Michigan Football: Fullbacks Scarce On Current Wolverine Depth Chart

With Michigan drifting toward a pro-style offense in 2011, expect more playing time for both the tight ends and fullbacks. 

The tight end will replace one of the slot receivers as head coach Brady Hoke and offensive coordinator Al Borges insert more muscle in the Wolverine lineup. In fact, Michigan may even line up occasionally with two tight ends.

“We want to get back to some power offense, get down in the stance and knock people off the ball and give our kids a chance to kick butt,”  Borges told the Detroit News.

The Wolverines will undoubtedly run more sets from the I-formation, thus calling for the fullback to actually carry the ball.

Michigan rarely deployed a fullback this season. John McColgan was the only legitimate fullback, although we did see William Campbell lead Stephen Hopkins into the end zone at Notre Dame. 

In fact, McColgan never carried the ball but did sneak out of the backfield to catch a two-yard TD pass against Bowling Green.

Some believe Hopkins will actually end up as the fullback, using his 6'0", 230 lb. frame as a blocker and power runner. Last season, Hopkins carried the ball only 37 times for 151 yards and four touchdowns.  The only real knock on the freshman Hopkins was his lack of true blocking ability. But someone with that size and quickly will be given every opportunity to learn.

After Hopkins and McColgan, there are no fullbacks on the roster. That must concern Hoke since national signing day is Feb. 2, just a few weeks away and spring practice begins March 18. (To be eligible for football this fall, players can sign letters of intent until April 1.)

In any case, Hoke must find a fullback from the current roster. The most logical areas to find one are from the current running back group, the tight end list, or from the defensive side of the ball.

Other than Hopkins,  it doesn't look like any of the other running backs would make sense because of size limitations.

Michigan, however, is loaded at the tight end position, with seven listed on the current roster.  Martell Webb and Kevin Koger will most likely share starting duties while Brandon Moore should provide depth.

That leaves tight ends John Bills, Dylan Esterline, John Haarer and Nate Allspach to possibly make the switch. Any of these four, despite their inexperience, are conceivable.

On defense, linebackers Jordan Paskorz, Isaiah Bell and Jack Ryan could be worth a look.

Bell might be the most attracted of the group. From Youngstown, Ohio, he attended Liberty High School, the same school as running back Fitzgerald Toussaint. Bell caught 11 passes and made 124 tackles as a prep. He also ran the 40 in 4.5 seconds while averaging 18 points on the basketball court during his junior year.

Since he’s been at Michigan, the 6'1", 245-pounder hasn’t cracked the defensive lineup and will attend spring practice as a redshirt sophomore. Maybe a switch to the opposite side of the ball might help.

Ryan is just another of those excellent athletes from Cleveland St. Ignatius. At 6'1", 225,  Ryan excelled at both the inside and outside linebacker positions. He ran the 40 in 4.57 and was credited with 104 tackles during his senior season. He should arrive at spring practice listed as a redshirt freshman.

Paskorz was also a standout defensive end in high school. From the Pittsburgh area, he also played basketball, baseball and track. His brother Steve, we might add, is listed on the Notre Dame roster as a fullback.