The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1536962
R U N N I N G B A C K S THE WOLVERINE 2025 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 53 have to step up in that No. 3 role, and right now, former walk-on and current junior Bryson Kuzdzal seems to be the favorite. He was impressive in the spring game, racking up 105 yards on 14 carries to lead all rush- ers, but there was a caveat, Jansen noted. "When you have a developing offensive line, unless you run the ball like those first two guys, it's really hard to tell who's good and who's not," he said. "There's a little drop-off there with Kuzdzal and [sopho- more] Micah Ka'apana." He was quick to add, though, that Kuz- dzal made the most of an opportunity. His teammates noticed, too. "[Kuzdzal] is a hard worker and a great kid," Haynes said. "A phenomenal team- mate. I love being around Kuz and the whole running back room. "Kuz is a real baller. He's a true dawg." He's "always been a beast," Marshall added. "It's just getting his mind there, and I think this spring, he's really flipped the Justice Haynes Is Ready To Impact Justice Haynes was considered a coup for Ala- bama when the Crimson Tide landed his com- mitment in 2023, a high four-star back according to On3.com, even a five-star by some recruiting services. The No. 2 player from the state of Geor- gia, son of former Bulldogs and NFL running back Verron Haynes, shocked some when he chose 'Bama over his dad's alma mater. But Haynes has always been a guy who follows his own path, as well as his beliefs. That's one of the reasons he chose to transfer to Michigan in the offseason after entering the portal Dec. 13, 2024. "I'm a big faith person," Haynes said this spring after arriving in Ann Arbor. "I felt like God was calling me in a different direction in my life, and so I'm just relying on his plan that he had for me. I'm thankful for my time at Alabama. It was an amazing two and a half years I had there, being coached by Coach [Nick] Saban, being coached by Coach [Kalen] DeBoer. Great people, great men. "But Michigan — I fell in love with the place. I knew [running backs coach Tony Alford] from when I was getting recruited by Ohio State. I came up here, and this is the place I knew I wanted to be as soon as I got here." Haynes shared time with Jamarion Miller at Alabama last year, carrying 79 times for 448 yards and 7 touchdowns. BamaOnline.com's Tim Watts said the writing appeared to be on the wall for a Haynes transfer when DeBoer brought his pass-heavy offense with him from Washington. "I don't think 'passed over' is the right word … I just don't think he was the feature back," Watts said. "He did fine when he played at 'Bama … it just never took off for him. "I think the change of scenery is good for him. It was time for a change, and he gave the new coaching staff a year. He's a talented guy, a super nice kid, and everyone liked him. It just ran its course, and Alabama is moving toward being more of a passing team, obviously." Ironically, one of Haynes' best games in an Alabama uniform came against his new team. He carried only 4 times but ran for 31 yards in a 27-20 Rose Bowl loss to the Wolverines, giving the Crimson Tide a spark on the ground against the best defense he faced that year. "He looked smooth, and that was a hell of a defense he kind of carved up," Watts noted. "He was patient, found the hole, accelerated, and got to where he needed to be. "He's not a banger … just a mover. He's smooth when he runs, always keeps his eyes up, looking for a hole to slide through. He's not trying to run through people." That makes him a nice change of pace from sophomore Jordan Marshall, whose ability to break tackles and gain the tough yardage is a trademark. Between the two, the Michigan backfield should be in really good shape. "I've never heard a bad word about him," Watts said of Haynes. "He was a heck of a teammate and a really good kid, and he should do well at Michigan." — Chris Balas STARTER ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Call sophomore Jordan Marshall the starter here and 1A on the depth chart, but junior transfer Justice Haynes is 1B. The two have developed a great relationship and bring plenty to the room in terms of durability and explosiveness. It seems the Wolverines could win with either carrying the ball, but we ex- pect the load will be split similarly between them with Marshall getting the majority of the carries early. DEPTH ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ½ Only one back at a time gets carries, so this grade is bolstered by No. 2, whoever that may be between Marshall and Haynes. Both should get their share of carries, and who gets more in any game could decide on the hot hand that day. But the absence of a true No. 3 keeps this room from being complete. Junior Bryson Kuzdzal and sophomore Micah Ka'apana have potential, and Kuzdzal had a great spring game, but it's different when you're doing it on Saturdays in the fall. OVERALL ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The top two should provide as good a 1-2 punch as there is in the Big Ten, and two healthy backs is usually good enough to get through the season (knock on wood). The problem comes if one of them goes down. Then, who gets the carries … and will it be good enough in conference play? This is a top-heavy group. PRESEASON ANALYSIS Justice Haynes was one of the top players in the transfer portal, having rushed for 448 yards and 7 touchdowns as a sophomore at Alabama in 2024. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL ❱ ❱ X-FACTOR X-FACTOR After Jordan Marshall and Justice Haynes, U-M will have a wide-ranging competition for the RB3 designation. Assuming all goes according to plan at the top of the pecking order, there might not be a ton of carries available in consequential game situations. Sophomore MICAH KA'APANA will be in the thick of the race throughout fall camp. If Haynes and Mar- shall are the one-two punch, he has a chance to be a third-down back who also provides some versatility and kick/punt return value.