Michigan’s had great production at running back this season, and they’re about to see if they have great depth at the position.
Justice Haynes was injured against USC in October, underwent surgery on his
foot and won’t be returning during the regular season. Jordan Marshall, who’s filled in for Haynes at an elite clip, suffered a shoulder injury against Northwestern last week, and his availability against Maryland on Saturday is up in the air. It’ll be former walk-on Bryson Kuzdzal carrying the load for the Wolverines if Marshall doesn’t play.
“I think Bryson would be the guy,” Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore said this week.
Kuzdzal ran hard and effectively against Northwestern and was clutch on Michigan’s game-winning drive. In all, Kuzdzal rushed 15 times for 53 yards.
Kuzdzal ran with a good burst and hit holes hard with speed and power. For a back that had just 10 carries heading into the Northwestern game, Kuzdzal’s vision and aggressiveness were impressive.
“He’s about 5’11”, 6-foot, 210, 215 pounds, so he’s bigger than he actually looks,” Moore said. “He’s long, dangly, but he’s strong. He’s fast. He’s super explosive, and really, it’s just been, you know, he was a walk-on, came in as a walk-on, and he’s a guy that’s just kind of earned his stripes, been a special teams guy, played all four core, and then now he’s playing a role as the running back, could be the starting running back this weekend.”
Moore expressed confidence in Kuzdzal if his number is called against Maryland.
“You don’t blink when he’s in there because he’s physical, he runs fast, he runs downhill,” Moore said.
Maryland ranks No. 102 in rushing defense and is the weakest link of their defense, so if it is indeed Kuzdzal who is RB1 on Saturday, it could be a perfect opportunity for him to not only gain experience but also find success.
