The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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44 THE WOLVERINE MAY 2021 M ichigan has two running backs on the roster that have pro- duced in college. Redshirt sopho- more Hassan Haskins is the most proven out of the bunch, having led the squad in rushing last season with 375 yards and six touchdowns on 61 carries. Meanwhile, freshman Blake Corum was able to make an impact in his first season, carrying 26 times for 77 yards and two touchdowns while also catching five passes for 73 yards on the year. Michigan lost sophomore Zach Charbonnet (transfer to UCLA) this offseason, meaning there's room for another back to emerge and see some playing time. It appears — at least so far this spring — that freshman Don- ovan Edwards is the guy most likely to find his way into the rotation. Edwards, from West Bloomfield (Mich.) High, was a high four-star recruit and Rivals.com's No. 58 over- all player in the class of 2021 that led the Lakers to the 2020 Division 1 state championship. He enrolled early at Michigan in January and has impressed ever since, with the learn- ing curve apparently not being as steep for him as it is for some other freshmen. "Donovan came in right away and he got used to the game," Corum said in a Zoom session with local reporters April 1. "Obviously, col- lege ball is a little faster than high school ball, but I see him coming in every day, working really hard, get- ting used to all the plays and stuff, and I feel like he's definitely going to be a really good player. I like what I see from him so far." Those that will be blocking for Ed- wards and Co. are pleased with what they've seen from the group so far, too. "We've got a great running back room, arguably one of best running back groups in the country," fresh- man offensive guard Zak Zinter, who started four games last fall, said. "Donovan, he's an amazing player, going to have a very bright future ahead. Hassan, Blake, Donovan … it's pretty incredible the amount of talent we have in the running back room right now." Even players on the defensive side of the ball are taking notice of what Edwards has done to emerge among the top group of ball carriers right away. "Speed. Speed. Speed. Speed," said a smiling redshirt junior linebacker Josh Ross when asked about his first impressions of Edwards. "That dude flies and is so fast. He's still learning and getting better, but he can defi- nitely fly." A former early enrollee himself who was then able to parlay that ac- celerated timeline into early play- ing time as a freshman, Corum was asked what advice he would give Edwards at this point in his career. "I would just say, be yourself," Co- rum noted. "You know what type of player you are, and just do you — go in there with confidence, don't think too much and just be a baller." Corum added that offensive co- ordinator Josh Gattis finds ways to get young but talented players on the field, even if it's in a limited role before they learn all the intricacies of the offense. "I feel like this type of offense that Coach Gattis has put in definitely allows freshmen to get into games," Corum said. "They can ball because the way I look at it is if you can ball, you can ball … as long as you know your plays and you can ball, then you'll get in the game." For now, it appears that Edwards is ready to play in the fall and that there will be a role for him. — Clayton Sayfie U-M COMPLETES ITS 2025 SCHEDULE BY ADDING TWO NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS Michigan added two games to its 2025 non-conference schedule April 7, putting the finishing touches on that year's entire slate. The Maize and Blue announced they will host New Mexico in the '25 season opener Aug. 30 and then square off with Central Michigan Sept. 13 at The Big House. A Sept. 6 showdown at Oklahoma will also take place, though that tilt had al- ready been scheduled. The 2025 opener will be the first- ever meeting between Michigan and New Mexico. The Lobos will become the seventh different Mountain West Conference team to match up against the Wolverines, with the Maize and Blue owning an 11-3 all-time record against the league. U-M's Sept. 13 contest against the Chippewas, meanwhile, will be just the fifth-ever meeting between the two in-state schools. Michigan won the previous four clashes, including the most recent one — a 59-9 blowout in the 2013 season opener. All four previous meetings were held at Michigan Stadium, with the Wolverines having outscored the Chippewas by a 199-33 margin. U-M has one remaining non-con- ference opening on the 2024 slate (in addition to versus Fresno State Aug. 31 and at Texas Sept. 7), but other- wise has its schedules set through the 2025 campaign. — Austin Fox MICHIGAN FOOTBALL Donovan Edwards Turning Heads In Spring Ball Edwards, Rivals.com's No. 58 overall player in the class of 2021, enrolled early and has impressed his teammates during spring practice. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN FOOTBALL