Since arriving in Ann Arbor back in 2021, it was pretty clear that running back Donovan Edwards was bound to be a Michigan football star. While he had a relatively quite Week 1 performance against East Carolina, running backs coach Mike Hart — who will be the second-half interim head coach this weekend — says that the junior ball-carrier continues to make crucial progress as a football player.
Michigan football star continues to get better
Last weekend, Donovan Edwards earned 16 touches and totaled 70 yards on the game. While he was not as impressive as many anticipated in Week 1, it’s all just a part of his development as a running back as he looks to flourish into a Michigan football star. Ahead of the Wolverines’ matchup against UNLV this weekend, running backs coach Mike Hart gave us the latest on Edwards and his progress.
“I think he’s getting better,” Mike Hart said of his junior Michigan football star, Donovan Edwards. “He’s gotten better every year. I think there’s a growth pattern when you come in from high school as a running back to college as a running back. The things you have to do – the defense is faster, the defense is bigger, so you can’t do all the things you did in high school. He’s really learned to slow down his game to make the correct reads, understanding the defenses, knowing who’s blocked and who’s not blocked, and it makes him a better player. He knows he doesn’t need to try to score every time he gets the ball, and the big plays are going to happen.
“So mentally, he’s just grown. He’s always had the physical tools, but mentally he’s grown so much in knowing, ‘I don’t have to run the ball 50 yards every time I get it.’ The plan is to get four, and the big plays will happen themselves.”
Mike Hart wants Donovan Edwards, Blake Corum involved in the passing game as well
With JJ McCarthy and the passing offense looking elite — McCarthy went 26/30 for 280 yards and three touchdowns last weekend — the running backs need to be more involved as receivers as well. According to Mike Hart, Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards are ready to do whatever Michigan football asks of them this fall.
“Like I said, they’re gonna play no matter what,” Hart continued. “We’re gonna do what we have to do to win. Donovan (Edwards) and Blake (Corum) can catch the ball well out of the backfield. Obviously, you want to get them both on the field at the same time to create issues for the defense. They both can catch, they both can block, they both can run. So just trying to find ways creatively to get them touches and allow them to showcase their talent.
“Obviously, that’s what we do on offense, and coach mentioned it earlier, but feed the studs, right? Who are your best players, and who do you want to get the ball to? And our job as coaches is to find ways to get those guys touches and get them the ball no matter which way we can.”
More must-reads: