Chris Evans
Written By: Josh LaFond (@JoshLaFond)
Chris Evans grew up a Buckeye fan, and going to Ohio State was always his dream. But in June of 2015 a man we all Jim Harbaugh hosted a satellite camp which Evans decided to attend, and as they say, “the rest is history.”
Michigan hasn't had a dominant running back since Mike Hart walked off the field for the last time. In my eyes, though, Chris Evans can be the heir to the Hart throne. That being said, why do I think that Evans can be successful as the starting running back, and what kind of numbers do I see him posting in the 2017-18 campaign? Let's take a look.
Vision:
Having the vision to look for the hole in the defense, and hit it is something that is somewhat rare in the college landscape today.
From his first play against his Hawaii - where he waited patiently for the block, made a move, and then burst forward for a generous gain that resulted in a first down - it was apparent that he had the aforementioned vision to identify those gaps in the defense and exploit them. As the season went on he continued to show this innate ability to find those weaknesses.
Another perfect example of his vision would be his touchdown run against Florida State in the Orange Bowl (seen at the 3:00 mark). Although it didn't end up winning the game for Michigan, it might be the most beautiful run I've ever seen. He showed the patience again by waiting for the hole to open up, made that beautiful juke we all remember, and then cut to the outside where he knew he would have the space to beat the last defender.
Speed & Quickness:
Vision isn't Evans only exceptional attribute, though. To be a successful collegiate running back you not only need to find the window, you need to be able to get through it before it closes. You can see some of that speed and quickness in the links I shared in the last subheading, but you really see more of it in the highlights of the Hawaii, Rutgers, Maryland, and Florida State games.
Michigan’s starting running back last year (who I won't name) may have had heart, but he didn't have an ounce of speed or quickness within him. Chris Evans will bring flash and flare that hasn't been seen in a Wolverine backfield in a long, long time.
Elusiveness:
Written By: Josh LaFond (@JoshLaFond)
Chris Evans grew up a Buckeye fan, and going to Ohio State was always his dream. But in June of 2015 a man we all Jim Harbaugh hosted a satellite camp which Evans decided to attend, and as they say, “the rest is history.”
Michigan hasn't had a dominant running back since Mike Hart walked off the field for the last time. In my eyes, though, Chris Evans can be the heir to the Hart throne. That being said, why do I think that Evans can be successful as the starting running back, and what kind of numbers do I see him posting in the 2017-18 campaign? Let's take a look.
Vision:
Having the vision to look for the hole in the defense, and hit it is something that is somewhat rare in the college landscape today.
From his first play against his Hawaii - where he waited patiently for the block, made a move, and then burst forward for a generous gain that resulted in a first down - it was apparent that he had the aforementioned vision to identify those gaps in the defense and exploit them. As the season went on he continued to show this innate ability to find those weaknesses.
Another perfect example of his vision would be his touchdown run against Florida State in the Orange Bowl (seen at the 3:00 mark). Although it didn't end up winning the game for Michigan, it might be the most beautiful run I've ever seen. He showed the patience again by waiting for the hole to open up, made that beautiful juke we all remember, and then cut to the outside where he knew he would have the space to beat the last defender.
Speed & Quickness:
Vision isn't Evans only exceptional attribute, though. To be a successful collegiate running back you not only need to find the window, you need to be able to get through it before it closes. You can see some of that speed and quickness in the links I shared in the last subheading, but you really see more of it in the highlights of the Hawaii, Rutgers, Maryland, and Florida State games.
Michigan’s starting running back last year (who I won't name) may have had heart, but he didn't have an ounce of speed or quickness within him. Chris Evans will bring flash and flare that hasn't been seen in a Wolverine backfield in a long, long time.
Elusiveness:
Being able to evade would be tacklers is a combination of the aforementioned skills; vision, and
speed & quickness. This is a attribute that the truly great backs in college football have. The
ability to slip off a defender like you took a bath is cooking oil has always amazed me, and Chris Evans does this so well.
Season Projections:
Rushing Yards: 1,200 Touchdowns: 10 Receiving Yards: 400 Receiving Touchdowns: 4
I've long said that Chris Evans would have a great campaign this upcoming season, and I see that coming to fruition.
With the addition of Pep Hamilton’s play calling, and Coach Harbaugh speaking on the record that they will feature more spread looks (as we in the spring game, will include Evans lined up in the slot as a receiver), it should aid Chris in posting a solid statistical season.
Adding to my previous comment about Chris lined up as a receiver... I see him getting at least a couple touches a game. He has the speed, the agility, and the hands to make a grab and go. Couple that with him in the slot, the screen passes he's going to get out of the backfield, and that's why I see him performing well as a receiver.
The running back depth chart may be loaded top to bottom, but when you have a special talent like Chris Evans, you find a way to keep the ball in his hands... and that's exactly what Michigan will do.
Chris Evans Pt.2
Written By: Jared Bouck (@MichiganBoyAA)
"His name is Chris Evans" the color commentator announces as #12 steps onto the field for the first time. The date is September 3rd, 2016. The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors didn't know it, but they were part of a special day, even if the 63-3 drubbing didn't quite feel like it. They were the first opponent to have the "glorious" opportunity to stop Chris Evans, freshman sensation. With 3:12left in the first quarter, Evans converted a 3rd and 2 with ease. Evans finished the day with 122 yards on 8 carries and 2 touchdowns, his first game. Flash-forward 14 weeks and Evans is scoring the "go-ahead" touchdown against Florida State with a minute left on the biggest stage he's ever played on, Michigan lost but the point in moot, Chris Evans is a star in the making.
Stop reading this article for a second, go to YouTube or whatever media streaming website your Wolverine heart desires, and look up Saquon Barkley highlights, then Chris Evans highlights, you tell me the difference. Now, I'm not saying Evans is even close to the level Barkley, heisman contender, is....yet. But the magic word is "potential". He was one of the more overlooked recruits of the 2016 class, coming out of Ben Davis high school in Indiana. Evans finished the year with 88 caries, 614 yards and 4 touchdowns in a stuffed backfield, not bad for a player who was expected to redshirt.
I'm not going to bash Brady Hoke or any former regime, that's not why I'm writing this piece, but with Jim Harbaugh in place, we've seen players like Chris Evans, Eddie McDoom, Rashan Gary, and Devin Bush, players with REAL speed, speed that the Wolverines haven't seen in, hmm any takers? The point is, players like Chris Evans are what is going to take this team to the next level. We want to win like OSU, Alabama, Clemson right? It's almost a feeling of euphoria to have a coach that can take us there when it seemed the previous two regimes had such trouble.
Karan Higdon, Ty Isaac, Chris Evans, Kareem Walker, get used to hearing those names. I'll be completely honest, the passing game is going to take some time, Wilton can deliver, but the timing between him and his new set of 4 and 5 star receivers needs some "in-game" experience to really become deadly. Players like Chris Evans and Karan Higdon NEED to step up against Florida, Air Force, Cincinnati etc. and I believe they will, I've never heard anyone complain about 250 rushing yards per game, have you?
Are you listening ESPN? Are you listening Fox? You're going to be saying #12's name a lot the next few years. That 5'9 200lb kid from Indianapolis? He's the next Michigan man for you to salivate over. Long gone are the days of Denard Robinson and Jabrill Peppers. It's Chris Evans turn. Pop quiz, who is the last Michigan running back to eclipse that elusive 1000 yard mark in one season? Anyone? Fitzgerald Toussaint 2011. 6 YEARS! That's over. Chris could easily hit the 1,200 yard mark this year and be in discussions for the Doak Walker award. Don't take my word for it, I'm just a 22 year old kid living in the thumb of Michigan, let him prove it.
No comments:
Post a Comment