Michigan football: Expect Wolverines to be vastly improved this season
By Joel Greer
Oct 11, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Brady Hoke against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Hoke deserves some credit
Michigan’s new and improved Wolverines must give some credit to ex-coach Brady Hoke for leaving a roster loaded with upperclassmen.
Offensively, nine players expected to start are juniors, seniors or grad students.
A quick look at running back and the offensive line shows that Harbaugh has inherited some pretty good talent.
If Drake Johnson recovers from his second ACL tear, he’ll lead backs like Derrick Green, De’Veon Smith and Ty Isaac, who transferred from Southern Cal. All three are power runners whose best days are ahead of them.
Johnson, who rushed for 74 yards and two touchdowns against Ohio State last season, may have made a difference if he didn’t suffer another ACL injury midway in the third quarter. Johnson, who was an All-American hurdler at Ann Arbor Pioneer HS, has shown speed, power and balance to go along with a very good football IQ.
Next: Experience in an important place