Donovan Edwards is a better overall running back than Blake Corum. Despite Blake Corum’s injury, Michigan’s rushing offense has not missed a beat in his absence. The reason for that is the phenomenal play of running back Donovan Edwards. He has put the world on notice that he has arrived as a star.

Donovan Edwards: 2021 Season

However, Donovan Edwards showed flashes of his potential in 2021. One of his greatest attributes is his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. In Michigan’s 59-18 win at Maryland, Edwards caught 10 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown. In the Big Ten Championship game vs. Iowa, he threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to Roman Wilson. Edwards did not get many opportunities to carry the football in 2021. However, he still contributed to the team and give Michigan fans a taste of his potential.

Donovan Edwards: 2022 Season

Donovan Edwards was not the feature back for the Michigan Wolverines in 2022. That honor belonged to Blake Corum who himself had a Heisman Trophy worthy season prior to his injury. However, Donovan Edwards had some of the most impressive individual performances of the season.

During Michigan’s 41-17 win vs. Penn St., Edwards rushed for 172 yards and 2 TD’s. That performance included a 67-yard touchdown run in the 3rd quarter to give Michigan a lead they would never relinquish.

In Michigan’s 52-17 victory at Rutgers, Edwards rushed for 109 yards and had 52 receiving yards on 3 receptions. One of his three receptions was a 14-yard touchdown that gave Michigan a 3rd quarter lead they would never relinquish. However, Edwards would save his best performances for later.

Iconic Two Game Stretch

Donovan Edwards just had the greatest two-game stretch any Michigan running back has ever had. In his last two games, Edwards has rushed for a combined 401 yards on 47 carries for an average of 8.5 yards per carry. Edwards rushed for three touchdowns. Those stats are obviously phenomenal. However, they don’t tell the whole story.

In Michigan’s 45-23 win at Ohio St., Donovan Edwards rushed for 216 yards on 22 carries. He had two touchdown runs in the most important of moments. With Michigan up 31-23 in the 4th quarter, Edwards broke off a 75-yard touchdown run to give Michigan a 38-23 lead. After Michigan forced a C.J. Stroud interception, Edwards broke off an 85-yard touchdown run to give Michigan a 45-23 lead and completely close the deal.

In Michigan’s 43-22 Big Ten Championship win over Purdue, Donovan Edwards rushed for 185 yards on 25 carries to go along with a rushing touchdown. He made two of the most critical plays of the game. Coming out of halftime, Edwards carried the ball for a 60-yard run to set up a Michigan touchdown to give Michigan a 21-13 lead. Edwards rushed for a 27-yard touchdown to give Michigan a 28-13 3rd quarter lead.

Donovan Edwards just had the greatest coming out party in Michigan football history, and the sky is the limit for how great he can be.

Photo Credit: Kirthmon F. Dozier