Michigan Wolverines Running Back Fitzgerald Toussaint Ready To Lead Running Game

November 17, 2012; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Fitzgerald Toussaint (28) runs the ball against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the first quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Brady Hoke and key players on the Michigan Wolverines football team were talking about the 2013 season during Media Day. The health of Fitzgerald Toussaint, who missed time last season with a broken leg, was a big topic for those in attendance. Michigan is much deeper at running back this year so Toussaint will not only need to be healthy but perform well to retain the starting job.

Brady Hoke was asked about how Toussaint was performing at camp during the media day press conference.

"Great. He’s done everything. We hit each other pretty good yesterday in both practices. He’s done everything. He’s been great.”"

Michigan’s backfield is more crowded this season and a few players are battling for time at the starting position. Hoke spoke about other players who are progressing at the running back position.

"Justice Hayes had a really strong spring, if you remember, he had a really good summer and he’s had a really good fall camp. Drake Johnson, same thing. I think his work ethic — how he’s built his body, how he’s learned, has been great. I think Thomas Rawls would be the same way. We’ve got some tough decision here in about two weeks because they’re all competing. Will somebody separate themselves? You’d like for that to happen, but at the same time, they’re all competing.”"

Hoke also spoke about how he will divide up playing time for his talented back field and how he might use the back situationally,

"I would probably lean a little more that there will be more than just one guy. I think we have the personnel. I’m not going to get into first-down backs, second-down backs, third-down backs, because I think there is some of that built into any system, but I think whoever will be that main guy nine days before, we’ll probably have that figured out.”"

One of the players battling to be the main guy is Five-star running back recruit Derrick Green. Green suffered a minor injury last week just days after the start of camp. He is expected to compete for the starting job but the injury is definitely a set back considering the depth at the running back position.

Toussaint doesn’t seem phased at all by the competition. In fact from what he told the media he seems to relish it.

"That’s what Michigan is, we’re the leaders and best and we compete at everything. I feel like it’s good, and it’s my job is to be a leader and go out there and get those guys acclimated to the system so they can live up to their potential.”"

A healthy Toussaint can only mean good things for the Michigan running game that will depend much more on their running back in the pro-style offense the team is employing this year.

Keep checking with Detroit Jock City for the latest Michigan Wolverine training camp news.

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