First day of preseason practice at UM

RB Fitzgerald Toussaint feels confidant in becoming starter.

8/5/2013

ANN ARBOR — After the first day of preseason practices for the Michigan football team, Fitzgerald Toussaint didn’t lack for confidence. When asked who would start at running back in the Wolverines' season and home opener Aug. 31 against Central Michigan, Toussaint answered without hesitation.

“I'm going to be the starting running back Aug. 31,” he said today at Glick Field House.

Toussaint suffered a gruesome injury in Michigan’s final home game of 2012, when he broke his left leg after he was tackled by Michigan's sideline during the first half of a win over Iowa in November. The injury required surgery and ended a sub-par season for Toussaint, who finished with 514 yards and five touchdowns last season.

During today's media availability, Wolverines coach Brady Hoke said sophomore Dennis Norfleet will switch from running back to slot receiver. As a freshman, Norfleet ran for 827 yards as a kick returner.