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Michigan officially announces signing of Alabama RB transfer Justice Haynes

ECCrzGbXkAEmHxxby:EJ Holland•01/03/25•

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Justice Haynes
Alabama transfer running back Justice Haynes is interested in Michigan. (Photo by William Purnell-Imagn Images)

Michigan officially announced the signing of Alabama running back transfer Justice Haynes on Friday afternoon.

Haynes committed to Michigan last month, but a delay in signing caused some concern. The Wolverines ultimately finalized his paperwork and inked the talented ball carrier.

Haynes, who is ranked as the No. 2 running back and No. 22 overall prospect in the transfer portal, per On3, rushed for 448 yards and seven touchdowns on 79 carries while splitting time with teammate Jamarion Miller this season.

“He brings a really well-rounded skillset to Michigan,” said On3 Rankings Director Charles Power. “He can do a little bit of everything. He might not overwhelm you in terms of the burst or straight-line speed, but he’s a crafty runner. He picks his way through the line of scrimmage and has the ability to break tackles at the second level. He’s a guy who comes in ready to play. He’s going to be entering his third year. He’s a guy who came into college advanced from a development standpoint — physically and in terms of his skillset — so I think he’ll bring that to Michigan.”

Haynes joins a relatively inexperienced backfield that also includes sophomore Benjamin Hall, freshmen Jordan Marshall and Micah Ka’apana and 2025 signees Jasper Parker and Donovan Johnson. 

And that means Haynes will have an opportunity to make a major impact for a run-first program next season.

“If he’s not the primary ball carrier, he’ll at least be in the mix,” Power said. “Without knowing exactly how Michigan’s depth chart is going to shake out, I think, at the minimum, he’ll be a major factor in the run game next year as Sherrone Moore crafts this roster in the image he wants. He’s a portal add that Michigan fans should be excited about. He had a lot of schools after him in the portal. South Carolina was a player, and Ole Miss was interested in him prior to adding some other guys. Plucking him from the south and the SEC is a statement portal win for Michigan.”

A former blue chip recruit, Haynes was ranked as the No. 3 running back and No. 39 overall prospect in the 2023 class.

Michigan has landed eight players out of the transfer portal — quarterback Mikey Keene (Fresno State), running back Justice Haynes (Alabama), linebacker Troy Bowles (Georgia), wide receiver Donaven McCulley (Indiana), offensive lineman Brady Norton (Cal Poly), cornerback Tevis Metcalf (Arkansas), safety TJ Metcalf (Arkansas) and defensive tackle Damon Payne Jr. (Alabama).

Michigan has the No. 1 ranked transfer portal class in the Big Ten and No. 3 nationally, per the On3 Team Transfer Portal Index. The Wolverines currently sit behind Ole Miss and Texas Tech.

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