Justice Haynes’ journey was never supposed to be this complicated. A solid player under Nick Saban‘s last year in the trenches and then translated quite freaking well when Kalen DeBoer took over the reins back in 2024….. Then the “divorce” happened. The former Tide rolled out of Tuscaloosa and landed straight in Ann Arbor, adding a spark to a Michigan offense that desperately needed it. And well, since then, Justice Haynes has been gashing defenses, piling yards, and proving in real time that his decision to leave wasn’t retreat—it was strategy.

But today, while on a talk with Infinity Sports Network and looking back at his old coach, the Wolverines RB got nothing but respect in his tone. “Um, I think you know Coach DeBoer is being a great human. Great person, uh, very great Coach. Very skillful in coaching. I think he is a great offensive mind. Um, and I think they’re going to be very successful,” Haynes confessed. Somewhere, in the hearts of Tide fans, this confession hits deep. Think of it in this way: the once great Bama RB room, which overflowed with blue-chip depth, has thinned dramatically. Haynes was a crucial part of that puzzle, but after he left, well, DeBoer and Co. have felt the pressure.

More so because “the guy” (aka Jam Miller) who was supposed to fill in the void left by Haynes was out on a collarbone injury. This subtle remark from Haynes could be taken as a nod to Coach DeBoer and his coaching ability to work with a team that has lost a number of solid players.

Regardless of what happens, we do know that DeBoer is in a much better spot for the upcoming Georgia game. With Miller coming back and Tim Keenan making his debut as well (after recovering from his lower-body injury), the Bama offense and defense are going to look stacked as hell.

But then again, will it be enough to help Bama win against Michigan (if both the teams crack the playoff narrative and land against each other)? Because at the end of the day, Haynes won’t make it easy for Coach DeBoer just because he was an Alabama transfer.

Justice Haynes is on a roll

“His decision to leave wasn’t retreat—it was strategy.” Now we stand by this with all our hearts, and we think Michigan fans would agree as well. In the games Haynes managed to play for Bama back in 2024, he racked up around 448 yards with 7 touchdowns. Now, how much do you think he racked up playing for Michigan in just 4 games?

537 yards. 8.1 avg. 66 carries. 6 touchdowns. 

That’s how explosive #22 has been for Sherrone Moore and Co. We understand that the OU loss feels like a bad stain on the resume, but there is always a bright side. For Haynes, it’s the fact that Michigan has a baller at QB (Bryce Underwood) and Chip Lindsey’s offense is all set to push the UM to Natty narrative.

If, by god’s grace, UM and Bama find each other on the natty run, it is going to be one heck of a game. Both for Haynes and for DeBoer.