Tag: justice haynes

Incoming Michigan football transfer named second ‘most impactful’ in 2025

He’s gonna be a beast for #GoBlue

Michigan football has been more active in the transfer portal this year than perhaps any other, but some of the names of those who have come to Ann Arbor aren’t necessarily as well-known as what we’ve seen other teams get.

Regardless, the Wolverines have the best class in the Big Ten according to On3 and one of the players is the second-most impactful player to come off the board, according to Pete Nakos.

The maize and blue quickly targeted Alabama running back Justice Haynes once he hit the open market. Though it took some time for Haynes to commit and then sign, he’s officially a Wolverine now, and Nakos says that his inclusion should pay some big dividends for Michigan football in 2025.

2. Michigan RB Justice Haynes
In his two seasons with the Crimson Tide, Justice Haynes rushed for 616 yards and 9 touchdowns. The 5-foot-11, 210-pound running back now reunites with Tony Alford, the former Ohio State running backs coach who is now at Michigan. With Donovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings’ departures, Haynes will now pair with Jordan Marshall in the Michigan backfield.

Whether Haynes starts or Jordan Marshall does, it’s as solid of a one-two punch as Michigan’s had on paper in recent years, and that includes the Hassan Haskins-Blake Corum or Blake Corum-Donovan Edwards tandems. Though Haynes’ numbers aren’t astronomical, he accumulated those numbers these past two seasons while being either the third or fourth running option for the Crimson Tide, given the quality of Alabama’s depth chart and the fact that it ran quarterback Jalen Milroe quite often.

Justice Haynes officially signs with Michigan football

FINALLY! #GoBlye

It’s been a long time coming that Michigan football had been hoping to get one of, if not its top targets in the fold via the transfer portal. And after weeks of waiting, the Wolverines officially got their guy.

It had appeared rather odd, that 247Sports reported that former Alabama running back Justice Haynes was set to transfer to Michigan football, yet there was no celebration from the coaching staff, and no announcement from the school that he had signed. Many held off on officially reporting the transfer.

After weeks of waiting, it’s finally done and Haynes is officially a Wolverine, the school announced on Friday.

With Haynes in the fold, Michigan football has its running back room set for 2025. Haynes, Jordan Marshall, and Ben Hall will likely be the three-headed monster for the Wolverines for the foreseeable. He comes to Ann Arbor with a junior classification and two years of eligibility remaining.

Update on Alabama transfer RB Justice Haynes

Clearing some things up. #GoBlue

Michigan football had one obvious top target in the transfer portal this cycle in running back Justice Haynes, who is coming off of a two-year career at Alabama.

247Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported weeks ago that Haynes was ‘expected’ to commit to the Wolverines, hours after putting in a 247Sports Crystal Ball, yet there never was an official post noting he had committed or signed. However, Zenitz updated on Thursday that Haynes is expected in Ann Arbor in short order. Further, On3’s Pete Nakos says that Haynes to Michigan football is a done deal and that he will officially become a Wolverine.

So, what’s been the holdup? We reported on the Locked On Wolverines Podcast on both Wednesday and Thursday that the holdup has been somewhat administrative in nature, according to one person close to the situation. We can confirm it’s not an admissions issue and it’s essentially been a waiting game for him to officially sign, but there are no concerns within Schembechler Hall in regards to Haynes ending up in Ann Arbor.

From what we were told, he’s been locked in to Michigan and now it appears as if he will begin his Michigan career in earnest sooner than later.

On losing Haynes and defensive tackle Damon Payne to Michigan football, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer commented on Monday from the ReliaQuest Bowl:

“Tough question!” DeBoer said. “I’m just going to say this: I think I’m always going to wish the guys that are in our program the best and those are two really good, solid young men and I’m always going to wish them the best. And I hear the word fit coming from coach Moore’s conversation, talk here and that’s what you always hope is that the college experience for anyone that you get to coach, you want it to be in your program, you want it to be in your program, but ultimately this time comes and goes really fast and so I’m always going to wish the guys the best that were part of the year that we had here or any time I’ve coached throughout my career.”

Kalen DeBoer reacts to losing Damon Payne and Justice Haynes to Michigan

Excited to see what these guys do in maize and blue. #GoBlue

TAMPA, Fla. — The transfer portal is a tricky thing: You gain some and you lose some.

For Michigan football this past offseason, it lost up-and-coming safety Keon Sabb to Alabama, a team it had just played and is about to play in the ReliaQuest Bowl.

When the most recent transfer portal period opened in December, Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer learned two players he had hoped would suit up for him in the final game of 2024 will sit out, transfer to Michigan and play for the Wolverines in 2025.

Former five-star defensive tackle Damon Payne signed with the maize and blue just over a week ago. Former five-star running back Justice Haynes hasn’t been announced as a Wolverine, meaning he hasn’t signed. As a result, Sherrone Moore wouldn’t speak on the duo leaving the Crimson Tide for the Wolverines. However, Kalen DeBoer shared what it’s like to lose both to his up-and-coming opponent.

“Tough question!” DeBoer said. “I’m just going to say this: I think I’m always going to wish the guys that are in our program the best and those are two really good, solid young men and I’m always going to wish them the best. And I hear the word fit coming from coach Moore’s conversation, talk here and that’s what you always hope is that the college experience for anyone that you get to coach, you want it to be in your program, you want it to be in your program, but ultimately this time comes and goes really fast and so I’m always going to wish the guys the best that were part of the year that we had here or any time I’ve coached throughout my career.”

Both players have a strong shot to be starters for the maize and blue given the departures at both defensive tackle and running back. As for the bowl game, the Wolverines are thin at both positions, but we should see more Rayshaun Benny and Trey Pierce on defense and Jordan Marshall and Ben Hall on offense.

Alabama transfer running back announces commitment to Big Ten program

The Alabama running back will play in the Big Ten next season.

The lone Alabama Crimson Tide player currently in the transfer portal yet to make a decision, running back Justice Haynes has now officially done so, as he announced a commitment to the Michigan Wolverines on Tuesday.

A sophomore, Haynes has spent each of the past two seasons in Tuscaloosa as a member of Alabama’s running back room where he has rushed for a total of 616 yards and nine touchdowns on 104 attempts. Haynes is also coming off a breakout 2024 season in which he rushed for 448 yards and seven touchdowns on 79 attempts, while also catching 17 passes for 99 yards.

Prior to Alabama, Haynes was one of the top names in the Crimson Tide’s 2023 recruiting class where the running back ranked as a five-star prospect out of Buford High School in Georgia.

As mentioned previously, with the commitment of Haynes to Michigan, the Crimson Tide’s entire group of players to enter the transfer portal so far this cycle have now made a decision as to where they will play in 2025.

The complete list of names and destinations can be found here.

Michigan football set to get a commitment from high-potential Alabama running back

This is BIG TIME! #GoBlue

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.

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.

Michigan football expected to land a top transfer portal player

Now THIS is big time! #GoBlue

Not many expected the Wolverines to have a slow go in the transfer portal after the Bryce Underwood recruitment. But, simultaneously, not many expected Michigan football to land some of the top talent in the country, either.

The maize and blue have a solid haul thus far with seven commitments from the portal (Indiana WR Donaven McCulley, Arkansas DBs TJ and Tevis Metcalf, Alabama DT Damon Payne, Cal Poly OT Brady Norton, Georgia LB Troy Bowles, and Fresno State QB Mikey Keene) but are looking to add a few more big-time players.

Atop the Wolverines’ list is Alabama running back Justice Haynes. Haynes is originally from powerhouse Buford (Ga.) and was thought by national analysts to be lock for either a top SEC school or perhaps Ohio State. However, he’s now deciding between Michigan and South Carolina and Michigan appears to have the edge with a new 247Sports Crystal Ball prediction as well as On3 predictions from Steve Wiltfong and Pete Nakos coming in favoring the Wolverines

Here is how he ranks in the transfer portal:

* Ovr Pos
247Sports 4 26 1
On3 4 21 1

Haynes was originally a five-star recruit according to the 247Sports Composite, ranked No. 29 overall and the third-best running back in the 2023 class. Regardless of where he ends up, he’ll have two years of eligibility remaining.

Haynes wasn’t utilized much in his freshman campaign but did have four carries in the Rose Bowl against Michigan last year for 31 yards. This season, he had 79 carries for 448 yards and seven touchdowns, to go along with 17 catches for 99 yards.

Michigan football in contention for Alabama RB Justice Haynes in transfer portal

Another rivalry showdown! #GoBlue

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 are seeking some outside help.

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. And, according to On3’s Pete Nakos, Michigan football and Ohio State are the two schools competing for his services.

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

And how he ranks in the transfer portal:

* Ovr Pos
247Sports 4 19 1
On3 4 14 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.

Alabama running back, former 5-star prospect enters NCAA transfer portal

The Alabama running back has entered the transfer portal.

One of the biggest names in the Alabama Crimson Tide’s running back room, Justice Haynes announced his intentions to enter the NCAA transfer portal on Friday afternoon.

A former five-star prospect, Haynes originally came to Alabama as a member of the Crimson Tide’s 2023 class out of Buford High School in Georgia.

At Alabama, Haynes saw a limited amount of action in 2023 as a freshman, rushing for 168 yards and two touchdowns on 25 attempts. Haynes however had a breakout season this fall where he rushed for 448 yards and seven touchdowns on 79 attempts, which translated to an average of 5.7 yards per carry, while also catching 17 passes for 99 yards.

Over his two seasons at Alabama, Haynes had a combined 104 carries for 616 yards and nine touchdowns. Haynes was also Alabama’s third-leading rusher this season, sitting behind only Jalen Milroe and Jam Miller.

With Haynes now entering the portal, the number of Alabama players set to transfer this offseason now sits at 12 total. Haynes is the first running back in that group.

WATCH: Justice Haynes’ monstrous touchdown run as Alabama routs Missouri

Justice Haynes went BEAST MODE in the fourth quarter of Alabama’s 34-0 shutout win over the Missouri Tigers Saturday.

The Alabama Crimson Tide were firing on all cylinders by the second half of their 34-0 Week 9 shutout victory over the Missouri Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium Saturday.

Alabama (6-2 overall, 3-2 SEC) started slow but finished the day strong, amassing 486 yards of total offense — over 300 of which came after halftime.

With the offense rolling after Jalen Milroe’s breathtaking touchdown run and Alabama having scored on four of its previous six possessions, the Tide gave Missouri (6-2, 2-2) a knockout punch early in the fourth quarter.

Justice Haynes reeled off a 35-yard touchdown run that showed why the talented sophomore was rated the No. 2 overall running back in the nation coming out of high school in the class of 2023.

With Alabama at the Missouri 35-yard line, Haynes took a handoff from center and lowered the boom on a Tigers defender before running by the rest of the Missouri defense for a touchdown run that put an exclamation point on a bounce-back victory for Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide.

Earlier in the half, Haynes had a 22-yard run for a first down to the Missouri 15-yard line. That led to an 11-yard Jam Miller touchdown run that put Alabama up 27-0.

Alabama has a bye next Saturday before heading to Baton Rouge to face the LSU Tigers in Week 11.