chris evans
josh ross
[Bryan Fuller]

Chris Evans To Return Next Semester Comment Count

Brian November 11th, 2019 at 12:26 PM

Running back Chris Evans has worked his way back from his suspension, per Harbaugh:

Evans will join a suddenly-crowded backfield/slot situation, as Michigan should bring back all of Zach Charbonnet, Hassan Haskins, Christian Turner, Ronnie Bell, Mike Sainristil, and Giles Jackson.

Still, Evans is an explosive, versatile offensive weapon who looked like a perfect fit for Josh Gattis's "speed in space" offense until 1) he got suspended and 2) Michigan decided to not run anything to the perimeter until the Penn State game. He averaged 5.2 yards a carry on 81 attempts in 2018 and also had 18 catches on 20 targets, albeit for a relatively modest 8.2 yards a catch.

In other roster news, one point to Dave for correctly prognosticating a Josh Ross redshirt:

He should return as a redshirt junior next year for what projects to be a bang-up LB corps next to Cam McGrone.

Comments

LKLIII

November 11th, 2019 at 3:32 PM ^

Great to see him back.

My hope is that when he knocks the rust off, he actually comes in a good 10-12 lbs lighter than last season.

He seemed so shifty his freshman season but then by his own admission he hit a freshman year wall in terms of endurance.  I think the staff then bulked him up to prevent that from happening again, but in the process he seemed to have lost some of that prior elusiveness.

 

Joined: 11/06/2013

MGoPoints: 8927

San Diego Mick

November 11th, 2019 at 4:55 PM ^

This is great news for him and the team, I hope he succeeds on and off the field.

After what he went through and still persevere,  he might have so much respect from his teammates that he could be voted a captain, who knows. 

If that happens then leadership is a good thing. Good luck Chris, hope you succeed in all of your endeavors! 

Joined: 05/11/2011

MGoPoints: 50682

albapepper

November 11th, 2019 at 6:45 PM ^

Real excited to have this guy back!  He showed up in both OSU games he played in. 

 

Terrific slot/RB combo.  And if you've been following his workouts on social media, he's a freak athlete. 

 

Put him next to the two bruisers in Charbonnet and Haskins and that's a backfield that can do some damage!

Joined: 12/19/2018

MGoPoints: 75

Dorothy_ Mantooth

November 12th, 2019 at 7:50 AM ^

potential good strategy w/Ross if McGrone and LB corp stays healthy... I kind of thought they'd implement a similar approach w/McCaffrey - before they gave him some game snaps in a few post-concussion games

I'd save Ross for OSU

Joined: 01/24/2012

MGoPoints: 1423

Alumnus93

November 12th, 2019 at 10:14 AM ^

He was the last player I'd have thought would have academic issues, when I hear of him so competitive as a flag football coach that he staked out the opposing teams, unless he wanted to do so well that he got caught cheating.   Either way, I hope he stays next year and doesn't leave after spring.  

Joined: 09/10/2009

MGoPoints: 9684

GoBlue1969

November 12th, 2019 at 10:28 AM ^

Great for him. Glad he has been able to right himself, and sounds like the University stood by him and helped him get back to reinstatement. Whatever he went through, happy for him. Looking forward to seeing Chris on the field next year.

Joined: 01/05/2019

MGoPoints: 5483