Michigan Thursday: Trouble is Finding Big 10 Running Backs

Michigan is well aware how injuries, transfers and lack of depth can cost you games.  It the past 3 years, Michigan has had serious depth at defensive back.   U of M had to switch wide receivers and running backs into cornerbacks just to give the position some depth.

Iowa also has had a historic run on running backs getting injured or kicked out of school. 

It now seems that trouble is finding Big 10 running backs on many Big 10 teams.  Here are the following examples:

• Iowa:  Corker and McCall has transferred.  Canzeri ACL, Freshman Greg Garmon trouble with 2 marijuana charges. De'Andre Johnson has recently had some run ins with the law and was dismissed from the team yesterday.

• Michigan:  #1 tailback Fitz Toussaint is suspended from all team activities as he was recently pulled over for DUI.

• Wisconsin: Montee Ball was taken to the hospital yesterday as he was assaulted and robbed.

• Penn State: Loses their #1 RB to USC after they were hit with strong NCAA Sanctions.  2012 class signee RB Akeel Lynch is considering transferring to Iowa.  (it seems he will find playing time at either location)

• OSU:  Jordan Hall injures foot and is out for 10 weeks, Brionte Dunn has legal troubles.

• Purdue:  Ralph Bolden status is unclear due to past injuries including an ACL and recently getting arrested for public intoxication and forcing a woman to kiss him. 

Recruiting News:

Remember LB EJ Levenberry who picked FSU over Michigan many months ago?  Well, he is considering opening up his recruitment and wanted to take another trip to Ann Arbor to sit down with Greg Mattison and Brady Hoke.  The issue is Michigan doesn't have a spot for EJ right now,  so unless something major happens EJ will have to visit some other schools.

Update:  Former Michigan verbal commit K Anthony Fera and now former Penn State player is transferring to Texas.

• Derrick Green's top 6:  Tennessee, Michigan, Virginia Tech, Auburn, Ole Miss and Oregon.  He hasn't visited Nike Town yet but probably will. 

• Instate 2014 QB Chance Stewart committed to Wisconsin.   Michigan had a number of 2014 QB's at the BBQ but not Chance who has 2 offers in Western Michigan and Wisconsin.