Pep Hamilton discusses Michigan’s backup QB, starting RB competition

Michigan passing game coordinator Pep Hamilton spoke with the media on Thursday morning, and he made interesting comments about how things are trending at the quarterback and running back position.

With quarterback Shea Patterson returning in 2019, the depth at the position is solidified, the likes of backups Dylan McCaffrey and Joe Milton will now have to work even harder to somehow overtake Patterson for the starting spot.

When Hamilton was asked if he tells the backups to wait patiently he said “Neither of those guys wants to hear that, They want to play and they want to play right now. They understand that they’re going to have to compete and raise the level of their play to have a chance to have a ball in their hand on the field. I don’t know if there’s anything that we can say, they just have to go out and exhaust themselves to be the best they can be and see where it takes them.”

The starting running back spot is up for grabs in the Peach Bowl with Karan Higdon sitting the game out. The trio of Chris Evans, Tru Wilson, and Christian Turner all could split carries. While Hamilton is focused on the Peach Bowl, he isn’t ready to think much about who the starter will be in 2019.

“I haven’t concerned myself much with next year’s running back situation,” Hamilton said. “We have a situation this coming Saturday where we need somebody to step up and replace the production Karan had. Chris Evans, Tru Wilson, Christian Turner, those are the guys we are going to count on to be able to go out and run the football for us as well as protect our quarterback. The wildcard guy is none other than Ben hard hat Mason, he’ll have a role in that as well.”

What does Hamilton want them to do on Saturday? “We just need them to go out and make the plays. Run the football effectively, find the crease and we have to avoid the TFLs. That’s something we’ve been able to do offensively for most of the season,” Hamilton said. “Then they have to play well without the ball, that’s probably the biggest challenge for any young running back, to be able to gain the coaches trust in pass protection. That’s something we’ve given a lot of attention to leading up to this game. We’ll keep our eye on game day as well.”

Michigan takes on Florida at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta on Saturday at 12 E.T.