3 bold predictions for Michigan football RB Donovan Edwards

One reason to be optimistic about Michigan football going into the 2024 season is Donovan Edwards. The EA Sports College Football 25 cover athlete scored two touchdowns in the national championship game last season but returned to U-M instead of entering the NFL draft.

If Edwards had entered the draft, I feel like he would have gone much earlier than expected. He’s not just a running threat.  Edwards is a dynamic receiving threat and NFL teams will probably take advantage of that more than the Wolverines have.

My hope is that they utilize him more as a pass catcher. Edwards will be used a lot more as a runner and looking ahead to the 2024 season, with The Don as RB1 for the first time, here are three bold predictions.

Edwards will hit 1,000 yards rushing

Donovan Edwards came up nine yards short of reaching 1,000 yards in the 2022 season. That was also the season in which he got the most carries (141) due to the Blake Corum injury. He’s only had two seasons with 100 carries, so it will be exciting to see what he can do with increased volume.

Many are underestimating him. Edwards wasn’t allowed my chances to get into a rhythm. He can break off a touchdown run on any play, so the more times you give it to him, the better chance you have of him ripping off an explosive run.

Blake Corum was a legend. He deserved the carries that he got, but Edwards is going to shine this season and I have zero doubt that he’ll rush for at least 1,000 yards.

Edwards will set a career-high in receiving yards and receptions

Not only is Edwards going to smash the Michigan football record for receiving yards for a running back, but he’s going to hit 1,000 yards for his career which will require 286 receiving yards.

Last season, Edwards caught a career-high 20 passes. His high for receiving yards was 265 as a freshman. I’m not sure why he wasn’t targeted more or split out wide more, but I have a feeling that we’ll see more of that this season.

Truth be told, Edwards is probably the second-best option in the passing game outside of Colston Loveland. Michigan football has to take advantage of him and I think they will. He’ll finish with over 300 yards and I believe he’ll get more than 30 receptions.

Edwards will score double-digit touchdowns

Donovan Edwards scored nine touchdowns in 2022. He’s got 15 touchdowns for his career but in 2024, as the lead back for Michigan football, Edwards will score at least 10 touchdowns.

Between rushing and receiving, he might have a shot to score 15 this season. That’s a big leap but the dude is an elite talent. 247 Sports ranked him as a five-star for a reason. Edwards wasn’t quite himself all of last season, but he stood out in two of the biggest games — Penn State and the natty.

Edwards looked different in the spring game. The vision and the patience were better than we have seen. He seems comfortable in his skin and confident.

The offensive line is replacing six starting-caliber players. I get that. But the O-line will be among the best in the Big Ten still and with Alex Orji as a true running threat, that should open up some things for Edwards, who could easily put together a 1,500-yard season (total yards from scrimmage) with at least 10 total touchdowns.

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