Illinois Michigan Football.JPG

Michigan running back Thomas Rawls (38) breaks away from Illinois defensive back Earnest Thomas (9) for a 63-yard touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012. Michigan won 45-0.

((AP Photo/Carlos Osorio))

ANN ARBOR, MI – Michigan's backfield will be a little less crowded next season. Flint native Thomas Rawls has left the Wolverines to become a Chippewa at Central Michigan University for his senior year.

The University of Michigan's athletic department confirmed that Rawls has been granted his release from the football program on Saturday afternoon but wouldn't comment on the situation.

"I'm looking for a better opportunity to showcase my talents being in the backfield and having my opportunity hopefully if God blesses me to play at the next level," Rawls said. "(Michigan) wasn't really mad and they might have felt a little disappointed but I don't think they were expecting me to leave but they were there for me and supported me with my decision."

In his first three seasons at Michigan, Rawls rushed for 333 yards on 73 attempts with five touchdowns. He appeared in 20 games but only started one at running back and contributed briefly on special teams. Rawls only rushed for 12 yards on three carries in the 2013 season after having a solid camp.

"It was frustrating especially when I was the last running back that was played against Central Michigan (on Aug. 31) after I had a good camp, good practices and I was promised things that didn't fall through," Rawls said. "But the thing is that my mindset didn't let me quit and I kept grinding but they didn't recognize what I was doing."

Rawls was heavily recruited by CMU before signing with UM coming out of Flint Northern High School in 2011, but couldn't turn down the MAC school's offer to play for one of the most prestigious programs in the country at the time. Although he received media praise from Michigan's coaching staff, including running backs coach Fred Jackson who was a former varsity football coach at Flint Southwestern, things didn't pan out the way he envisioned, but Rawls doesn't regret the move and still respects Brady Hoke and everyone in Ann Arbor.

"A lot of Michigan fans might be disappointed but I want to let them know that I don't regret coming here and I want to thank them for all of the support and graciousness really," Rawls said. "I just want a better opportunity because I'm still chasing my dream (of playing professional football) and I don't really worry about who cares because at the end of the day it's my dream that I'm chasing. If I fail, I can say that I gave it all of that I got."

He called CMU a "new beginning" for his college career. Rawls expects to play this upcoming season and said he has already talked to CMU's coaching staff.

"What I will bring to Central Michigan is a tough attitude, leadership and good characteristic skills and work," Rawls said. "I can't promise them that we will win a MAC championship but I can promise them that I can work hard and hopefully the guys will embrace me and I won't embarrass the program."

CMU ended the 2013 season with a 6-6 overall record. Former Michigan State quarterback Dan Enos is head coach of the Chippewas.