Jim Harbaugh has stated that the biggest jump for a college football player can make is the time between their freshman and sophomore season.

And there is one returning Wolverine who is well on his way to making a big jump.

Back in 2011, Fitzgerald Toussaint led Michigan with 1,069 yards. Since then, the Maize and Blue have produced zero 1,000 yard rushers. However, sophomore running back Chris Evan could finally end that drought.

The 5-foot-11 back from Indianapolis arrived on campus last summer as a four-star recruit unsure about his future with the Wolverines. He had all the talent to become Michigan’s lead back, but he largely flew under the radar.

Fast forward a year and things look different.

“I feel a little more in the mix,” Evans told Michigan Rivals. “Last year at this point I didn’t really know if I’d be playing. So this year I feel more intact with the team, physically, mentally, emotionally, you name it,”

Last season, Evans was second the team in rushing behind since-departed De’Von Smith. As a true freshman, Evans ran for 614 yards and four touchdowns on 88 carries. That gives Evans an average of seven yards per carry.

So could Evans become the first back since Toussaint to rush for 1,000 yards for Michigan?

Probably.

During the fourth the quarter of Michigan’s 33-32 Orange Bowl loss to the Florida State Seminoles, Evans bursted for a 30 yard go-ahead touchdown run. That proved Evans has the ability to rattle off a big time run against a big time opponent when it mattered most. He also proved he can make light work against weaker teams. Against Rutgers and the Hawai’i, Evans carried the ball 19 times for 265 yards.

The crazy thing is that Evans produced those types of numbers on a limited understanding of the playbook.

“Last year I didn’t really know the protections,” Evans told Michigan Rivals. “So I was only in on free releases or running plays. Last year when I was in, I was doing one job and now it’s more of a scheme, checking this, checking that. I feel a lot more comfortable in the backfield now.”

So, the talent is certainly there.

Despite having all the makings to become a 1,000 yard rusher, the problem for Evans reaching that benchmark is that the Wolverines have a loaded backfield once again.

Along with Evans, Michigan returns Ty Isaac and junior Karan Higdon. The trio combined for 1,500 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.

It’s a very different story a year later.

This offseason, Evans made it a point to gain weight to help him become more of an every down back (he started camp at 211 pounds). He also spent a bulk of the summer watching film.

Ending the five season drought seems possible for Michigan. The Wolverines will feature a new approach to their running game when they open the year on Sept. 2 against Florida at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Running back coach Jay Harbaugh and run game coordinator Greg Frey have been receiving praise from the other Wolverine coaches and players.

According to Evans, last season, former running back coach Tyrone Wheatley taught running the ball in a “big back way”. However, Jay Harbaugh has stressed more of the technique. Chop your feet. Establish ground. Beat your guy to the point.

RELATED: Rashan Gary vs. Nick Bosa: Who has a better year in 2017?

There are questions surrounding the offensive line this season. But Evans does not need a lot of room to work. He is an outside threat, as long as the tackles do their jobs, Evans should be fine.

Assuming Evans gets the same volume of work Smith got last year, reaching 1,000 yards should not be a problem for him. And he should because Michigan has to replace wide receivers Amara Darboh and Jehu Chesson.

With that said, successful teams run the ball and run it well. The same goes for successful backs.

Evans has all the makings to become a premier back. In fact, if he performs the way he did last year but with a larger workload, he could become a top-3 back in the B1G.

Evans is ready to make the leap from freshman to sophomore year. And he is ready to become a 1,000 yard rusher for Michigan.