Michigan adds No. 1 transfer portal RB from Alabama

Michigan’s success in recent years has leaned heavily on its dominant defense and a physical, ground-and-pound rushing attack.

Last season, the Wolverines captured the national championship with a rushing offense that, while ranked 59th in yards per game (169.1), excelled at finding the end zone, finishing sixth nationally with 2.7 rushing touchdowns per game. Key contributors Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards powered the offense, embodying Michigan’s hard-nosed approach under Jim Harbaugh.

However, this year’s Michigan offense took a major hit after a mass exodus of upperclassmen from last season’s championship team. The Wolverines ranked 112th in total offense and averaged just 22.3 points per game, leaving a glaring need for reinforcements heading into 2025.

Head coach Sherrone Moore appears committed to maintaining the program’s run-heavy identity, diving into the transfer portal to add a significant weapon to the backfield with Alabama running back Justice Haynes, according to CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz.

Haynes, who committed to Michigan on Tuesday, was one of Alabama’s highest-ranked recruits in the 2023 class. Haynes was a five-star prospect ranked as the No. 34 overall recruit, the No. 3 running back, and the No. 3 prospect from Georgia, per 247Sports. As a transfer, he’s considered the No. 26 overall player and the top running back in the portal.

In two seasons and 25 games at Alabama, Haynes logged 104 carries for 616 yards and nine touchdowns. Now, he’ll head to Ann Arbor, where he’s expected to compete with rising star Jordan Marshall and the rest of Michigan’s talented running back room for the starting role.

Haynes is Michigan’s eighth transfer portal addition this cycle and the second-highest-rated among them. He’s also the second Alabama player to join the Wolverines this offseason, following defensive lineman Damon Payne.

With Haynes in the fold, Michigan hopes to reinvigorate an offense that will also look to transfer quarterback Mikey Keene or five-star high school prospect Bryce Underwood for a spark in 2025. Together, these additions could give the Wolverines the shot in the arm they need to defend their title and keep their championship aspirations alive.