverines Score Big with 5-Star RB Derrick Green

Michigan is on its way to yet another ranked season under head coach Brady Hoke after 5-star running back Derrick Green committed to the program on Monday.

According to ESPN, Hoke was brought to tears upon the news. As well he should be.

I wrote earlier this month about how important the commitment of Green would be for Michigan's football program. With redshirt senior Fitzgerald Toussaint, junior Thomas Rawls, redshirt sophomore Justice Hayes, redshirt freshman Drake Johnson and freshman Deveon Smith at running back for 2013, there wasn't a standout player in the backfield before Green made his decision (especially with Denard Robinson moving on to the NFL), but the Wolverines must be brimming with joy now.

Green is just the kind of physical, downhill runner that Michigan has been dying for since Hoke took over in 2011. He's also the kind of running back who figures to mesh well with Michigan's five 4-star offensive linemen this year.

While starting quarterback Devin Gardner possesses pocket mobility, he's more dangerous as a pocket passer, as evidenced by his play last season. He averaged 9.7 yards per pass attempt last season, which would have ranked second among all signal-callers if he had thrown enough balls to qualify, per CFBStats.com. He also tossed a respectable 11 touchdowns to five interceptions in five games taking over for Robinson.

Gardner's pocket passing, combined with Green's talent in the backfield, could make for an eye-opening combo down the line for Michigan as early as 2013. The Wolverines have been working to play SEC-style football since Hoke arrived, and Green has the talent to complete the picture.

Don't look now, but Michigan is neck-and-neck with Ohio State for the Big Ten's best recruiting class this year. Green figures to be the Wolverines' most important recruit of 2013.

What are your thoughts?