Justice Haynes, Wolverine

Tag: Buford (GA) Buford


25Dec 2024
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Justice Haynes, Wolverine

Justice Haynes (image via Gary Cosby, Jr./USA Today)

Alabama transfer running back Justice Haynes has committed to Michigan as of Christmas Eve.

Haynes is a rising third-year player with two years of eligibility remaining. Standing 5’11” and 210 pounds, he rushed for 448 yards on 79 carries and scored 7 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2024. He was a backup to Jamarion Miller and was #3 in rushing yards behind quarterback Jalen Milroe and Miller. As a freshman in 2023, he ran 25 times for 168 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Haynes was a 5-star, the #3 running back, and #29 overall in the class of 2023 out of Buford (GA) Buford. Michigan has recruited several players from Buford over the years, but their best signee was running back Christian Turner (who transferred to Wake Forest and then Indiana).

Of all the players in the portal, Haynes was one of the guys I wanted most because it’s pretty clear to see how he will translate to Michigan’s offense. Michigan likes downhill running backs, and Chip Lindsey had success with a pretty similar back at North Carolina in Omarion Hampton. (Hampton is a little bigger at a listed 6’0″, 220 lbs.) Haynes has quick feet, gets north-south quickly, does a good job of following his blocks, and also has contact balance.

Side note: I also was hoping to land Kentucky transfer Keeshawn Silver as a big nose tackle and Washington State QB John Mateer; Silver is headed to USC, and Mateer was a pipe dream, anyway, but decided to follow his offensive coordinator to Oklahoma.

Anyway, Haynes should leap to the front of the line at the running back position and make a good 1-2 punch with Jordan Marshall. I’ll channel my inner Fred Jackson and say Haynes looks like De’Veon Smith . . . but fast! I like both Haynes and Marshall, and the Wolverines should have one of the best backfields in the Big Ten. Cole Cabana (Minnesota) and Tavierre Dunlap (Eastern Michigan) both decided to transfer after the season, but the program will have third-year back Benjamin Hall, second-year player Micah Ka’apana, and newly signed Jasper Parker and Donovan Johnson in addition to Haynes and Marshall.

Haynes is the second Alabama player to transfer to Michigan this cycle, joining defensive tackle Damon Payne. Michigan lost safety Keon Sabb to the Crimson Tide last off-season.

12Feb 2023
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Mantrez Walker, Wolverine

Buford (GA) Buford linebacker Mantrez Walker

Buford (GA) Buford linebacker Mantrez Walker, a class of 2025 prospect, committed to Michigan on Saturday evening. He picked the Wolverines over offers from Florida, Florida State, Ohio State, Penn State, and Tennessee, among others.

Walker is listed at 6’1″ and 215 lbs. He benches 305 and squats 405.

RANKINGS
ESPN: N/A
On3: N/A
Rivals: N/A
247 Sports: N/A

Hit the jump for more on Walker’s commitment.

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10Apr 2017
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Christian Turner, Wolverine

Christian Turner

Christian Turner

Buford (GA) Buford running back Christian Turner committed to Michigan on Monday afternoon. He chose the Wolverines over offers from Louisville, Miami, Michigan State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, and Wisconsin, among others.

Turner stands 5’11” and weighs 187 lbs. As a junior in 2016, he carried the ball 100 times for 1,100 yards and 18 touchdowns. He ran 82 times for 789 yards and 9 touchdowns as a sophomore.

RATINGS
ESPN: 3-star, 78 grade, #19 RB, #289 overall
Rivals: 3-star, #26 RB
Scout: 3-star, #72 RB
247 Sports: 3-star, 87 grade, #29 RB, #499 overall

Hit the jump for my thoughts on Turner.

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