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Donovan Edwards could see unique role on Michigan’s 2023 roster

After a stellar sophomore campaign in 2022, Michigan running back Donovan Edwards could see a unique role this fall.

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Dec 3, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Donovan Edwards (7) runs the ball toward the end zone during the second half of the Big Ten Championship against the Purdue Boilermakers at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Throughout the 2022 Michigan football season, the Wolverines found that they had the nation’s best running back duo on their hands. Sophomore Donovan Edwards and Blake Corum accounted for the majority of Michigan’s offensive production — an offense that finished the year top-6 in total and scoring offense.

As we shift from 2022 to 2023, rising junior Donovan Edwards and rising senior Blake Corum are again looking at a monster campaign ahead of them. With Corum seeking a Heisman Trophy again, Edwards could find himself in a unique role this fall.

Edwards has a role as a pass-catcher

Out of high school, Donovan Edwards was rated as a 5-star prospect, the No. 42 player nationally, the No. 4 running back, and the No. 2 player in Michigan (247 Sports). We knew Edwards was talented, but the athletic ability that he has flashed over the past two seasons has been something incredible.

As we head into his junior season, Edwards may again find himself behind Blake Corum on the running back depth chart. Still, he totes other skills that could make him a valuable asset on offense. One of Edwards’ most prominent skill sets is his ability as a receiver.

As I have stated many times in previous pieces, Edwards may be a top-3 pass-catcher on Michigan’s roster. With fellow rising junior JJ McCarthy under center, Michigan football fans could see Edwards become a dual threat as we have never seen in the Maize and Blue.

Pro Football Focus graded Edwards among the nation’s top receiving backs in 2022; time and time again, we saw Edwards climb the ladder and come down with a jump ball. One of those moments was against Rutgers when Edwards hauled a 50/50 ball from McCarthy to give the Wolverines the lead. (See below)

Throughout the Wolverines’ 2021 and 2022 seasons, Michigan’s 6-1, 204 lbs running back hauled in 38 passes for 465 yards and three touchdowns en route to back-to-back Big Ten titles and wins over Ohio State.

Edwards’ ability as a receiver makes him even more dangerous to opposing defenses and gives him an edge over other running backs, such as Blake Corum, who is a less-impactful receiver.

Donovan Edwards might be Michigan’s best ball-carrier

The scary reality of Donovan Edwards is that he might be Michigan’s best true running back besides being an incredible receiving back. In fact, he might have been in 2022 as well.

Last season, Donovan Edwards repeatedly proved that he is the future of Michigan football. In many of the Wolverines’ biggest games against top-ranked opponents, Edwards shinned his brightest.

Against No. 10 Penn State — who went on to finish 11-2 and ranked No. 7 after winning the Rose Bowl — Edwards carried the ball 16 times for 173 yards and two touchdowns. The sophomore also hauled in one pass for 21 yards.

After Blake Corum was injured against Illinois — a game that Edwards was also hurt for and did not play — the sophomore took over as RB1 against the 2nd-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. Alongside JJ McCarthy’s incredible performance, Donovan Edwards helped carry Michigan football to its first win in Columbus since 2000 — the Wolverines walked out with a 45-23 victory. Despite having a broken thumb, Edwards carried the ball 22 times for 216 yards and two touchdowns against Ohio State’s top-10 defense.

The following weekend, during Michigan’s 21-point win in the Big Ten Championship game, Edwards won Player of the Game as he carried the ball 25 times for 185 yards and one touchdown.

Despite being a backup and missing some time due to injury, all said and done, Edwards carried the football 140 times for 991 yards (7.10 yards-per-carry) and seven touchdowns during the Wolverines’ 13-1 campaign in 2022. The incredible reality is that Donovan Edwards is likely a better runner and pass catcher than Michigan legend Blake Corum. Not to take away from Corum — he is also an elite back — but Edwards is shaping up to be a freak of nature on Michigan’s roster.

With Corum and Edwards sharing reps yet again in 2022, Donovan Edwards might find a more versatile role than he has been used to over the past two seasons. The good news for Michigan football? You can’t go wrong with Edwards on the field — he is an elite receiver and running back, a great blocker, and even threw a perfect 75-yard touchdown pass in Michigan’s 42-3 Big Ten Championship game victory in 2021.

Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebookand Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com or DM him on Twitter, @CJsWrld_.

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New Michigan transfer has endless praise for JJ McCarthy on and off the field

A fellow Michigan quarterback had endless praise for starter JJ McCarthy

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Michigan football quarterback JJ McCarthy
© Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK

ANN ARBOR, MI — Most people would look at a player like Michigan’s rising junior quarterback and jump to conclusions. Michigan football quarterback JJ McCarthy was a five-star high school recruit, and is currently the starting quarterback at one of the biggest and most influential universities in the world. On top of that, he just led his Wolverines to a 13-1 season — the winningest in program history — including wins over Penn State, Michigan State, and Ohio State, not to mention the Big Ten title and CFP appearance.

Ahead of the 2023 season, Michigan football quarterback Jack Tuttle — who just transferred into Ann Arbor from Indiana — gave insight on who JJ McCarthy truly is on and off the field.

JJ McCarthy is more than a football player, says new Michigan football quarterback transfer

No one would blame JJ McCarthy for being cocky if he were to be — he backs it up on the field and appears to have everything in the world going for him. Still, McCarthy finds time to just be himself; regardless of his circumstance, McCarthy remains true to the person that he wants to be.

“Most people would kind of look at a guy like J.J., quarterback, big-time guy, they might think he’s arrogant or something. That dude is the most down-to-earth person,” Tuttle told the media. “I can’t say this enough — a great human being, great football player. I love being around him.”

On top of being a good man, JJ McCarthy is one hell of a quarterback, Michigan football quarterback Jack Tuttle says.

“Obviously Michigan gets under center, multiple, there’s a lot of stuff on offense — footwork wise, I’m looking at that like ‘wow’. I haven’t really been under center since high school. Looking at his footwork and how he’s progressed over the past couple of years and just taking little things that he does and maybe implementing it.”

While JJ McCarthy headlines the Michigan football quarterback room, Tuttle claims that the Wolverines are loaded at QB heading into the 2023 season.

“That whole quarterback room, I’m just stoked to be in there. Such good dudes. Really love the guy so far,” Tuttle said of McCarthy. “It’s been phenomenal. I can’t wait to see where we go.”



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Michigan football to host NIL Pep Rally ahead of Spring Game

Thursday afternoon, more exciting news came out regarding Michigan’s annual Spring Game

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Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh talks with reporters before the Fiesta Bowl against TCU on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022, in Scottsdale, Arizona. Michfiesta2 122822 Kd 2277

For Michigan football fans, the anticipation is rising as the annual Spring Game draws closer with every waking minute. On Thursday afternoon, the University of Michigan announced they would host a NIL Pep Rally before the Spring Game on April 1.

It’s no secret that coach Jim Harbaugh loves to put on a show for the fans, so this news should come as no surprise. Here is everything we know so far.

What can be expected?

Attending the event is a star-studded list, as coach Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan football team plan to make appearances. Aside from the football team, 180 athletes across ten University of Michigan athletic teams will attend. Along with meeting some of these student-athletes, many will be available for autograph signings at the event.

Along with the opportunity to meet some of your favorite student-athletes, fans can participate in various activities. There will be face painting, tailgate games and a photo booth. Finally, former star Wolverines Jon Jansen and Jake Butt will be making an appearance for a special Chalk Talk.

Pep Rally Details

The event, presented by the leading NIL collective Valiant Management Group, will occur on April 1, 2023, in Crisler Center. The event is set to occur between 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. in preparation for the spring game, which will take place in the Michigan Stadium.

Just last year, the team celebrated the opportunity to play in their first spring game since 2018. Now, it appears coach Harbaugh is ready to get back in action and get the fans even more involved. Tickets for the event are $30; kids 12 and under can get in free with a paying adult. To purchase your tickets, click here.



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple PodcastsSpotify, and all other steaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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Major outlet ranks Jim Harbaugh as No. 1 coach in the Big Ten

A major outlet ranked Jim Harbaugh as the best coach in the Big Ten.

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Jim Harbaugh of Michigan football
Dec 31, 2021; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh throws prior to the Orange Bowl college football CFP national semifinal game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

ANN ARBOR, MI — Over the past two seasons, the entire identity of the Michigan Wolverines’ football program has changed. Before 2021, the Michigan football team was coming off of a 2-4 season in 2020; before that, the Wolverines were managing 8-10 wins per season, though consistantly losing to Ohio State, their bowl game, and saw frequent losses to Michigan State and Penn State. Since that 2021 season, everything has changed for Jim Harbaugh and his Wolverines — in fact, Harbaugh is now thought of as the best coach in his conference.

Jim Harbaugh changes everything for Michigan football in 2021

After arguably the worst season in Michigan football history (2020), Jim Harbaugh and his Wolverines decided to go all-in on the 2021 season. At his Big Ten media presser, Harbaugh claimed that Michigan would accomplish its goals (beating Ohio State, Michigan State, winning the Big Ten, and more) or “die trying.” The Wolverines did exactly that — Michigan football finished the regular season with an 11-1 record after downing Ohio State 42-27 in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines then won the Big Ten title for the first time since 2004; however, were dominated by Georgia in the CFP.

A season later, Michigan football appeared to improve as Jim Harbaugh led his team to a 12-0 finish — including massive 20+ point wins over Michigan State, Penn State, and Ohio State — before winning the program’s first-ever 13th game in a single season. While the Wolverines still fell short against TCU in the Fiesta Bowl, the 2022 season was monumental for Jim Harbaugh and Michigan football.

Heading into the 2023 season, Michigan appears to have its best roster during the Jim Harbaugh era (since 2015). In fact, right now, the Wolverines come into the season favored against every major program that it must face: Penn State, Michigan State, and Ohio State. If the Wolverines aren’t competing for a Big Ten title this year, most fans will call the season a disappointment.

On3 ranks Harbaugh No. 1 in the Big Ten

Of the 14 coaches in the Big Ten, On3 claims that none are better than Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh. Here is what On3 had to say about Harbaugh and why he is ranked No. 1:

It took some time, but Jim Harbaugh fulfilled his promise of beating Ohio State and delivering his alma mater a Big Ten Championship. 

Then he did it again last season. The Wolverines are 25-3 the last two years, with a pair of conference titles and College Football Playoff berths. While Harbaugh has downplayed some of the major cultural and philosophical changes he made before the 2021 season, he deserves credit for pivoting and overhauling his staff. 

In eight years at Michigan, Harbaugh has five seasons with at least 10 wins. Although the yearly NFL rumors remain a distraction, the Wolverines don’t look like they’re going to slowdown at all under Harbaugh, either. They bring back a loaded squad in 2023 — with Harbaugh supplementing the depth chart with several key additions from the transfer portal — and will be the favorites to three-peat in the Big Ten. 

While I weigh the present more than the past, Harbaugh’s coaching resume also includes jumpstarting Stanford’s program (12-1 season in his final year) and four years with the San Francisco 49ers where he never had a losing season, played in the NFC Championship Game three times and lost to his brother John Harbaugh in the Super Bowl.

The next three coaches behind Jim Harbaugh and Michigan football are: Ryan Day (Ohio State), Luke Fickell (Wisconsin), and James Franklin (Penn State).



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple PodcastsSpotify, and all other steaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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