The Michigan Wolverines are back in the national conversation, coming off a massive victory and garnering media attention for their defense and young quarterback, Bryce Underwood. Underwood stole the headlines but there was an under the radar addition that is proving to be (nearly) as valuable: the addition of running back Justice Haynes, a transfer from Alabama. The emergence of Haynes has dramatically enhanced Michigan’s offensive efficiency and their chances for a Big Ten title and a return to the College Football Playoff.
Haynes arrived in Ann Arbor with some fanfare but without the universal buzz of a cornerstone addition. Many believed that Haynes would’ve been better served staying in Tuscaloosa as part of the running back by committee approach Alabama championed. Some even believed that the Crimson Tide were better at developing young backs than the Wolverines. The data reveals the opposite clearly indicate the opposite is true as Haynes has gotten significantly better since arriving in the Wolverines program. The metrics for his 2025 season with Michigan show a marked improvement over his 2024 season with Alabama, proving the Wolverines’ coaching staff, led by Sherrone Moore, successfully integrated him into the offense.
As the below charts show, Michigan has successfully improved Haynes’ performance in virtually ever possible metric:
- PFF Grades: Both his Overall Grade and Rushing Grade have seen a massive bump forward into the mid-80s, indicating a substantial improvement in his all-around play and rushing performance.
- Yards Per Carry (YPC): His YPC has spiked from just under 6.0 at Alabama to approximately 8.0 at Michigan, a remarkable increase that speaks to his impact on the offense.
- Yards After Contact Per Attempt (YAC/Att): This is perhaps the most impressive metric, as it measures a running back’s ability to create yardage after initial contact. Haynes’s YAC/Att has jumped from around 2.8 at Alabama to over 4.0 at Michigan.
- Missed Tackles Forced Percentage (MTF%): The constant ability to make one defender miss or break a tackle is a hallmark of a great running back, and Haynes’s increase in this metric shows his improved ability to turn a two-yard run into a six-yard gain.
- 10+ Yard Run Percentage: The percentage of his runs that go for 10 or more yards has also hurdled forward from his Alabama numbers, demonstrating his explosiveness and ability to get past the first wave of defense.
This superior efficiency means Haynes is not simply benefiting from more carries; he is demonstrably a better, more effective football player on a per-run basis.
The addition of Justice Haynes gives the Wolverines a powerful two-punch concept, pairing his high-efficiency rushing with the playmaking of quarterback Bryce Underwood. This tandem will be critical as Michigan navigates the remainder of a challenging schedule. The below games stand out as the biggest potential challenges for the Wolverines:
- USC: The game will require Michigan to rely on a balanced attack, with Haynes’s efficiency being key to controlling the clock and dictating the pace.
- Maryland: The game in Washington D.C. is a classic trap game. Maryland is frisky and always plays better in D.C.
- Ohio State: Nothing more is needed here.
The addition and integration of Justice Haynes stands as the most significant transfer portal acquisition of the season among skill players. His exceptional efficiency is the engine that will power the Michigan offense through its toughest challenges, positioning the Wolverines for a serious run at the Big Ten title and a potential return to the College Football Playoff.
Disclaimer: The content of this article was originally published as a YouTube video on the SMI College Football Show YouTube channel. With AI assistance, the publisher of the video created this article based on the content of that video.
