Donovan Edwards breaks down best qualities in Michigan running back competition

If Michigan hopes to repeat as national champions one thing it’ll have to do is ease in a new starting quarterback. But there’s a luxury: running back Donovan Edwards is back to help pace things in the backfield.

Edwards, though, is pretty convinced there’s a lot more to the position for the Wolverines than just him.

“For me the way I look at the running back position, it’s an open competition,” Edwards said. “I don’t look at myself as being a No. 1 guy. I look at it as we’re competing every single day, like who’s going to win the job?”

For all intents and purposes, though, Donovan Edwards will be the No. 1 guy. He’s a monster, too.

He has racked up 1,662 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns over the last three seasons, while also recording 68 catches for 714 yards and three scores through the air.

But his biggest contributions might come via his work ethic and willingness to push his teammates.

“I’ve told my guys I’m going to out-compete you guys, I’m going to out-work you guys,” Donovan Edwards said. “I’m going to show Tony Alford why I deserve to be No. 1. And with the same process, the guys, they’re coming for the spot.

“Ultimately I’m grateful for them. I’m grateful for that running back room, because ultimately each one of those guys could be the No. 1 running back. And every single day we’re competing to get better and we’re pushing each other and we’re thriving to help this team win.”

So what does Donovan Edwards hope to accomplish this fall? What is his goal as a player for the team?

“I’m going to be more of a humble guy,” he said. “Still be confident, because that’s who I am. I’m never going to change that. I’m going to be humble, confident and also I’m going to motivate my teammates the best I can. With the help of these guys and a couple more of our teammates, it’s easy because I’m not one person saying everything.

“These guys are relaying a message that I have said, coach Moore has said, our head strength and conditioning coach Justin Tress has said. … That’s why this team thrives and that’s why we’re so talented and we’re so good, because we all have a common bond and that’s the brotherhood and that’s winning football games.”