Ann Arbor — Michigan has gone with a running back rotation this season, but one has distinguished himself — in pass protection.
Senior De’Veon Smith.
“It’s a process to become a good blocker as a running back,” Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said of Smith, who also leads the team with 27 carries and has run for 152 yards and one touchdown. “I’ve seen that process from not being able to do it at all to becoming very good at it. (Smith) takes a lot of pride in it.
“He’s very far along at being a good pass-protecting back, which is something that, when you draft guys into the NFL, when you see good running backs coming in, we’re starting at the beginning here and teaching this youngster how to pass protect.