Who is Christine Michael?

(this is part of the 30 questions/30 days series on the Texas A&M football team)

Answer: You'll know soon enough. So will the Big 12.

Let's make one thing quite clear: Cyrus Gray is developing into a quality running back. He worked his way into the starting lineup last year at the expense of more experienced (and oft-injured) players Mike Goodson, Keondra Smith and Jorvorskie Lane. His reward will probably be lost carries.

Why? Christine Michael. Don't call him "Christine," by the way; his name is pronounced "Christian." In spite of that pronunciation, he may go Old Testament on the competition, sooner rather than later.

Michael has the classic A&M running back build, like Greg Hill, Rodney Thomas and Leeland McElroy: he's 5'11, 205. He's also runs the 40 in the mid 4.4's, so he has the size and strength to pound opponents and the speed to hit the home run. He also holds on to the ball, which differentiates him from Goodson (who is still struggling with that in the NFL). Even though he is dancing around behind the line of scrimmage in practice, most of the time he hits the hole aggressively.

Michael is the Aggies' most-heralded running back recruit since Goodson and may turn out to be the best they've had since McElroy. That's heady praise, but this true freshman appears to be the complete package. In two years, Michael may be known as the guy who returns Texas A&M to football prominence.