Name: Benjamin Hall
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 235 lbs.
High school: Kennesaw (GA) North Cobb
Position: Running back
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #28
Last year: I ranked Hall #51 and said he would be a backup running back (LINK). He played in three games and had 15 carries for 69 yards.
TTB Rating: 71
Hall was the star of the 2023 spring game after enrolling early. He made some nice cuts, showed a little more quickness than expected, and powered through some tackles. But Michigan already had a couple good, proven backs in Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, so a starring role wasn't in the cards. Furthermore, Michigan had Kalel Mullings - who converted from linebacker late in 2022 - as a powerful back in the rotation, so they didn't necessarily need Hall's skill set. Some people thought Hall would be RB3 ahead of Mullings, but Hall instead managed to carry the ball just 15 times and retain his redshirt. His best game was a 9-carry, 58-yard performance against Indiana.
The outlook is a little better for Hall now that Corum is playing for the Los Angeles Rams, but Edwards and Mullings still stand in the way. Furthermore, new running backs coach Tony Alford seems to like Tavierre Dunlap a little more than Mike Hart did, and true freshman Jordan Marshall is a potential star. So the picture is clearer ahead of Hall, but it's murky once you get to #3 on the depth chart. It's anyone's guess whether Dunlap, Hall, or Marshall ends up as the third guy, with Cole Cabana and Micah Ka'apana seemingly playing from behind for now.
Prediction: Backup running back
It'd be nice if he could assert himself, but the room is loaded. I wouldn't be surprised to see Cabana in a specialty role (though limited) get more touches
ReplyDeleteLoaded with a converted LB who fumbles goal line carries and a limited RB who falls over blades of grass and should play WR? RIP Harball? LOL
DeleteMullins looks like dude. Edwards, huh, need to see it to believe it if they want to run him between the tackles and grind like Corum did. Mullins can block, run and catch so both could be in at the same time. Mullins could pave people. Edward motions out to get one on one with a LB and run mullins or pass.
Deletewith orji possibly keeping and blasting fools at 6'3" 230, this could be interesting. RR offense!
Probably the #3 or #4 back IMO but there's a lot of uncertainty. I think he'll get some decent opportunities to audition for next year when games are decided. Perhaps Marshall or Cabana pass him over, perhaps not.
ReplyDelete