The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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10 THE WOLVERINE ❱ JUNE/JULY 2025 ❱ INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS Transfer running back Justice Haynes comes from Alabama to Michigan, one blue blood pro- gram to another, with high hopes. He talks about his spring experience and more in this Q&A. The Wolverine: You came from a crowded backfield at Alabama but will still compete with [sophomore] Jordan Marshall for playing time. Your thoughts on the competition? Justice Haynes "That's always a great thing. There's only so much tread on the tires and shelf life you have as a running back. To be able to have other guys in the room is also great. They're also just competing. "Iron sharpens iron. We talk about it every day. We want to be the best group in America. The only way we can do that is sharpening each other every day." The Wolverine: Your dad [Verron Haynes] played at Georgia and in the NFL. How much do you lean on him? Haynes: "It's everything … more than just foot- ball. That's my dawg, my ride or die. He just in- stilled hard work in me from an early age, telling me he can't want it for me more than I want it for myself. … He showed me the way. "Every day we talk after every practice. Before every game, we talk and pray. He gives me tips and reminders for that game, gets me in that mindset. That's my dawg." The Wolverine: You might have a freshman [Bryce Underwood] playing quarterback for you. What was that dynamic like this spring? Haynes: "I feel like it's just about being there for him. If he has a question he might not have an- swered yet, because I've been in college going on my third year now I can help him in that aspect of it. But I also tell him all the time, at the end of the day, it's just football. This game is so small in the big scheme of things. It's just football. You've just got to go out and have fun like you're 8 years old in the backyard. "He's a tremendous leader, a guy that came in and works hard and does everything he needs to do. He's a guy that's willing to take coaching, and if he continues to keep improving, he's going to be a really, really good player." The Wolverine: What are your overall thoughts on what you saw from the offense this spring? Haynes: "We're going to be explosive in all as- pects … running, passing. We want to be even more explosive when blocking, combination blocks. When the ball is in the air, go get the ball. When you run it, be physical, make a play. … We talk about it all the time." The Wolverine: Do you have an individual goal this fall when you wear the winged helmet for the first time? Haynes: "I hope to help the team any way I can. Be a complete back … be a leader to this team and show what I'm capable of doing. Being explosive, dominating when I get the chance." — Chris Balas ❱ Sitting Down With Michigan Junior Running Back Justice Haynes Haynes, who is expected to share the load with Jordan Marshall in the backfield, believes that the U-M offense will be "explosive in all aspects" this fall. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL Head coach Jim Harbaugh produced 66 NFL Draft picks in nine years from 2016-24, and Michigan was around that 7.3 per year average following its first season under head coach Sher- rone Moore. The Wolverines had seven selections in 2025 — in- cluding three first-rounders in defensive tackle Mason Graham (No. 5 to the Cleveland Browns), tight end Colston Loveland (No. 10 to the Chicago Bears) and defensive tackle Kenneth Grant (No. 13 to the Miami Dolphins). Harbaugh never had three first-rounders in a draft, and this was only the third time in program history that such a feat has been ac- complished (2001 and 1995 were the others). There were only two first-round picks from 2009-15 (offensive line- man Taylor Lewan in 2014 and defensive end Brandon Graham in 2010) but have been 13 in the last 10 years. The Wolverines saw cor- nerback Will Johnson come off the board in the second round (No. 47 to the Arizona Cardinals), and edge Josaiah Stewart get taken in the third (No. 90 by the Los Angeles Rams), before two sixth-round choices — running back Kalel Mullings (No. 188 to the Tennessee Titans) and offensive lineman Myles Hinton (No. 191 to the Philadelphia Eagles) rounded out the final day. That brings Michigan's total up to 73 draft picks since 2016, after the Wolverines had only 18 in the seven years prior. D u r i n g t h e s t re tc h f ro m 2016-25, the Maize and Blue have had at least one player selected at every position, including long snapper. Of- fensive line has led the way with 14 selections, followed by edge rusher (12), corner- back (7), wide receiver (7), linebacker (7) and defensive tackle (7). Keeping pace with what Harbaugh accomplished in the draft during his nine-year run will be a challenge for Moore, but he set himself up nicely in his first go around. — Clayton Sayfie MICHIGAN IN GOLDEN ERA OF NFL DRAFT SUCCESS Year Draftees First-Round Picks 2025 7 3 2024 13 1 2023 9 1 2022 5 2 2021 8 1 2020 10 1 2019 5 2 2018 2 0 2017 11 2 2016 3 0 Position Draftees Quarterback 2 Running back 4 Fullback 1 Tight end 5 Wide receiver 7 Offensive line 14 Defensive tackle 7 Edge 12 Linebacker 7 Cornerback 7 Safety 4 Kicker 1 Punter 1 Long snapper 1 MICHIGAN'S DRAFT PICKS BY YEAR AND POSITION DURING THE HARBAUGH AND MOORE ERAS