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ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- While the Michigan football defense should look close to the same in 2025 as it had in 2024 (despite being down a few standout players), the offense aims to have a complete overhaul.
It's not just the fact that the Wolverines revamped the quarterback room, bringing in No. 1 overall recruit Bryce Underwood and Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene, but the offensive coordinator, Chip Lindsey, is new to the program. There will be new faces at wide receiver, offensive line, and running back.
Though quarterback gets most of the publicity, the running back room has a lot of intrigue. Gone are Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards, but the maize and blue secured Justice Haynes from Alabama via the transfer portal and will likely see a lot more of sophomore Jordan Marshall.
On Monday, new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey met with the media for the first time as a Wolverine and he shared more about what Haynes brings to the table as a player.
"Yeah, he looks great in the winter program. And familiar with him from when he was a high school player. Knew he was a really good player there," Lindsey said. "And I think he's gonna bring that veteran presence that we're gonna need in that room. Looks to be physical. He looks like he's in great shape. They all do, but he really does.
"And his approach is like Bryce I mentioned earlier -- like a lot of our guys, just being real, that his approach is he's all business. He wants to be the best player he can be. He's been a great influence on some of our other players as well, which I think is important being an older guy. And we're excited about him, and he's just gonna add another dimension to that room."
Lindsey had a standout tailback at North Carolina in Omarion Hampton, but his aim isn't to have one back who supersedes the rest.
As he notes, Marshall and Ben Hall certainly should play a big role in what the Wolverines do at the position, as Lindsey explains his ethos when it comes to working that room out during the season.
"Yeah, I think adding Justice is huge," Lindsey said. "I do think the old days of playing one tailback probably are not realistic. Now, we did that a little bit last year where I was, but we had some injuries, and that guy was a special player. But we'd love to have two guys that are kind of interchangeable, that can share the load, and a third guy, too, that gets quality reps as well. So I think that's important.
"And you know how it is, playing running back, probably in this league, like some of the other leagues, I mean, it's a physical position. Every snap, if you're running the football, or you're throwing, or whatever you're doing, pretty much -- so we're gonna need them all. And establishing probably that pecking order, and how it works, and the different personnel groups where we can use multiple guys, I think is important as well.
"But looking forward to it, it's a good room. I'm excited about them, and looking forward to getting them out there tomorrow."
Michigan fans will get their first opportunity to see the new-look running backs room in action on Saturday, April 19 when the Wolverines host the annual spring game at noon at The Big House. Spring practice begins in earnest on Tuesday.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Why Michigan football RB Justice Haynes is poised for 2025 breakout
Continue reading...
It's not just the fact that the Wolverines revamped the quarterback room, bringing in No. 1 overall recruit Bryce Underwood and Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene, but the offensive coordinator, Chip Lindsey, is new to the program. There will be new faces at wide receiver, offensive line, and running back.
Though quarterback gets most of the publicity, the running back room has a lot of intrigue. Gone are Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards, but the maize and blue secured Justice Haynes from Alabama via the transfer portal and will likely see a lot more of sophomore Jordan Marshall.
On Monday, new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey met with the media for the first time as a Wolverine and he shared more about what Haynes brings to the table as a player.
"Yeah, he looks great in the winter program. And familiar with him from when he was a high school player. Knew he was a really good player there," Lindsey said. "And I think he's gonna bring that veteran presence that we're gonna need in that room. Looks to be physical. He looks like he's in great shape. They all do, but he really does.
"And his approach is like Bryce I mentioned earlier -- like a lot of our guys, just being real, that his approach is he's all business. He wants to be the best player he can be. He's been a great influence on some of our other players as well, which I think is important being an older guy. And we're excited about him, and he's just gonna add another dimension to that room."
Lindsey had a standout tailback at North Carolina in Omarion Hampton, but his aim isn't to have one back who supersedes the rest.
As he notes, Marshall and Ben Hall certainly should play a big role in what the Wolverines do at the position, as Lindsey explains his ethos when it comes to working that room out during the season.
"Yeah, I think adding Justice is huge," Lindsey said. "I do think the old days of playing one tailback probably are not realistic. Now, we did that a little bit last year where I was, but we had some injuries, and that guy was a special player. But we'd love to have two guys that are kind of interchangeable, that can share the load, and a third guy, too, that gets quality reps as well. So I think that's important.
"And you know how it is, playing running back, probably in this league, like some of the other leagues, I mean, it's a physical position. Every snap, if you're running the football, or you're throwing, or whatever you're doing, pretty much -- so we're gonna need them all. And establishing probably that pecking order, and how it works, and the different personnel groups where we can use multiple guys, I think is important as well.
"But looking forward to it, it's a good room. I'm excited about them, and looking forward to getting them out there tomorrow."
Michigan fans will get their first opportunity to see the new-look running backs room in action on Saturday, April 19 when the Wolverines host the annual spring game at noon at The Big House. Spring practice begins in earnest on Tuesday.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Why Michigan football RB Justice Haynes is poised for 2025 breakout
Continue reading...
