What the Michigan football head coach thinks of his two 2021 running back signees.
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With two defensive commits flipping to other schools early Wednesday, Michigan football started to be something of a punchline on social media. But one huge win on the recruiting trail stopped any mockery dead in its tracks.
The Wolverines won the battle for West Bloomfield (MI) four-star running back Donovan Edwards, a player who could have gone to any program in the nation. In his recruitment, he had coaches like Alabama‘s Nick Saban and Ohio State‘s Ryan Day in his school, begging him to be a part of their programs. He was a big priority for Georgia, and for a time, it looked like the Bulldogs were going to win that battle.
But, ultimately, the No. 29 player in the nation, regardless of position, per 247Sports, chose to stay home and play for the hometown Wolverines.
Now that Edwards is signed, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh can talk about the pursuit, what he likes about him and why he’s a good fit for the program. He shared more with Jon Jansen on the ‘In the Trenches’ podcast.
“Donovan Edwards – started recruiting Donovan – first met him as a sophomore over at West Bloom,” Harbaugh said. “He had broken his ankle that year. But Ron Bellamy his coach (said), ‘This is a guy right here, he’s a great player.’ One word to sum him up would be ‘competitor.’ Love that about him. And really everyone that Ron Bellamy coaches. That’s a stamp I would put on them – they’re great competitors. He does a fantastic job.
“Love Donovan. There’s a guy that’s a real go-getter and leader. Tremendous football player.”
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While Harbaugh really drove home how much he loves Edwards’ competitive nature, he also came armed with facts about his prowess on the field.
What’s more, Harbaugh is a big fan of what Edwards does in training, setting an example for all of the players around him. (Having been to both a West Bloomfield training session as well as a practice, we can attest that Edwards is the foremost example-setter, with Michigan target Dillon Tatum snipping at his heels on that front.)
Harbaugh says that he knows he has something of a bonafide leader in Edwards, a player who’s going to push those around him to be better, by virtue of his own sheer work ethic.
“We talk about rushing yards, he’s over a thousand yards rushing, 17 touchdowns,” Harbaugh said. “I think he had a game where he scored like six touchdowns before the half, at some point. Comes from a highly successful program. They were district champions before their season was suspended. But that kind of real mentality about Donovan – he’s a worker. He just wants to get in the weight room, wants to train, wants to run, wants to practice. An example, a real example. You and I both played and have been around guys that are like that. If there’s somebody sitting on the fence, all they’ve gotta do is watch Donovan Edwards and look at him and how he’s attacking it and approaching things.”
But Edwards isn’t the only running back signee in Michigan football’s 2021 class. The Wolverines also signed Del Valle (TX) four-star Tavierre Dunlap, who will look to serve as a solid counterpart to his new tailback compatriot.
Harbaugh noted Dunlap’s level of competition in high school as a big feature, as well as the production he accumulated in a nine-game season this year.
“This is another very competitive, explosive running back,” “Really, really athletic. Very much like – reminds me of Hassan Haskins. Tough, tough type of runner. But also has the breakaway type of speed. He was a top 15 type of running back in the country, if you go by the ratings. Another really good state for football, in Texas. Well-documented.
“Tavierre also, as a senior, rushed for 100-plus yards in eight of his nine games, had 128 carries for 1,328 yards. The thing that pops there the most is a 10.3-yard average. He also scored 20 touchdowns as a junior. And he can catch the ball, as well. Had over 20 receptions for over 200 yards and had 3 TDs catching the ball his junior year. Just an outstanding football player and a really good student.
“These are two tremendous running backs for our program.”
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