Michigan football: Chris Evans suspension opens door for Zach Charbonnet to run wild

Michigan football will be without running back Chris Evans for the 2020 season, but with early enrollee freshman Zach Charbonnet around, it’s no big loss for the Wolverines.

Chris Evans won’t play for Michigan football in 2020 as the reserve running back serves a year-long suspension. But it’s not time to panic about the state of the Wolverines rushing attack. Evans has been suspended since February and not even enrolled at the university, so this news is more of a formality than a shocking development. Nevertheless, Michigan is ready to move forward with a new era at running back that begins and ends with Zach Charbonnet.

Michigan’s top recruit from the 2019 class was the nation’s No. 4 running back and a top 50 overall recruit, per the 247Sports Composite Rankings. He’s ready to step into the spotlight and compete for a starting job with Tru Wilson and Christian Turner. The former walk-on Wilson has been thrust into the rule during spring football and running backs coach Jay Harbaugh has liked what he’s seen, albeit in a small sample size.

“He’s handling it well,” running backs coach Jay Harbaugh said of Wilson’s increased workload during the spring, via 247Sports. “It’s more of a role he’s ever had, gradually he’s eased into it. I think he’s getting used to that every play type of deal.

Wilson can run with the job in the spring but when fall camp begins and Charbonnet gets more comfortable on campus and in the offense, look for him to be one of the breakout stars in the Big Ten this year.

Running back is the easiest position to pick up and that’s why a few rookie ball-carriers every year are among the freshmen standouts across college football.

But look for the 6-2, 215-pound Charbonnet to get a lot of carries to complement Shea Patterson and Michigan’s pass attack. Michigan relied on Karan Higdon last year when they rattled off 10 straight wins. That’ll be the role Charbonnet plays this year.

He’s the prototype Big Ten running back who can withstand the punishment of 20-plus carries, but also dish it out to the defense who gets a heavy dose of his knees and shoulders in their chests.

Remember the name because Charbonnet is primed to be a start for the next few years.