Michigan RB Drake Johnson will not return to football

On Monday afternoon, Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said that running back Drake Johnson will not return to the team, ending his football career.

Johnson has dealt with many injuries during his time with the Wolverines, including two ACL tears, getting run over by a forklift, and a hamstring injury. The hamstring injury forced the running back to miss the entire 2016 season.

The last game Johnson participated in was on January 1, 2016 in the Citrus Bowl, where he ran the ball six times for 58 yards and a score.

Harbaugh was looking to get a sixth-year for Johnson, but those plans have obviously changed.

“We talked about it, and there was two options, and he just hasn’t been able to get to the top,” Harbaugh said five months ago after Michigan’s 9-0 start to the season. “He can get fast but can’t really reach that high gear. You can’t push something that’s not there, but he’s training to come back next year.”

In 25 games for Michigan, Johnson logged 116 carries for 641 yards and eight touchdowns.