Jim Harbaugh says Michigan’s run game will lean on Hassan Haskins, Blake Corum

The Michigan Wolverines have had a problem in recent seasons of having too many cooks in the kitchen in the running back rotation. Heading into the fall, it seems like they know what the dichotomy will look like.

Hassan Haskins and Blake Corum will shoulder most of the load this season, head coach Jim Harbaugh said on Jon Jansen’s “In The Trenches” podcast.

“Blake Corum and Hassan Haskins are two tremendous players,” Harbaugh said. “That’s where a bulk of the carries are going to go. We’re going to lean heavily on those two players.”

Haskins is more of a bruising back that will pick up tough yards, while Corum projects to be an all-purpose burner that brings a different look to the backfield. True freshman Donovan Edwards is said to have a combination of those skills and will still play a role this year.

“He’s come in as a mid-year (player) and shown that he’ll play,” Harbaugh said. “He’ll play a lot. I love Donovan. He can do just about anything.”

“He’s got some real talent,” he continued. “There’s going to be some exciting things you’ll see in Donovan right out of his freshman year. He’s very much on track to do that.”

Tavierre Dunlap raised some eyebrows with his abilities in spring football, as well. He seemingly could be next in line for a Haskins-type role when his number is called.

“He made a lot of strides in spring ball, getting his pads down at the line of scrimmage and using that power he possesses,” Harbaugh said.

Michigan narrowing its focus on how the backfield rotation will look seems like it would go a long way in helping develop some rhythm in the run game. There is still plenty of room to rotate, but new running backs coach Mike Hart seems the type more likely to find a lead back and feed the hot hand.

There is a lot of work to do and a lot to prove, but Michigan is not hiding who its key players will be. They have done the same with the quarterback position having named Cade McNamara the starter in spring. Here’s to hoping that peace of mind helps the offense get comfortable earlier than it has the last few years.