Tag: Donovan Edwards

What Donovan Edwards is looking to improve on in offseason

Love how much he’s matured over the past year! #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Last offseason, Michigan football running back Donovan Edwards was making some lofty comparisons as to what type of tailback he was. Evoking names like Barry Sanders and Walter Payton, essentially there was nowhere to go but down for the then-junior running back.

And down he went — at least for most of the season.

Edwards struggled out of the gate and then he struggled some more. It wasn’t until the Penn State game in Week 11 that he finally started to look like the enigmatic tailback we had seen throughout 2022, and he came full circle with two big touchdown runs on two carries in the national championship game against Washington.

His plans were to have a stellar junior campaign in 2023 and then head to the NFL, but that’s not how it played out. And now, after maturing and learning numerous life lessons along the way, Edwards is happy that last year turned out how it did.

“I told Angelique (Chengelis of The Detroit News) that I wanted to leave, but also at the same time, I think that God had humbled me and was like, this isn’t your plan, this is My plan for you. So I’ve assessed everything that has happened for me. I think that to answer your question, I think that the strength for me last year, nothing football-wise, man — it’s just me growing as a man, me facing adversity, and it hitting it straight on. But the weakness was how tough am I, how much can I endure?

“Like contact balance for football, how can I improve that driving the feet? How can improve that? There was a play against — I believe it was against Indiana — goal line, end of the half, and I just didn’t get the touchdown. And that’s what I got pulled out. Blake (Corum) got the touchdown. There’s stuff that I have to work on, but I think with the confidence aspect, just going to continue to have that emerge for me.

“But everything last year, I’m blessed that it’s happened. There’s a lot of things that I have to grow as a man in. Last year continued to show me everything that I need to do.”

Now looked at as the feature back for this upcoming iteration of the Wolverines, having Edwards in the backfield isn’t as much of a luxury as it is a necessity. If Michigan’s ground game succeeds, it’s likely because Edwards is succeeding. If he doesn’t, well, that puts a damper on what the maize and blue want to do in 2024.

Thus, while he’s letting go and letting God in many ways, he’s also preparing, doing what he needs to do before the season comes in order to put himself in the best position.

With that in mind, what is he working on most particularly? A lot of things, things that he learned are important from his predecessor.

“Being able to read defense presnap, vision, balance, cuts on safeties, pass protection — everything,” Edwards said. “You can never be satisfied with what you have in your abilities. Big-play capability, I still want to improve on that. There’s never a time that you need to be satisfied within your game, no matter good you are.

“Blake Corum was great and making safeties miss. But what is he still doing? Making safeties miss. What is he (working on)? He’s continuing to work on it. So everything that I continue to do, everything that I’m going through is I have to continue to improve.”

Fans will get a chance to see Edwards in action on April 20 in the annual spring game. It will take place at noon EDT at The Big House and will be nationally televised on Fox.

Donovan Edwards breaking down the Michigan RB room: ‘The sky’s the limit for us’

It’s an interesting group of players with diverse skill-sets. #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The Michigan football running back room won’t exactly be a new-look group, but it will be missing its star of the past few years in Blake Corum. But there’s still a lot of potential within the position.

On Monday, fellow star, Donovan Edwards, shared the complexion of the group and described what each of the primary contenders brings to the table.

“I think Kalel (Mullings) is a lot like Hassan (Haskins) — I  think everybody sees that,” Edwards said. “I think that Ben Hall has some Blake Corum in him.  I think Cole Cabana has some me in him. I think (Bryson) Kuzdzal has a mixture of what I have and what Blake has.

“‘Downhill (Henry) Donahue’ is ‘Downhall Donahue.’ There’s no other Downhill Donahue! The nickname itself explains what ‘Downhill Donahue’ is all about!”

While outside of Schembechler Hall, especially considering Edwards’ disappointing 2023 season, it’s difficult to know exactly what the strength of the program the past three years will look like in 2024. But Edwards insists that fans will be surprised when they see the types of things this new committee can do, given the diversity of the room.

“It’s very diverse. Multiple people can do multiple things,” Edwards said. “You’re gonna be surprised when you see somebody doing something outside of their role because everybody can do everything. I’m excited for this group. This group has been through a lot together. We’ve grown together. We’ve seen the highs together, we’ve seen the lows together. As a team aspect, all we has to do is continue to build the camaraderie with each other. Losing to Georgia, losing to TCU, winning the national championship — we’ve been at the highest pinnacle and we’ve been at the lowest pinnacle. All we have to do is get better, push one another, push one another. Be happy for the other man’s success and the sky’s the limit for us.”

Fans will get an opportunity to see the running backs room in action on April 20 when Michigan football hosts the annual spring game at noon. The game will be broadcast live on Fox.

After a step-back year, Michigan football RB Donovan Edwards has his fire back

His senior year is going to be something to behold. #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Everyone could see it, but it was still hard to believe. Despite breaking out in his sophomore campaign, Michigan football running back Donovan Edwards had taken a step back in his junior year.

Edwards burst onto the national scene midway through 2022 when he was dominant against Penn State, but it was the Ohio State game when he busted out a 75-yard and 85-yard touchdown run that he was suddenly thrust into the national spotlight. However, 2023 didn’t quite go as planned, and now we know a little more as to why.

Though he had two 40-plus yard touchdown runs in the national championship game, Edwards’ highlight reel moments in 2023 were scant. And he says that much of the season went how it did because he somewhat lost that drive that pushed him forward from late in high school into the early part of his Michigan career.

“I’ve always had this fire in my heart and the fire and my heart started COVID year going into my senior year of high school,” Edwards said. “Working out, watching ‘The Last Dance’ with Michael Jordan and what the Chicago Bulls were doing. And that just inspired me, that made the fire in my heart continue to grow, right? And I’ll be honest, I kind of lost it like going into my junior year. Not feeling great, I’m not getting the carries that I want. But it clicked for me again, that fire in my heart was there, it became evident that — it was a practice that it just showed back up.

“So, I’m praying that everything is happening for me because all it’s going to do is just continue to push me as a player and as a man, you know? I can’t sit up here and say that I haven’t faced adversity because I have. Whether the adversity has made me a man and adversity is gonna make me a better football player. So I’m still confident that — don’t mistake my confidence for arrogance, but I’m confident within myself and my abilities and my capabilities. So, my obligation is to just continue to bring everybody else up with me, because as long as we can do that, we will be successful.”

So, how did he get his fire back? Edwards said that one practice sometime late in the 2023 season, he suddenly felt back to himself.

“Just in a practice,” Edwards said. “I think it was before one of our rivals’ games or something — something just switched within. I was taking a knee, just like just having my head down. And I felt the fire just emerge and back into my body. So I’m happy that that happened. It’s up to me just to continue to work every single day to make today better than it was yesterday and to make tomorrow better than today. So that’s what I live by and that’s what I’m going to continue to do. To help this team win and to bring guys up and to emerge them as leaders as well.”

Of course, Edwards wasn’t quite himself in 2023 also due to the fact that he had offseason knee surgery. While he was confident that the surgery would help him at the time, it set him back. He wasn’t able to participate in spring ball, and looking back, he realizes that was an opportunity missed. He also didn’t quite get over the pain and feel like his old self as he worked back into game shape.

But now, Edwards isn’t just participating in his senior spring ball, but he’s back to form and better than ever. He’s up from 200 pounds to 214, noting that should help him with contact against linebackers. He still has the home-run speed. And after having a down year, he’s ready to take that next step as the Wolverines’ feature back.

“I think that last year, spring ball, not being able to participate in spring set me back tremendously,” Edwards said. “What spring ball is about is being able to get your confidence, being able to get a feel for the game, and I wasn’t able to get there last year. Coming up with a knee surgery, I didn’t start practicing again until August, and I was still having other issues within my body that I’m still working through today.

“When you’re not feeling good — now I feel great. I feel like my cuts are looking better. I’m playing better — the speed is back and the speed is where it needs to be. And I put on 14 more pounds. So being able to stay healthy all last year and to be able to participate in spring ball right now is continuing to boost my confidence.”

Donovan Edwards shares initial impressions of new position coach Tony Alford

Excited to see how the running backs perform with the new coach! #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Among the biggest news this college football offseason has been that new Michigan football head coach Sherrone Moore managed to steal away Ohio State running backs coach Tony Alford.

Just when it had appeared that the Wolverines’ staff was set, it was revealed that Mike Hart would not be returning to the program after three years coaching in Ann Arbor, and the supposed candidates for the position weren’t exactly of a high-profile nature. Meanwhile, Moore was working behind the scenes to lure away a coach from the rival school who had already cemented himself during spring practice in Columbus.

But how is Alford working out in his new digs? Besides Alford himself, there’s no one better to ask than one of his star players.

On Monday, Donovan Edwards shared his thoughts and noted that he already had a solid relationship with Alford dating back to his recruitment. While he’s sad to not have Hart, he says Alford has been able to come in and not skip a beat.

“He recruited me to Ohio State my sophomore year in high school, and our relationship just continued to grow,” Edwards said. “It was not about a rivalry to a certain aspect. You know, like, of course it is, but as people, you respect your opponents, and that’s what Ohio State and Michigan is all about. We respect each other.

“My impression of Coach Alford thus far is the guys love him, I love him. He tells us the same thing. It’s great to have Coach Alford up here because he’s really detailed into the game. And it’s great to have him here. We love Coach Hart. It’s unfortunate that he’s not part of this team anymore. But he will always be because he’s a Michigan legend. My relationship with both of them are going to continue to grow. I think that Coach Moore did a great job in hiring Coach Alford. So the same this is going to continue to grind.”

So are there any big differences, whether it’s between Hart and Alford or even with the coaching staff in general? Edwards doesn’t appear to think so, noting that while some terminology may be different, the vision and standard in Ann Arbor is still the same.

“Not really different,” Edwards said. “They have the same things — when I say things, I mean like the same like details, just different terminology. But it’s really, really nothing different.”

Why Donovan Edwards sees no drop-off from national championship team

Despite outside noise saying otherwise, the players insist the team is still elite. #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — After Michigan football’s first spring practice of 2024, despite there being a ton of changes from this time a year ago, Donovan Edwards told MGoBlue.com that the team looks the same.

How can that be? Not only did the Wolverines lose head coach Jim Harbaugh and much of the staff, but they also lost star players like J.J. McCarthy, Blake Corum, and Mike Sainristil. Yet, Edwards insists: yes, the team looks the same.

A week after the start of spring ball, Edwards notes that while the coaches and the players may have changed, the standards have been set. It’s a continuation of what Aidan Hutchinson and Josh Ross started in 2021 and it’s just continued from there. Faces may change, but the standards within Schembechler Hall remain the same.

“This team has been built upon the culture and the culture started when I was a freshman,” Edwards said. “And it was Aidan Hutchison, Josh Ross implemented what this team is all about. And then my sophomore year, it was the exact same thing. Junior year, exact same thing. Senior year for me, exact same thing. So nothing’s gonna change for this program. Nothing’s gonna change the culture of this team.

“Yes, there’s different guys, but these different guys are gonna have to be able to understand what it’s all about to be a Michigan man and a Michigan Wolverine. So as long as the camaraderie is high with us, as long as the team chemistry is there, then the sky’s the limit for us.”

Of course, since it’s now the Sherrone Moore era and many playmakers have departed the program, there will be new faces across the board who have to step up as contributors. That may be a challenge, but it’s one that Edwards says the team embraces.

There are multiple players who are stepping up already, but again, because the standard has been set, Edwards is confident that this new-look Michigan Wolverines team will be able to still achieve at a high level.

“I’m excited to have new guys,” Edwards said. “I’m excited to see different faces emerge like Semaj Morgan, I’m excited to see (Tyler Morris). I’m excited to see you know who the quarterback is going to be for us because they’re all going to excel. Because we all have embraced what it is to be a Michigan man, a Michigan Wolverine.

“So that’s why we’ve been flying around, man. Nothing has changed. Coach Moore has continued to lay the ground rules and foundations and the leaders have continued to lead. You know, we call player-led meetings, we call player led team meetings. When something isn’t clicking, there’s a leader there saying, ‘Yo, like, we got to go,’ somebody’s gonna say like, ‘Let’s pick it up,’ or somebody’s gonna say, ‘We’re doing pretty good job,’ and notice the positive reinforcement as well as the negative reinforcement that’s being done.

“That all started in 2021 with the prior leaders before us and we’re just continuing to uphold that.”

Fans will get an opportunity to see for themselves on April 20 at noon when Michigan football hosts the annual spring game at The Big House. The game will be broadcast live on Fox.

Donovan Edwards reflects on first day of Michigan football spring practice

This team is gonna surprise a whole lot of people. #GoBlue

On Monday, Michigan football kicked off spring ball, about a month later than usual. And after winning the national championship in January, the team has a whole new look.

Gone is legendary coach Jim Harbaugh, quarterback J.J. McCarthy, running back Blake Corum, cornerback Mike Sainristil and several other notable players from the past few years of success. So the baton has been passed to new head coach Sherrone Moore and a cadre of players who remain, all with the mindset of achieving the same goal as last year.

Speaking to Ed Kengerski, Michigan running back Donovan Edwards noted there was little difference from what he saw last season and what transpired in Al Glick Fieldhouse on Monday. From his vantage point, the team still looks like the Wolverines and they still look sharp.

“It was great, man. Everyone was flying around — it doesn’t look like we missed a beat out here,” Edwards said. “Defense was flying around, offense was flying around, special teams looks great. It’s just great to — your nerves get really high, you’re anxious for spring ball and we’re here. Our challenge is to continue to be confident and to execute, excel, and win the day. And to continue to win each and every single day while we’re here.”

Given the attrition year over year, it’s not realistic that Michigan can rest on its laurels. Unlike some previous national champions, the maize and blue, while still highly thought of, are being somewhat undervalued and underrated.

It makes sense given how much turnover there was this offseason, but this group is hungry as if it weren’t a part of winning the whole shebang in 2023.

“It was a surreal feeling winning the championship,” Edwards said. “But then you wake up the next day — this is amazing, this is what we worked for, but it’s also over. Once it’s over, it’s like, OK — what are my next goals, what are my next ambitions? Because it just feels like you completed life but life isn’t completed for us. So the thing for us is we have to continue to find who we are, find our identity this year. Last year’s team is in the past but this year’s team we have to continue to build and rally around.”

Of course, fans are going to be curious as to the similarities and differences between Harbaugh’s Michigan and that coached by Sherrone Moore.

Moore received his live audition last year, coaching on an interim basis for four games. He succeeded with flying colors. When it comes to his new regime, without having Harbaugh behind the curtain, Edwards feels like Moore’s coaching style lends itself to team success.

He’s something of a player’s coach, and because of that, this team is rallying behind him.

“He’s very open and his openness allows people to respect him,” Edwards said. “It’s not like he’s a tyrant or he’s like this is what we’re gonna do. Nah, he’s a very open coach and he asks his players, ‘What do you think about this?’ And the same way with the coaches. Just the open-mindedness of him just ups his respect.

“He told me today, the way that I’ve been practicing today, if I keep that up, I’m gonna be phenomenal, I’m gonna be great. The confidence he gives his players allows them to thrive and fight for him. I told him this year, ‘Coach, we’re gonna do this; we’re gonna have your back.’ And I know that he has my back.”

Watch the entire interview below:

Where Donovan Edwards ranks among ESPN’s top 2024 running backs

He’ll finish the season much higher in similar rankings. #GoBlue

At this time in 2023, the consensus among college football analysts was  Michigan football had the nation’s two best running backs with Blake Corum coming in at No. 1 and Donovan Edwards at No. 2. Now Corum is gone to the NFL and Edwards is coming off a disappointing season — especially by his lofty standards — analysts aren’t quite as high on him.

But he’s not altogether forgotten.

Edwards has tended to show out more in bigger games, from his two 75-plus yard touchdowns against Ohio State in 2022 or his two 40-plus yard scamper-and-scores to open up a 14-point lead on Washington in the national championship game in 2023. Though he’s behind the Buckeye duo of TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins — who come in at No. 2 and 3 on ESPN’s list, respectively — Edwards is still considered a top 10 running back by the worldwide leader, ranking No. 7 in its list.

7. Donovan Edwards, Michigan

2023 stats: 497 yards rushing, 4.2 yards per rush, 5 rushing TDs, 30 receptions, 249 receiving yards, 0 receiving TDs

Points: 35

Edwards’ rapid rise to prominence in 2022 — when he rushed for 150 yards or more three times in the last six games of the regular season and nearly 1,000 total yards on just 140 carries — slowed a bit as Blake Corum returned from injury in 2023. Corum was the Wolverines’ reliable No. 1 back and produced a 1,245-yard, 27-touchdown season.

Edwards, however, still had his bright moments as he tallied almost 500 yards and five touchdowns, including a 41-yard score in the national championship game. Edwards said afterward that he played most of the season with a partially torn patellar tendon. Now, with Corum off to the NFL and Edwards returning for his junior season, the stage is set for him to become one of the most electric and productive backs in the nation. — Paolo Uggetti

If Edwards can recapture some of the magic he had in 2022 and do it more on an every-game-basis, there’s a good chance he’ll finish the season much higher. After all, he is more of a volume back — the more carries he gets, the more likely he is to break a big one. With Corum out of the picture, he’ll have more of an opportunity to showcase his talents in his senior year, and if he can find a way to break big plays sooner in games, then it will bode well for him and his maize and blue brethren in 2024.

LOOK: Star Michigan football national championship players visit Detroit Red Wings

This is probably the only time you’ll see these guys wearing red! #GoBlue

It’s good being No. 1. You’re celebrated by the people that matter and reviled by those who hate you and want to be you. When you’re home, you get a lot more of the former than the latter.

Such is the case for Michigan football and some of the players who plan to return to the 2024 iteration of the Wolverines after winning the national championship.

To the victors go the spoils, and the victors valiant are taking full advantage. Michigan natives Donovan Edwards and Will Johnson joined up with Colston Loveland and Rod Moore to visit the Detroit Red Wings game on Thursday evening and were highlighted by the team’s social media all decked out in Wings gear.

This might be the only time while in college you see any Michigan players wearing the color red!

The visit was arranged by Valiant Management and the NIL outfit included more, including video:

Edwards and Moore had been expected to depart for the NFL but instead chose to return for their senior seasons. If they had left, they likely wouldn’t have been around to be celebrated as such as they would have likely been in a different city training for the NFL combine. Of course, Johnson and Loveland have another year to play before they could depart, but it’s still good to see them making the most out of their post-championship season.

The Red Wings are hosting the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday evening.

Why Donovan Edwards decided to return to Michigan football for his senior year

The Don’s gonna turn it up in 2024! #GoBlue

At this time last year, it felt like we’d only see Michigan football running back Donovan Edwards in a winged helmet for one more season. However, the junior Wolverine’s 2023 season did not go as expected.

Despite being billed as one-half of the best running back duo in the country, Edwards could not find much running room and there were few of his signature home-run-style runs. Sure, he broke out against Penn State and in the national championship game against Washington. But with only half of the production from a year ago, Edwards sat down, prayed, came up with reasons he should stay or go and acted accordingly.

He spoke to Jake Butt on “The L.A.B. Podcast” by Champions Circle to detail his decision to return.

“I made my pros and cons list right? And for me, a couple pros was getting a degree, I graduate in the fall,” Edwards said. “Getting a degree, still be comfortable in my hometown, in my home state. Being able to connect with other people. And some of the cons were things that it’s just like a possibility, like maybe what happened, versus the pros, it was like, it’s going to happen. So for me, I’m not here for anything else, but to, you know, like, be the best version of myself and bring the best out to others. It’s not about money for me, it’s not about gloating in myself. It’s not about that for me. For me, it’s more so just doing what I have to do, just being a great person. What other place is there to be able to grow than at the University of Michigan, which is the school in the country?

“So that’s just what it was, for me, just made my pros and cons list, and the pros outweigh the cons. And I also prayed on it too. And, I just feel like that’s what God needs me to do, is to continue to grow up, continue to be a righteous man and uplift other people, and to be a mentor now. And I finally get the opportunity to be able to do so.”

The mentorship aspect is big for Edwards, considering there will be a new-look team next year, no matter which way you slice it.

While the defense returns most of its production, the offensive side loses a great deal: running back Blake Corum, the entire starting offensive line, tight end AJ Barner, both starting wide receivers and quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Though Michigan just won the national championship, Edwards said he and his teammates believe they still have unfinished business, and they’re out to prove something this next season.

In order to do so, Edwards said multiple players must step up. And he and some of his teammates are eager to help them rise to where they need to be to make another championship run.

“I’m still hungry,” Edwards said. “The season wasn’t how I wanted it to be necessarily. And, just popping out the way that I did on the biggest stage, for me, it’s like, that’s great. But, you know, like, what’s better than doing it again, you know, like, what’s better than, you know, like, working hard in the offseason. And to be able to do it again. So, that’s what my mindset is, I’m still hungry.

“And, I feel like now I’ll be one of the leaders on the team now and that’s what I want to implement to the guys. Everybody’s gone right now so what we have to do is continue to stay together. Bring the young guys up, have the older guys like Kalel and I mentor Cole Cabana, Ben Hall, Jordan Marshall — that’s coming in. So that’s where my mindset is like.

“We’re still hungry. And the other guys that I’ve talked to to like Tavierre, Alex Orji, Will, (Colston Loveland) — we still hungry, even though we have the, saying the job’s finished, we still want more.”

Top players who opted to return to college instead of entering the 2024 NFL draft

Top players who opted to return to college instead of entering the 2024 NFL draft

Most of the time when college players make an announcement about their eligibility and the NFL draft, it’s them declaring they’re leaving school and entering the professional ranks. But not everyone leaves early, not even when projected as a potential first round pick.

There are a few college players who opted to stay in the college ranks instead of declaring for the 2024 NFL draft. Here are some of the bigger names who opted to stay in school.