Michigan football: Breakout star already emerging in spring practice

True freshman running back Donovan Edwards is emerging as a potential breakout star for the Michigan football team in 2021.

When Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan football program signed Donovan Edwards last recruiting cycle, the Wolverines expected big things, but probably not right away in Josh Gattis’ offense.

According to the 247Sports Composite, Edwards is the No. 2 player from Michigan, the No. 3 running back in the country and the No. 41 overall player in the 2021 recruiting class. The four-star from West Bloomfield committed to Michigan on Dec. 16. In the early days of Michigan spring practice, Edwards has really caught the attention of his some of his Wolverines teammates.

“Donovan came in right away and he got used to the game,” said running back Blake Corum to reporters Thursday. “Obviously, college ball is a little faster than high school ball, but I see him coming in every day working really hard getting used to all the plays and stuff, and I feel like he’s definitely gonna be a really good player. I like what I see from him so far.”

“Speed. Speed. Speed. Speed,” said redshirt junior linebacker Josh Ross. “That dude flies and is so fast. He’s still learning and getting better, but he can definitely fly.”

Donovan Edwards will have ample opportunities to pound the rock in 2021

While the Wolverines have a pair of running backs with big-game experience in Corum and redshirt sophomore Hassan Haskins, Michigan lost sophomore Zach Charbonnet to the transfer portal. The West Coast kid will now suit up for Chip Kelly’s UCLA Bruins. With Charbonnet leaving the program, that will afford Edwards to possibly make a huge impact during his true freshman year.

After an utterly atrocious 2020 campaign, the Wolverines have made great strides towards turning the program around for 2021. Harbaugh hired a pair of NFL defensive-minded coaches to bolster his defense in Mike Macdonald and Maurice Linguist. They have recruited very well since arriving in Ann Arbor. Of course, the Wolverines still have major uncertainties at quarterback.

While Dylan McCaffrey and Joe Milton have transferred within the last calendar year, Cade McNamara has looked solid in limited starts. Michigan also landed a five-star signal-caller in Edwards’ class in J.J. McCarthy, as well as getting former Texas Tech quarterback Alan Bowman to transfer. Even if it does not work out, at least Michigan has a plan to rectify last year’s issues.

With an improved defense and quarterback play, look for Edwards to be a breakout star in 2021.

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