The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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24 THE WOLVERINE ❱ OCTOBER 2025 BY CHRIS BALAS U ntil Sept. 13, 2025, the list of Michigan running backs who began their careers as full- time starters with three con- secutive 100-yard rushing games read like this: Tyrone Wheatley, 1992. That's it. That's the list. In U-M's long and storied history of outstanding backs and running games, Wheatley was the only one … until Justice Haynes joined him in the record books with his incredible start after transferring from Alabama. When the junior ran for 159 yards in the opener, a win over New Mexico, it was a new program high (since at least 1970, as far back as the Michigan athlet- ics department could check) for running backs making their Michigan debut. He then rushed for 125 in a loss at Oklahoma and 104 in a victory over Central Michi- gan Sept. 13, giving him 388 yards with 5 scores and a whopping 7.9 yards per carry average. OFF AND RUNNING Running Back Justice Haynes Enters Michigan's Record Book With His Fast Start Haynes' explosiveness has been on full display this year. He reeled off matching 75-yard touchdown runs at Oklahoma and Nebraska, along with a 56-yard TD and a 59-yard dash against New Mexico. He also had a 70-yard TD called back for a holding penalty in Week 3 against Central Michigan. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL