De'Veon Smith was awesome for the Michigan Wolverines against Oregon State.
The talented running back compiled 126 yards on the day while routinely overwhelming the opposition, and in total, Michigan's running game was thoroughly dominant. However, fans may see a slightly smaller dose of Smith in the upcoming contest against UNLV, as Jim Harbaugh intimated that Drake Johnson will see more time on the field.
Angelique Chengelis of the Detroit News brings word from Harbaugh's weekly press conference on Johnson's return against Oregon State and how he will move forward:
"That was that. Just have a feeling when you haven't played in a while because of an injury, your nervous system can really put your body in a position that it can't recover from. A tight fist, almost like an iron fist. Your nervous system does that to your body, just tightens up."
"To be able to get acclimated to the feelings and emotions of playing a game was what we were striving for without putting him in a position to let his nervous system get his body in a position it couldn't recover from. We'll be better for that this week and next. We anticipate he plays more against (UNLV)."
Johnson, who is the lone senior in the backfield for the Wolverines, operated as Michigan's featured back down the stretch of the 2014 season before suffering a torn ACL. There is a segment of the fan base (and the media) that believes Johnson presents the best overall package of any back on the roster, and given that his health is improving, it wouldn't be a shock to see him on the field. Still, the Wolverines already have two former five-star backs (Ty Isaac, Derrick Green) who have been relegated to backup duty and the depth chart is getting more crowded by the week.
De'Veon Smith's breakout performance should earn him the lion's share of the work until he falters, and if that never happens, Drake Johnson could be limited to a supporting role in his final season in Ann Arbor.
