Mike Hart
From NCAA College Football Information & Resource
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Born Leon Michael Hart on April 9, 1986 in Syracuse, New York, Mike Hart plays Running back for the Michigan Wolverines in the NCAA collegiate football tournament. Hart has played in 33 career games as a Wolverine and has started at tailback in 29 of those games. In three years of college football play, Hart has rushed for 3,679 yards (6th all-time at Michigan) on 750 carries with 29 career touchdowns (27 rushed, 2 caught). He currently holds the U-M record for rushes per game with an average of 111.5 ypg. Hart's play is also an integral part of the Wolverines' aresenal as U-M has registered a record of 17-2 when he rushes 100 yards or more. The diminutive back has also figured prominently in several prestigious national awards, including the 2006 Doak Walker Award (finalist), the 2006 Maxwell Award (semifinalist), the 2006 Walter Camp Award (watchlist), and the 2006 Heisman Trophy (fifth place).
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[edit] High School
Mike Hart attended the Onondaga Central High School where he was coached by Bill Spicer. Among his off-field stats include a 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds, a 300-pound bench press, and a 435-pound squat. On the field, Hart holds the national high school records for touchdowns in a career (204), most consecutive 100-yard rushing games (47), career 100-yard rushing games (47) and career points (1,246). He rushed for 11,232 yards in 935 carries throughout his high school career.
As a freshman, Hart rushed for 1,314 yards and 26 touchdowns on 119 carries for an 11.0 yards per carry average. That number was more than doubled a year later as he rushed for 3,341 yards and 51 touchdowns as a sophomore. As a junior, he set a state-best 61 touchdowns and rushed for 2,846 rushing yards on 223 carries for a 12.8 yards per carry average. Hart however tallied the most yardage during his prep career as a senior when he ran for 3,489 yards and 58 touchdowns on 239 carries and 67 total touchdowns.
[edit] College
[edit] 2004
Hart earned his first varsity letter during his freshman year. He made his debut against Miami on September 4 but only had minimal touches, carrying three times for 20 yards with an interception. Two weeks later, Hart became the first to rush 100 or more yards for the year, running for 121 yards on 25 carries. His first college career touchdown though did not come until after a week, when he scored on a seven yard run against Iowa. Hart's first career start took place in Indiana when he carried 20 times and gained 79 yards. Hart was first acknowledged as Big Ten's co-Offensive Player of the Week when he rushed for 206 yards on 33 carries while scoring on a touchdown reception against Purdue. Cingular/ABC Sports and Rivals.com also recognized him for his sterling play that week, giving him the All-America Player of the Week and the National Freshman of the Week, respectively. He became the first Wolverine since Jon Vaughn in 1990 to register back-to-back 200+ yards after he ran for 234 and 206 yards against Illinois and Purdue. The record did not stand for long as Hart himself broke his own feat by becoming the first Wolverine in school history to string three straight games of 200+ rush yards after he ran for 223 against Michigan State. Hart also became the first true freshman in U-M history to pass the 1,000-yard mark for a season.
By the time the smoke has cleared, Hart has concluded his rookie year with a team best 1,455 yards (U-M freshman rushing record) on 282 carries with 9 touchdowns. Hart also bagged several recognitions including a spot with the All-Big Ten first team, an SI.com All-America honorable mention, a part of Collegefootballnews.com's All-America third team, Scripps/Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-America, Rivals.com Freshman All-America first team, The Sporting News Freshman All-America second team, The Sporting News Freshman All-Big Ten, and The Sporting News Big Ten Offensive Freshman of the Year.
[edit] 2005
As a sophomore, Hart earned his second varsity letter and started 8 games at tailback for U-M. He also suffered a minor injury in his second year, but was able to shake it off after two games turning out a splendid return performance with 36 carries for 218 yards to earn the ABC Player of the Game and Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week awards. He also surpassed the 2,000 yards rushed just after two seasons of play. He finished year 2005 rushing for 662 yards on 150 carries for a 4.4 average with 4 TDs.
[edit] 2006
Hart's third varsity letter came on his third year. He started all of Michigan's 13 games at tailback, recording 1,562 yards rushed (just seven yards short behind P.J. Hill's for the league's rushing title) on 318 carries for a 4.9 average. Hart received several recognitions on his junior year, including a spot at the Rivals.com All-America first team, CollegeFootballNews.com's All-America first team, Walter Camp Football Foundation's All-America second team, AP's All-America second team, and The Sporting News' All-America second team. Hart also was an SI.com All-America honorable mention and shared the Bo Schembechler Most Valuable Player Award with linebacker David Harris. Aside from these, Hart was also considered for the Heisman trophy and finished 5th overall in the balloting.
[edit] Highlights
| Introducing, Mike Hart. As early as the preseason, Mike Hart has already made waves as he has been one of the names considered for the 2007 Heisman trophy. |
[edit] Achievements
[edit] National awards
- 2006 Doak Walker Award finalist
- 2006 Maxwell Award semifinalist
- 2006 Walter Camp Award watchlist
- 2006 Heisman Trophy fifth place
[edit] Conference honors
- 2004 All-Big Ten Conference First Team (coaches and media)
- 2004 Big Ten Freshman of the Year (coaches and media)
- 2006 All-Big Ten Conference First Team (coaches and media, unanimous)
- 2007 Big Ten Preseason Offensive Player of the Year (media)
[edit] Team awards
- 2006 Michigan football team co-MVP with David Harris
[edit] References
[edit] External Links
