Hassan Haskins reflects on how Michigan prepared him for the NFL

Michigan running back Hassan Haskins enters the 2022 NFL Combine looking to cement himself as one of the most complete running back prospects in the draft class. With the eyes of the NFL world upon him, he is hoping to prove he belongs with everyone else.

“I’ve got everything in the toolbag. I like being the hammer, not the nail. I like to run through people,” he said.

Haskins, an alternate captain in 2021, ran for 1,327 yards and 20 touchdowns during his senior season in Ann Arbor, headlined by a 169-yard, five-touchdown performance against the Ohio State Buckeyes. He also added first-team All-Big Ten honors and was an All-American selection of both the AFCA and Associated Press. Most draft outlets have him topping out as a mid-round prospect that could sneak into the later stages of the third round.

RELATED: WATCH: Michigan RB Hassan Haskins speaks from 2022 NFL Combine

Sharing is caring for Haskins

He spent much of the year splitting reps with Blake Corum in the Michigan backfield and had no issues with that setup. Haskins likely profiles to sharing carries in the NFL, which is a dynamic that he has no issues with after his time at Michigan.

“It was smooth,” he said. “We complemented each other. I cheered him on, he cheered me on. It was never a selfish thing between us. It was pretty good and exciting to see.”

“Everybody has got to eat, so I can definitely see that [carrying over].

This will be an important week for the former Wolverine after missing the Senior Bowl to rehab a high ankle sprain he suffered in the loss to Georgia in the Orange Bowl. He is ready to compete with his peers but admitted he was not sure if he would go through all the drills in Indianapolis.

“I want to prove to everybody that I can be that back in the NFL and that I can play,” he said. “It’s big goals this week, but we are going to see.”

Reflecting on Michigan’s 2021 season

Haskins was a key cog on a team that achieved some lofty goals. The Wolverines won 11 regular-season games, headlined by their first victory over Ohio State in 10 years. They would go on to win a Big Ten Championship and make the College Football Playoff.

It came and went quickly for Haskins, but he reflected on the last year in a city he helped his teammates make history in back in December.

“It’s been a flash, but it has also been a blessing,” Haskins said. “It all came so fast. I’m just blessed to be here and be in this position. When I was younger, watching this on TV, it is all just coming to life now. It is a blessing.”

The 2018 recruiting class – which ranked 19th in the country – did not come in with a ton of accolades but wound up being the most consequential of the Jim Harbaugh era. The group of seniors helped will a championship season into existence. Haskins reflected on what it took to make that happen.

“We had to click on all cylinders and buy-in,” he said. “It was our time to do that last year. We got it done and we continue to go forward and be great.

“[My teammates and I] were tired of being talked down on. We knew we were better than a lot of people. Wanted to make it known and make people feel us. I feel like we did that.”

Haskins was never a fiery leader at Michigan, instead electing to lead by example. He saw the value of teamwork and cohesiveness in 2021.

“I learned a lot,” he said. “Just coming together as a team and one unit and buying into what the coaches and everything they taught us. You cannot take anything for granted. No missed reps or anything like that. I just took that and learned from last year that we had to do it all and buy-in.”

Jay Harbaugh and Mike Hart’s impact

Haskins was one of the best diamond-in-the-rough finds in recent memory for the Wolverines, ranking as a three-star prospect and No. 897 player in the country per the On3.com consensus rankings. Jay Harbaugh, who was the running backs coach at the time, was a driving force in his recruitment and helped develop him early on. Haskins had nothing but gratitude for the faith that was shown in him.

“I want to thank Coach Jay,” he said. “If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be at Michigan. He came down to my high school and he was showing me a lot of love. Taught me a lot of things through my career at Michigan and I want to thank him for that. He definitely had an impact on my life.”

Harbaugh moved to tight ends last season, clearing the way for former Michigan star Mike Hart to helm the running backs room. Haskins shared that Hart’s voice carried a lot of weight having been a standout on his own in Ann Arbor.

“He taught me a lot of things in that short period of time,” he said. “When he got there, he showed me all types of things. He has been in that position. He had been in the same room in the same building. So he knows exactly what he is talking about and looking for. I just went with it. I understand where he came from and he understood where I came from.

“So I just took everything he told me and just ran with it.”

Haskins on his and Michigan’s future

Michigan has its work cut out for it in replacing Haskins, but a tandem of Corum and a second-year Donovan Edwards is a tremendous place to start. The backfield rotation will look different, but he is confident they will not skip a beat.

“They can go far,” he said. “Those two guys especially. I’m not going to lie. I can’t wait to watch them this year. They are going to have some [huge games] in front of them. Those two guys are very special.”

Haskins has a lot to gain with having a good showing at the combine and can solidify his standing in a talented draft class. However, he is at peace with how the process plays out.

It has worked out pretty well for him in the past.

“Let God handle that, Haskins said. “I’m not sure [how it will go]. Whatever blessing he has for me, I’m going to take it.”