The maize and blue faithful got an intriguing offseason boost when former five-star Alabama transfer Justice Haynes announced his commitment to Michigan. After spending two years buried in a backfield rotation in Tuscaloosa, Haynes heads north in search of a larger role and a platform to finally show the full scope of his game. At 210 pounds, he brings a mix of size, vision, and top-end athleticism that could be the perfect fit for a Michigan offense undergoing a retool after losing 20 players to the NFL over the past two drafts. And while the expectations are starting to build quietly in Ann Arbor, make no mistake—inside Schembechler Hall, they’re placing major hopes on a breakout season from Haynes.

The buzz isn’t just internal, either. Pro Football Focus recently included Justice Haynes on a short list of ten “wild cards” who could see their draft stock skyrocket ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. Their evaluation painted a clear picture of the kind of ceiling Michigan fans hope to see this fall. As PFF wrote: “Haynes was stuck in a committee backfield at Alabama during his first two years of college football but now projects as the bellcow back after transferring to Michigan. The No. 2 running back recruit in the 2023 class was very impressive on his 106 career carries with the Crimson Tide, posting an 84.7 rushing grade while averaging 3.4 yards after contact per attempt. He’s a one-cut runner who shows good vision and nice contact balance, he just needs to extend the flashes across an entire season with the Wolverines.”

That assessment sparked discussion from Michigan insiders, including Locked On Wolverines host Isaiah Hole, who had a more nuanced take. “So, if that’s exactly true, what they said, it’s a good compliment to Jordan Marshall, who showed that he is more than a one-cut guy, right, against Alabama, against Haynes’s former team,” Hole said.

“Haynes—I kind of disagree that he’s just a one-cut guy, but I do think that that is primarily where he succeeds at this point, having seen what I’ve seen. But I think he does more than just that. He does more than just make that one cut and can make people miss.” That blend of inside bursts and lateral creativity is part of what makes Haynes such a compelling watch. And when paired with Marshall, who brings a more shifty, multi-directional style, Michigan’s backfield could quietly evolve into one of the most dynamic in the Big Ten.

But what really stood out in Hole’s commentary was his emphasis on toughness—a non-negotiable in U-Mich’s smashmouth identity. “The 3.4 yards after contact is huge. That shows that he’s more than that. But I don’t want to impugn him in that light either, right?” Hole said. For a team rebuilding after losing Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards to the pros, that kind of toughness right up the middle, especially on those early downs, could be exactly what Sherrone Moore needs in his first full year as head coach. As Holes put it, “I don’t know that Haynes has the same speed as Edwards, but he is certainly a bigger body that can do a lot more damage.”

Justice Haynes gave fans a taste of his upside in April’s spring game, his first live action in a Michigan uniform. He logged six carries for 51 yards, highlighted by a 26-yard burst where he planted, cut, and turned on the jets—the kind of run that showcases vision, acceleration, and a feel for flow. And it’s worth noting: if that had been against a real opponent instead of an intersquad scrimmage, he might’ve taken it to the house. That single play turned. The gearshift was clear. Haynes didn’t come to Ann Arbor to be RB2.

The pressure is mounting—not because he’s been bad, but because the ceiling is that high. With their 2023 national title in the rearview mirror and a bit of a rebuild underway, Michigan is quietly banking on Haynes to keep their powerful, ground-and-pound identity rolling. With 13 players drafted in 2024 and another seven this past spring, production gaps are everywhere, and few are more critical than at tailback.

Justice Haynes is on the hunt and ready to eat

ESPN recently dropped its list of top transfer portal players for 2025, and guess who cracked the Top 40? Former five-star stud Justice Haynes is now officially ranked No. 37 overall by the worldwide leader. Michigan fans, get excited—because this guy’s ready to roll.

In the words of ESPN’s scouting team, “Haynes has been productive at Bama, but not in a featured role. He has all the traits of an every-down back: a strong, balanced runner with productive yards after contact.” Basically, he’s a tank with wheels. The breakdown continues: “He runs with a lower center of gravity and will absorb the first hit and run through arm tackles. Haynes has good vision and quick-cutting burst to daylight, but he’s not super elusive or a home run threat in the open field.” Translation? He may not juke you out of your shoes, but good luck bringing him down.

He’s also got soft hands and enough pass-blocking grit to stay on the field in any situation. ESPN’s Tucker added, “He was a successful lead back in high school and certainly can produce in a similar role if he finds the right opportunity.”

Well, that opportunity might be wearing maize and blue. Pairing Haynes with rising star Jordan Marshall (who torched Bama for 100 yards in the bowl game)? That’s a one-two punch Wolverines fans should be very excited about.