The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1534644
MAY 2025 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 21 to be able to stretch the field. But with Moore at the helm, the "smash" element of the offensive attack won't be ignored, much to Haynes' delight. "I love the way we run the ball, and it starts at the top, with Coach Moore," he said. "He preaches it all the time. We're going to be physical. That's what we're going to be about, and I'm all about that — that physicality, imposing your will. It's all about that mindset. I love that and the tra- dition Michigan has brought here. It's al- ways been like that. We're going to run the ball, and we pride ourselves on running the ball, and stopping the run on defense." Haynes stands convinced he'll be a good fit in Michigan's mix, given his bent for hard-edged play, discipline and ver- satility. "I just add an overall, complete running back," Haynes said. "Whatever they need me to do, I can do. Whether it's go out and run the ball, run past someone, run over someone, run around someone, run through someone, make someone miss, run routes and catch the ball. If we need someone to clear out the flat defender and take him so we can throw the ball to a re- ceiver, I can do that. If we need someone in pass protection to blow someone up, I can do whatever Coach needs me to do. I'm looking to help the team in any way I can." The new Wolverine keeps to a regi- mented schedule, seeking consistent times to fall asleep and wake up, get treat- ment for injuries, etc., noting: "I believe preparation is the key. I want to prepare like a pro and act like a pro in every aspect of my life, so that's what I'm going to do." That means Michigan's locker room routine came as neither a surprise nor a burden. "Just the way we compete, the way we hold each other accountable," Haynes mused. "The way we want to be better at everything. It's all about the details, the little things, from the way we keep our lockers perfectly. We have to have certain socks. The way we put up our shoes when we take off our shoes. Stuff like that, the little details — that's the stuff that wins you the national championship, and that's what we're doing around here." Make no mistake — that's why he's here. "Oh, 100 percent," he said. "My goal for this team is to win a national champion- ship — nothing less." ❏ A Handful Of Pairs That Constituted A Handful Michigan has featured some strong duos in its running backs room over the years. Here's a look at the top five combinations over the past 25 seasons, in terms of yards accumulated. 1. 2022 — Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards: Corum and Edwards teamed up to produce 2,454 rushing yards in the Big Ten championship season of 2022, the best the past quarter century had to offer at U-M. Corum led the way with 1,463 yards and Edwards added 991, coming the closest in that time span of featuring a pair of running backs with 1,000 yards each. Corum (18) and Edwards (7) also teamed up for 25 touchdowns for a squad that made the College Football Playoff. 2. 2021 — Hassan Haskins and Blake Corum: This tandem racked up a combined 2,279 rushing yards in Michigan's breakthrough season, featuring a Big Ten championship and the program's first College Football Playoff appearance. Haskins powered his way to 1,327 yards, while Corum surged for 952 in a breakout sophomore season. Haskins (20) and Corum (11) also put up 31 touchdowns for Jim Harbaugh's Wolverines. 3. 2000 — Anthony Thomas and Chris Perry: Thomas and Perry combined for 2,150 yards in the Big Ten championship campaign of 2000. Thomas broke out for 1,733 of them, with Perry recording 417. Thomas (18) and Perry (5) also scored a combined 23 touchdowns. 4. 2003 — Chris Perry and David Underwood: The senior Perry and sophomore Underwood managed 1,944 yards together, Perry dominating with 1,674 and Underwood chipping in 270. They scored 20 touchdowns together, with Perry powering his way to 18 of them. 5. 2007 — Mike Hart and Brandon Minor: Hart capped his sterling career with 1,361 yards in Lloyd Carr's final season at the helm, while Minor added 385, for a total of 1,746. Hart and Minor posted 15 touchdowns as well, with Hart accounting for 14 of those. — John Borton Blake Corum was part of the two most prolific U-M running back tandems in the last 25 years in 2021 and 2022. He ranks No. 7 on the school's all-time rushing list with 3,737 yards. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL