The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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R U N N I N G B A C K S 52 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2024 FOOTBALL PREVIEW BY JOHN BORTON D onovan Edwards hasn't exactly been anonymous the past couple of sea- sons. The senior running back blazed into Michigan-Ohio State lore two years ago and lit up Washington in the national championship game last January. For the first time ever, though, he's at the top of the Wolverines' running backs depth chart. That's a big deal around Ann Arbor. For Tony Alford, new Michigan running backs coach transplanted from The Horseshoe to The Big House in the offseason, it's a deal he relishes — while absorbing some good- natured ribbing. "It comes up every day!" Alford ac- knowledged with a laugh, when asked if he hears about Edwards' 216 yards and 2 touchdown runs against Ohio State in Columbus in 2022, along with Michi- gan's recent dominance over the Buck- eyes. "He's quick to tell me pretty much on a daily basis. 'Coach, I've never lost to you,' and I'm like yeah, I got it, on to the next. "He's a great kid. I've known him and his dad through recruiting him. Much respect to him. He's had a nice career up to this point, and hopefully we can continue that on his last season here. "He's been a joy to be around and work with. We've always got along, and it's good to have him." Alford, offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell and head coach Sherrone Moore would like to have more than the blaz- ing highlights — the 75- and 85- yard contrails in Columbus, or the 41- and 46-yard TD bolts to stake Michigan to a 14-3 lead in the national champi- onship game. The Wol- verines kept rolling against Washington, 34-13, completing their 15-0 mission, and Edwards supplied his special brand of rocket fuel to the title contest. Yet months earlier, some were wonder- ing if he could grow into an every-down back, rather than an occasional stick of dynamite to blow up the opposition. Edwards didn't rush for more than 50 yards last season until the Wolverines ventured to Penn State on Nov. 11, and he didn't hit the century mark until he earned 104 yards on the strength of the two big bolts in the national championship game. For the year, Edwards rushed for 497 yards and 5 touchdowns on a run-heavy squad, while Blake Corum piled up 1,245 yards and 27 TDs. Edwards heard about it — over and over again, in various media. He brushed it off and just kept focused on the task at hand. He's now a veteran leader in the running backs room, with a voice he's not afraid to use. QUICK FACTS Position Coach: Tony Alford (1st year) Returning Starters: None Departing Starter: Blake Corum (28 career starts) Projected New Starter: Donovan Edwards (4 career starts) Top Reserves: Kalel Mullings, Jordan Marshall, Benjamin Hall, Tavierre Dunlap, Cole Cabana Wait Until 2025: Micah Ka'apana Newcomers: Ka'apana, Marshall Rookie Impact: Marshall Most Improved Player: Mullings Best Pro Prospect: Edwards Edwards, who has shown flashes of brilliance in his first three seasons, enters the 2024 cam- paign as U-M's starting running back for the first time in his career. PHOTO BY MICHAEL MILLER [FYI] ❱ Michigan was 32-0 from 2021-23 when Blake Corum scored at least 1 rushing touchdown. Corum fin- ished his four-year career with a program-record 58 career rushing touchdowns. He also stands first in single-season total touchdowns (28 in 2023) and seventh with 3,737 career rushing yards. ❱ Senior Donovan Edwards has rushed for 1,662 yards and 15 touchdowns in his first three seasons at Michigan. He also has 68 career receptions for 714 yards and 3 TDs. ❱ Graduate Kalel Mullings averaged 4.14 yards after contact per rush in 2023, ranking second in the Big Ten and 27th in the nation among those with 35-plus carries, according to Pro Football Focus. That mark was significantly ahead of Edwards (2.67), sophomore Benjamin Hall (2.47) and Corum (2.42). Mullings also excelled in short-yardage situations — picking up first downs on 17 of his 36 carries last season. ❱ Freshman Jordan Marshall was the No. 87 overall recruit in the 2024 class, making him U-M's highest- rated running back signee since Edwards checked in at No. 34 in 2021. ❱ Michigan has played eight games against ranked opponents over the last two seasons. In those tilts, Edwards averaged 8.1 yards per carry with 7 touchdowns, including 5 scores on runs of 40-plus yards. THE DON GETS HIS DAY Donovan Edwards Leads A Hungry Pack Of Backs