The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1546004
2025-26 YEAR IN REVIEW BREAKOUT PERFORMANCES OF THE YEAR MALE SPORT BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR JUSTICE HAYNES VS. NEW MEXICO, FOOTBALL Michigan coaches entered the season la- beling junior Justice Haynes and sophomore Jordan Marshall as "1A and 1B" on the run- ning back depth chart, but it became clear — quickly — that Haynes had the edge in Sep- tember. The 5-foot-11, 210-pound Alpharetta, Ga., native exploded for 159 yards and 3 touch- downs in a 34-17 season-opening win over New Mexico. He didn't just burst onto the scene as the Wolverines' best individual player, but also became an early Heisman Trophy can- didate. Haynes' debut at The Big House was high- lighted by his long runs, which became a staple throughout the season (when he was healthy). Haynes ripped off a 56-yard touchdown run on the first drive and dashed 59 yards to set up another score later on. The performance set the tone for the rest of the season. While his year ended with a foot injury suffered in October that required surgery, his 122.4 rushing yards per game would've led the Big Ten if he had qualified by playing in 75 percent of his team's games. Justice Haynes had a breakout game for Michigan with 159 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns in its 2025 season-opening 34-17 win over New Mexico. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL Earning honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition, Mila Holloway averaged 12.3 points, 4.8 assists and 4.1 rebounds per contest for the 2025-26 season. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY FEMALE SPORT BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR MILA HOLLOWAY VS. CANISIUS, BASKETBALL Mila Holloway posted 21 points, 5 re- bounds, 8 assists and 7 steals — an all- around gem of a game — in a 100-40 blow- out win over Canisius in the season opener. Holloway was on fire from the field, shoot- ing 8-of-10 for the game, including 8-of-9 from inside the three-point arc. Earning honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition, the Charlotte, N.C., native averaged 12.3 points, 4.8 assists and 4.1 rebounds per contest on the season, and showed the ability to take over games. Not only did she score 21 points in the opener, but she also broke that career high with 26 in a spectacular performance during a 94-91 overtime win over Michigan State in East Lansing Feb. 1. She put up 18 points in the 86-65 trouncing of the Spartans later that month, too. AUGUST 2026 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 37