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Michigan RB Donovan Edwards signs with New York Jets

Anthony Broomeby:Anthony Broome•about 17 hours•

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Michigan Wolverines football running back Donovan Edwards scored on his final carry at The Big House. (Photo by Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images)
Michigan Wolverines football running back Donovan Edwards scored on his final carry at The Big House. (Photo by Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images)

Michigan Wolverines RB Donovan Edwards will sign with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

The West Bloomfield, Michigan native appeared in 50 games in his career with 13 starts, 10 of which came during his senior season as a team captain. Edwards had 128 carries for 589 yards and four touchdowns in 2024, averaging 4.6 yards per carry. He added 18 receptions for 83 yards.

“I just have a lot on my mind right now,” Edwards told WXYZ-TV after opting out of the ReliaQuest Bowl to focus on the draft. “I haven’t really had the opportunity to look back and reflect, but for the most part, I’ve always been grateful for all the support that the Michigan fans have given me. … This place will always have a special place in my heart.”

For his career, Edwards rushed 422 times for 2,251 yards and 19 touchdowns along with 86 receptions for 797 yards and four touchdowns. He was also 4-for-4 passing in his career for 121 yards and two touchdowns, completing one pass in each of his four seasons in Ann Arbor. His first career touchdown pass came on a 75-yard score to Roman Wilson in the 2021 Big Ten Championship win over Iowa, and his second was a 23-yard pass to Colston Loveland in last season’s 24-17 win over Michigan State.

Pro Football Focus ranked Edwards as the No. 329 prospect in the class coming into the draft.

“A well-built runner with good size, Edwards gets what is blocked for him but lacks creativity and play traits to find pro yardage on a consistent basis,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote. “He won’t wiggle his way around tacklers but puts in an honest effort each snap and falls forward for additional yardage. He’s an adequate pass catcher whose protection improved greatly in 2024. Edwards offers toughness but a modest ceiling as an average three-down backup.”

Edwards’ biggest performances at Michigan came in the biggest moments over his four years in Ann Arbor. Stepping in for an injured Blake Corum in the 2022 win over Ohio State, Edwards rushed for 216 yards on 22 carries with two touchdowns, one from 75 yards out and another from 85 yards, to ice a 45-23 win over the Buckeyes. He had six carries for 104 yards and two touchdowns in the 2023 College Football Playoff national title win over Washington from 41 and 46 yards out, respectively, to help U-M to a 34-13 win.

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