Donovan Edwards discusses challenge from Michigan coaching staff, the 'haters' and 'critics,' more

Through five games, Michigan Wolverines football junior running back Donovan Edwards is off to what he described as a “slow start.” Edwards averaged 7.1 yards per carry last season but is recording just 3.3 per rush this fall, carrying 47 times for 157 yards with no touchdowns.

Speaking with reporters Tuesday night after practice, Edwards repeated the phrase, “everything is alright” several times. He’s been disappointed with the way his season has started, but not discouraged.

“There are more games to come,” the 6-foot-1, 210-pound West Bloomfield (Mich.) High product said. “I’m not trippin’ at all — not one bit. I know that I get bashed a little bit — and critics are critics; who cares. But at the end of the day, I know what I can improve on, I know what I’m doing well, and that’s all I can continue to do is be me, not get down on myself, just keep my head up and continue to work. That’s what I’m going to continue to do; that’s what I’ve been doing my whole life. … It’s all we can do is just continue to be gritty.”

Edwards said Saturday after a 45-7 win over Nebraska that his Michigan coaches told him he was running “passive” in the first four contests.

“For me, it’s just running harder, just trusting everything,” the Michigan back said. “Not to say that I don’t, but I guess I find myself second guessing things, searching for the big plays when the big plays are going to happen.

“Nothing is wrong. Honestly, nothing is wrong. Just wait until — it’s been four games, five games. Just wait. If I don’t play great by the playoffs, Big Ten championship, Ohio State, then you got something to say. But it’s Week 5. Just give me a chance. Everything is alright right now. Everything is alright.”

Edwards ran harder against the Cornhuskers, with 3 runs of 4 yards, 1 rush of 6 yards and gains of 8 and 9 yards, in addition to the rest of his attempts. He finished with 14 carries for 48 yards — not eye-popping numbers, but a sign of progress.

“Last game was a good game for me,” Edwards explained. “I ran hard, I hit the holes better, just looking for things. Of course I want the big plays, but those are going to come. The coaches have done a great job of telling me to just worry about getting the 4 yards, the 5 yards, the 6 yards. And they challenged me, and that’s what I needed. I needed that. I’m just going to continue to do my thing, continue to run hard, hit the hole when it’s there.”

Edwards second guessing himself with the ball in his hands might have something to do with his high expectations for himself and those that others set for him. The 2022 Big Ten championship game MVP ripped off 75- and 85-yard touchdown runs against Ohio State, had a 50-yard run on the first play from scrimmage in the Fiesta Bowl and broke off multiple explosive runs against Penn State. The Michigan back said he does believe that the expectations may have been inflated.

Edwards mentioned “critics” a few times during his 13-minute session with the media, though he said he doesn’t pay much attention to them Even so, the fact that he’s been criticized for his slow start to the season says something about his talent level.

“The critics? Who cares,” Edwards said. “People are always going to say what they want to say. [Los Angeles Lakers forward] LeBron James has critics, [former NBA star] Michael Jordan has critics, [late professional boxer] Muhammad Ali had critics. The greatest athletes have critics. At this point in time, I’m not in that same situation as them and people are bashing me — I feel like I’m great, too. If you ain’t getting no haters, you’re doing something wrong. So clearly, I’m doing something right.”

More snaps at receiver coming for Donovan Edwards?

Michigan has seen senior running back Kalel Mullings emerge over the last two games, with 11 carries for 83 yards and a score. Mullings saw all 5 of his rushes against Nebraska come on 3rd or 4th down, and he picked up a first down, including 1 touchdown, on every attempt.

Edwards was asked if he expects to play more out of the slot or out wide given that Mullings has taken a step forward in joining the rotation with he and senior Blake Corum.

“Whatever the coaches need me to do, I’m going to embrace it,” Edwards said. “I love seeing Kalel get the touchdown. I might be a little bit jealous that he got a touchdown before me. I’m just playing. I love it. I’m excited. I love being able to look at Blake eating, Kalel eating, [senior wide receiver] Roman [Wilson] eating, [junior quarterback] J.J. [McCarthy] eating, the offensive line is doing a hell of a job. I love to see it. That’s it. I just love the success of the team and the program.”

Edwards reiterated that he’ll do what’s best for the Michigan team in terms of a role going forward, prioritizing winning over individual statistics, playing time or notoriety.

“We have fantastic receivers on the team,” Edwards continued. “I’m not deciding where I line up or how many reps I get, but best believe I’m going to be happy wherever I am, and more importantly the team’s success and winning football games, that’s more important on me being like, ‘Ah, I want to play receiver. Ah, one more touch. I want more playing time.’ That means nothing to me right now. It’s important to win ball games.”