ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Denard Robinson's position is a secret for the final game of his college career.

It perhaps provides a preview of his unclear future in football.

The three-year starting quarterback might not throw for No. 19 Michigan against No. 11 South Carolina on New Year's Day at the Outback Bowl. He probably will catch some passes, lining up as a running back or receiver.

Robinson hopes he can make plays without taking snaps, to show NFL teams what he can do.

"If you're making plays on the field, you can't hide that," Robinson said this month before the Wolverines traveled to Florida. "You can't hide a playmaker."

Some project Robinson as a receiver in the pro.

NFL draft consultant and former Dallas Cowboys general manager Gil Brandt has another idea.

"I'd draft him to be a cornerback," Brandt said. "A quarterback never wants to be told he's going to have to play another position, but I don't think he can play quarterback in the NFL. I do know teams are always looking for cornerbacks, and I think Robinson could do it because of his quickness and speed.

"But he'd have to want to do it to make it work."

Robinson has declined to say much about what position he wants to play at the next level.

Nerve damage in his right elbow knocked him off the field Oct. 27 at Nebraska, keeping him out for the next two games and limiting his ability to throw in the final two games of the regular season.

Michigan moved him to running back and also had him take snaps without throwing a pass against Iowa and Ohio State, games in which he had 23 carries for 220 yards and a score and two receptions for 24 yards.

The Gamecocks are preparing for Robinson to play up to his spectacular potential.

"He's the best athlete that we'll play at quarterback," said South Carolina defensive line coach Brad Lawing, a former Michigan State assistant. "And if he's healthy throwing the ball, he can cause us some problems, and we know that

Robinson started his career as Tate Forcier's backup when they were freshmen. He has passed for 6,250 yards and 49 touchdowns and run for 4,395 yards and 42 scores. Robinson had a school-record 502 total yards at Notre Dame two years ago and has 10 of the top 11 games in total offense for college football's winningest team.

Huskies RB coach joins Razorbacks

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Washington running backs coach Joel Thomas will join Arkansas in the same position, new Razorbacks coach Bret Bielema said.

Thomas has spent the past four seasons at Washington and previously coached running backs at Purdue, Louisville and Idaho.

Bielema says Thomas' background in recruiting, particularly in Texas, is a strong draw for the Razorbacks. Thomas has also worked under new Arkansas offensive coordinator Jim Chaney.

One of his Washington running backs, Bishop Sankey, rushed for 205 yards and was named most valuable player in the Huskies' Saturday's loss to Boise State in the MAACO Bowl.

Another member of the UW staff, receivers coach Jimmie Dougherty, is being considered for the offensive coordinator's job at San Jose State, according to FootballScoop.com. The new coach at San Jose State is Ron Caragher, who was head coach at San Diego in 2008 when Dougherty was offensive coordinator.

Texas Tech suspends three

HOUSTON — A Texas Tech official says three Red Raiders won't play against Minnesota in Friday's Meineke Car Care Bowl because they violated team rules.

Blayne Beal, a football program spokesman, on Monday would not divulge the rules violated. He said starting defensive back Cornelius Douglas, Chris Payne, a linebacker who played mostly on Texas Tech's special teams, and backup defensive tackle Leon Mackey won't play.

The Red Raiders (7-5) take on the Gophers (6-6) about three weeks after Tommy Tuberville unexpectedly left to take the head coaching position at Cincinnati.

Chris Thomsen, who handled the offensive line under Tuberville, is interim head coach for the bowl game.

Former Red Raiders standout quarterback Kliff Kingsbury was hired as Tuberville's successor Dec. 12.

Times staff reporter Bob Condotta contributed to this report.