‘Enough is enough’ could be the rallying cry for Michigan fans. The 2024 season certainly brought them some of the toughest moments in recent memory, from Jim Harbaugh’s departure to the College Football Playoffs slipping from Sherrone Moore’s grasp. They’ve been through a lot. However, Moore has made significant efforts to win back the fans’ favor. For example, he successfully recruited the No. 1 quarterback prospect, Bryce Underwood, giving the fans something to cheer about. Despite this, there are still some areas within the Wolverines squad that need fixing. That’s where junior Alabama transfer Justice Haynes enters the spotlight, emerging as a potential solution, with a national reporter outlining a path forward for him.
Well, we all know how the Michigan football offense had caught some bad juju. The Wolverines had the 131st-ranked passing offense and the 113th-ranked scoring offense. The running backs—led by Donovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings—came up with a combined 313 rushes for 1,537 yards and 16 touchdowns. Now that both of them are off to the NFL, the ceiling is high. The RB room is loaded up with the trio, Haynes, redshirt sophomore Jordan Marshall, and sophomore Benjamin Hall. Haynes ran 79 times for 448 yards (5.7 yards per carry) and seven touchdowns last season at Alabama. Although the Wolverines did not see any action from Haynes during the ReliaQuest Bowl, he did suit up against the Wolverines on the first day of 2024. Now that he has stepped into Ann Arbor, a question has started to do rounds.
On the March 31st episode of the 247Sports podcast, analyst Emily Proud addressed the looming concern. A fan pointed out, “Can Justice Haynes truly be RB1 for the future National Champion Michigan Wolverines?” That’s when co-host Cooper Petagna sounded all confident. “I sure hope so. That’s why they brought him over there. This is a guy when he came out was one of the most talented running backs in the country. To me personally had sky-high expectations for him in his first two years in college football. He has not met those that being said. I am not disappointed…but this is a guy I think can reach another level, especially in Ann Arbor, the way they kind of go about their business philosophically.” A sophomore, Haynes has spent each of the past two seasons in Tuscaloosa as a member of Alabama’s running back room.
However, he did falter on multiple occasions. After a 13-carry Week 2 performance against South Florida, Haynes did not have more than eight carries in a game in 2024. Well, it’s true that Underwood gets all the attention in Ann Arbor. Petagna gives a big thumbs up for the running back. “They are gonna rely a lot on that run game, on that offensive line as well.”
After all, Moore’s program had a hard time with the WR room. As Pategna stated, “In terms of the talent at receivers, it’s average at best.” After their face-off against Texas, the wide receiver room’s shortcomings became clear. Unable to consistently gain separation or execute their routes effectively, the Wolverines’ receivers struggled significantly. The offense came up with only nine receptions on 16 attempts in the opening three quarters.
Finally, Haynes got to hold the reins after looking for more opportunities and not being willing to live under the shadows. So what are the wise words of advice that Pategna gave? “I think everything he wished for when he left Alabama, he is getting now at Michigan, but he has got to carry the load.” After all, the RB knows why he signed up with the Wolverines.
Justice Haynes blesses Sherrone Moore’s program with a regimented approach
Haynes’ flip came off as a shock to many. After all, the 2025 season could have been the breakout year for Haynes, given that dual-threat quarterback Jalen Milroe graduated. But the running back could not fight the urge to hit the ‘FLIP’ button. One day, while praying, he felt like a change was coming. Looking at Ann Arbor, Haynes instantly knew that Michigan was the next home.
“I’m a big faith person. 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.” It’s not that he is not grateful for his Tuscaloosa chapter. However, there was a feel-good factor in Sherrone Moore’s squad.
“But Michigan, you know, it just–I fell in love with the place. I knew (running backs coach Tony Alford) from when I was getting recruited from Ohio State. I came up here, and this is the place I knew I wanted to be as soon as I got here.” There is another big factor behind Haynes’ choice. Along with running back coach Tony Alford, the RB connecting with second-year running back Jordan Marshall was also a factor. Now, this has been a steal deal for Sherrone Moore.
The RB is bringing with him both routine and experience that he gained in Tuscaloosa. Justice Haynes once shared, “I’m very regimented. I have a set routine that I follow each and every day. I got (in) my little notes app that I want to go to bed at this time. I want to wake up at this time. I want to do this, this, this on this day, certain treatments I want to get done on that day. How I want to go about my business. I believe preparation is very key. You want to prepare like a pro. I want to act like a pro in every aspect of my life.” For this, he follows the “one-ingredient” diet, the reason why Haynes “looks like a statue.” With a determined talent like Justice Haynes, Sherrone Moore’s gamble is a sure bet.
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