Football teams often have to deal with sudden change, but going from Hassan Haskins and Blake Corum to Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards to Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards to (question mark) means that there’s little known production at the running back position for Michigan football entering 2025.
Though Ben Hall and Jordan Marshall are anticipated to be among those who tote the rock this upcoming season, the Wolverines sought some outside help. And they got it — ironically from the team that it plays next — Alabama.
On Friday, Dec. 13, Alabama running back Justice Haynes, coming out of his second season, entered the transfer portal, to the horror of fans in Tuscaloosa. Though Georgia and Ohio State thought to be involved, Michigan ended up battling South Carolina, it ended up being Haynes’ relationship with running backs coach Tony Alford that played a role, as he is set to commit instead to the Wolverines, per 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz.
Alabama running back transfer Justice Haynes, the No. 1 ranked RB in the portal, is currently expected to transfer to Michigan, sources tell @CBSSports/@247Sports.
The Class of 2023 five-star recruit ran for 448 yards and seven TDs this season at Bama.https://t.co/MXGso3FiBH pic.twitter.com/YJrCANMJ5c
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) December 24, 2024
Here is how Haynes ranked as a recruit coming out of Buford (Ga.) in 2023:
| * | Ovr | Pos | St | |
| 247Sports Composite | 5 | 24 | 2 | 2 |
| On3 Industry Ranking | 4 | 33 | 2 | 2 |
| 247Sports | 4 | 34 | 3 | 3 |
| On3 | 4 | 39 | 3 | 2 |
| ESPN | 4 | 24 | 2 | 2 |
| Rivals | 4 | 33 | 1 | 2 |
In 2024, Haynes had 79 carries for 449 yards and seven touchdowns while also adding 17 receptions for 99 yards. He didn’t see much time in 2023, but did get four carries for 31 yards against Michigan in the Rose Bowl.