Michigan football star had breakout year in 2022, but hated the circumstances

During Week 12 of the 2022 college football season, Michigan football star running back Blake Corum went down with a season-ending knee injury just before halftime against Illinois. While the Wolverines went on to win that game 19-17, the Maize and Blue needed a banged-up Donovan Edwards to lead the way against Ohio State. Edwards racked up over 200 rushing yards and scored a few touchdowns in Michigan’s Week 13 victory, subsequently securing the game MVP title the following weekend in the Big Ten title game. However, he is not fond of how his moment to shine came about.

Michigan football star Donovan Edwards had breakout stretch in 2022, but is not fond of how this success came about

Donovan Edwards and JJ McCarthy were the foundation of the 2021 Michigan football signing class — a class that has been credited with changing the culture and propelling the Wolverines back to the top of the Big Ten and beyond. So far, the infamous 2021 class has seen action in two seasons, boasting a flawless record against Penn State and Ohio State, clinching two Big Ten titles, making two playoff appearances, and achieving much more.

That said, when Donovan Edwards emerged as an elite ball carrier for the Wolverines in Blake Corum’s absence, things didn’t feel right. Edwards was destined to be a star, but the circumstances were less than ideal — his mentor and friend, Blake Corum, was on the sidelines, giving him a chance to break through the Buckeye defense and secure a resounding 45-23 victory in Columbus.

“I hated that my time came because Blake got hurt,” Michigan football star Donovan Edwards said in a recent interview with Pro Football Focus. “But I always prepared myself to rise to the occasion no matter what’s going on with me. (Injuries) don’t mean anything. I have to do everything I can to help the team win. You have to rise to the occasion that’s given to you. I was looking for an opportunity to showcase myself. I accepted it and completed the challenge that was given to me.”

As many know, Edwards was battling a hand and knee injury during his massive performance against the Buckeyes, which sent Michigan football back to the Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis, IN, the following weekend.

Blake Corum returns to Ann Arbor for another shot at the national title

“I told him, ‘Man, go to the league!’” Edwards continued. “Our career spans aren’t long (as running backs). He already had like 300-plus carries in your career, like go to the league, bro. From a selfish standpoint, it helps me because it’s not putting a lot of strain on my body, and I can do the same thing for him. I’ve always wanted to go to a college with two good running backs.”

With Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards returning for the 2023 college football season, it seems that this year’s Michigan football offense could potentially be the best in program history. It is undoubtedly the most talent-laden squad that Jim Harbaugh has overseen during his eight-year tenure with the Wolverines thus far, and has the potential to end Michigan’s nearly three decade national title drought if all goes as planned.

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