Donovan Edwards could determine Michigan football’s CFP fate in 2024

Michigan misplaced some large items from its nationwide championship offense. The Wolverines not solely misplaced J.J. McCarthy at quarterback, a man who went 27-1 as a starter, however they’re misplaced Blake Corum, Roman Wilson, Cornelius Johnson, and all the O-line. Corum, Wilson, and Johnson made up for 41 of the staff’s touchdowns in 2023.

Nevertheless, the cabinet is not naked in Ann Arbor. Michigan does return some electrical gamers who will make an affect on the sphere. Not solely will the Wolverines have arguably the perfect tight finish within the nation in junior Colston Loveland, however Michigan additionally brings again Semaj Morgan and Tyler Morris at large receiver.

Whereas these cross catchers will make an affect on the Michigan offense, the participant who may in the end dictate what the Wolverines do in 2024 is senior operating again Donovan Edwards. The West Bloomfield product had a down yr in ’23 by his requirements. He rushed for 497 yards however was fourth on the staff in receiving with 249 yards by way of the air. Edwards determined to return again and change into the beginning operating again in place for Corum who’s now within the NFL.

The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman named Edwards as one in all 10 gamers who may affect the Faculty Soccer Playoff race in 2024.

He was spectacular two years in the past, operating throughout Ohio State in Columbus, breaking that sport open, and he was nice within the nationwide title sport, ripping Washington for a pair of 40-plus-yard TD runs. However for essentially the most half final season, he didn’t seem like his outdated self, coming off a torn patellar tendon from the earlier yr, operating 119 occasions for 497 yards with 5 touchdowns to go together with 30 catches for 249 yards. Edwards had solely two different runs of 20-plus yards within the Wolverines’ different 14 video games mixed. Now, with Blake Corum gone, because the Wolverines break in a brand new QB and a completely new O-line, they want the 6-1, 212-pound Edwards to take over and seem like a Heisman contender in the event that they hope to remain within the high 10.

– Bruce Feldman (The Athletic)

Michigan has relied on its floor assault because it grew to become a playoff contender in 2021. Hassan Haskins and Blake Corum led the best way for Michigan in 2021-2023 and now it is Edwards’ flip. The senior has gone from being overly assured to being a humble participant who has insisted he desires to do no matter he can for the staff to win in 2024. Edwards would not need to take all of it on by himself, he desires his fellow teammates to eat as nicely.

The Wolverines have not been shy in saying they should get the ball into Edwards’ fingers this season. Not solely will Michigan followers see him line up because the operating again, however you may count on to see Edwards play some slot as nicely and get some motion that manner. Getting Edwards into open discipline would be the key for Michigan.

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