Name: Nico Tiberia
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 201 lbs.
High school: Allen Park (MI) Allen Park
Position: Running back
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #36
Last year: I did not rank Tiberia. He did not play in any games.
TTB Rating: N/A
Tiberia was a highly productive running back at Allen Park in high school, but that was a few years ago. He walked onto the team and has not played in the past two seasons. Michigan needs running back help from a walk-on or two, considering they only have four scholarship backs. Last year four scholarship backs and four walk-on backs carried the ball. If last year shows anything, it will probably be Leon Franklin as the top walk-on, but Tiberia will have a chance to play.
Prediction: Backup running back
Interesting. Likely that Michigan gets some contributions from walk-on RBs in 2022. Perhaps Tiberia will one. Ideally they'd be able to develop a FB and or power back from the group.
ReplyDeleteThat all said, Michigan doesn't have any NEED at for a walk-on to do anything. With 4 scholarship backs, even mop up duty can be covered. Last year only 3 RBs were needed to handle every meaningful snap. And that was with 2 of them getting injured. But it's good to reward the walk-ons especially those who work hard on special teams and scout teams.
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Last year Michigan had a 220 lb. power back who was capable of eating up 270 carries, one of the highest totals in Michigan history (9th) and the highest total since 2006. Corum and Edwards are roughly 200 pounds, and Tavi Dunlap is totally unproven.
DeleteAll true facts. But Michigan hasn't needed meaningful carries from a 4th RB anytime I can remember. Even during the Harbaugh era. They've USED 4th RBs in several years, because there is typically plenty of depth and guys fail to differentiate, but they haven't had to count on them.
Delete2020 - Best backfield ever but couldn't even get an NFL back above 20 carries. (*COVID) Not enough balls to go around with 4 guys who are good enough to start.
2019 - 4th back (Turner) got some meaningful carries but he was behind a walk-on and thus was the 3rd scholarship back. Jackson makes for a better argument because he was there to close the season, but you see him as a WR so I guess he doesn't count. He wasn't needed in either case.
2018 - no meaningful carries beyond top 2 scholarship RBs, a walk-on, and the FB.
2017 - Kareem Walker did get a handful of meaningful carries but his season total was 20 carries. This may be the best argument for needing a 4th guy?
2016 - used more than 4 guys because they had 3 NFL backs and the 4th best one was pretty solid too (Ty Isaac). Never needed to, especially with Peppers and Mason around.
2015 - used a bunch of guys because they struggled all year to find anyone better than a replacement level FB - they failed. Houma closed the year as Smith's top backup.
The truth is you only need 2 scholarship RBs who are good and a 3rd to cover capably if one of those guys is hurt. Otherwise you can use walk-ons.
RB depth concerns remain a proverbial nothingburger.
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By bringing up the weight, I assume you mean to imply that smaller backs are more likely to get hurt. Perhaps, but the data says otherwise:
Deletehttps://www.footballoutsiders.com/stat-analysis/2018/weight-and-injuries
That says a 230 pound RB is slightly MORE likely to get hurt than a 190 pound back. It's also logical that a bigger back is taking more hits, is probably taller and more exposed to damaging injuries. The article notes: "It's possible that injuries could be more frequent in heavier players due to the greater impact forces they suffer." BUT it's also possible coaches are managing smaller RBs workloads more carefully so the study is biased.
At best, I'd say it's speculative to assume that size will be a factor in injuries.
My favorite back of all time Barry Sanders was small but very durable.
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Barry Sanders was also probably the best back in NFL history at avoiding hits...and also the best back in NFL history period.
DeleteEddie George was very durable and played 16 games every season until his last, but he was 6'3". He had more 16-game seasons (8) than Sanders did (7) and played in 9 playoff games, while Sanders only played in 7 playoff games.
Agree on Barry. I wouldn't put the Lions playoff struggles on him. There's only so much a RB can do, even one that truly matters.
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