Does Michigan RB Donovan Edwards want 25 carries per game? He discusses his role

Michigan Wolverines football senior running back Donovan Edwards logged 2 offensive snaps and rushed the ball just once for 4 yards in a 31-10 win over Washington in 2021, his freshman season. In the locker room after the game, despite his team getting the win, Edwards cried about his lack of involvement in the offense.

Now, though, Edwards says “numbers don’t matter anymore.” Of course he wants to contribute, but he cares about winning more than anything else, to the point that he wants to see his fellow running backs enjoy success, as well. He’s a leader on the team this season — a likely captain — yet he’s told his younger teammates to call he and the upperclassmen out if they’re not living up to the standard Michigan has set.

The West Bloomfield, Mich., native has been open about his ups and downs last season, when he averaged 4.2 yards per carry compared to 7.1 the previous campaign. He saw a therapist, as recommended by former position coach Mike Hart, and got his “fire back” in his soul by November.

“I realized I put a lot of expectations on myself, like wanting to get drafted after the season,” Edwards explained. “Knowing like, ‘Yeah, man, that might not happen.’ I put a lot of expectations on myself that I’m not gonna do ever again.”

Edwards, of course, had big runs, including a touchdown, in a win over Penn State, and dashed for 2 long touchdown scores in a victory over Washington to win the national championship game. The only tears he shed after that one were those of joy.

Now, at long last, Edwards is set to be Michigan’s lead back, except his mindset has shifted a bit. He’d like to be featured, but also wants others to get their shine.

“I could be a 25-carry guy,” Edwards said. “Do I want it? I’ll take it if I’m needed to be, but I want other guys to be able to get their touches. I want to be able to catch the ball, too, get like 4 or 5 catches.

“It doesn’t matter. Whatever [offensive coordinator] Kirk [Campbell] wants. Whatever is best for the team is what I want. I could have 25 carries, but ultimately I want [graduate] Kalel Mullings to get carries, I want [sophomore] Ben[jamin] Hall to get carries, I want [senior] Tavi[erre Dunlap] to get carries, [graduate] Leon [Franklin]. I want all running backs to get carries when their number is called on.

“But to answer your question, yes, I could do it. I’m confident in it.”

In fact, Edwards has put in the work to make sure he could carry the ball 25-30 times in a game if he needs to. He’s up around 215 pounds now, and he believes it’ll benefit him this season.

“Ultimately, you have to be durable, so I’m weighing 215 right now,” he explained. “I want to get to like 212 before the season starts. [I was] like 203 [last year].”

A reporter followed up by asking if he believes the weight gain will make a difference.

“You watch the spring game? OK then.”

Edwards started Michigan’s spring game but was taken out quickly so not to risk injury. He rushed 5 times for 33 yards with an 11-yard long, showing good vision and burst, along with physicality when taking on tacklers.

Edwards’ 5 runs came in the matter of only 10 plays on his team’s opening drive, perhaps foreshadowing how frequently he’ll receive the football this coming season. Getting it consistently is crucial to establishing game flow.

“Yeah, man. As a running back, you have to get a rhythm of the game,” the Michigan back said. “You don’t ask a quarterback to hand the ball off 15 times and now want you the receiver to run a post route in Cover 3 and I want you to throw it 50 yards. The pass might not be there, he’s not in a rhythm. 

“Yeah, that’s not just me; that’s for any player in the game. You have to get into a rhythm of the game.”

Edwards isn’t just projected to thrive this season — he’s bringing teammates along with him. He’s set the tone this offseason and is intent on making sure the Wolverines follow up last year’s national championship with another successful year.

“I look at our running back room as complementary to all of us,” Edwards said. “I told the guys, I told each and every one of our running backs I was going to out-work them. That was my challenge that, are you going to compete with me? Because I’m going to compete. Are you guys going to compete with me? And believe me, they have been competing.”