Michigan has produced plenty of star running backs in recent years, and Justice Haynes might be the newest addition to that list.
On Saturday, the Wolverines went on the road and knocked off previously unbeaten Nebraska, 30-27, in the Big Ten opener for both teams. Haynes was the catalyst, rushing 17 times for 149 yards and a touchdown as Michigan improved to 3-1.
A transfer from Alabama, Haynes has started his first season in Ann Arbor on fire. Through four games, he’s already set a career high with 487 rushing yards to go along with six touchdowns. The junior has shown his explosiveness with multiple long scores, including 75-yard runs on the road against No. 18 Oklahoma and Nebraska.
JUSTICE HAYNES SAID BYE BYE @UMichFootball
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 20, 2025
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/q7Fm1tPGBn
The Wolverines have been spoiled with star backs, including Blake Corum, Donovan Edwards, Hassan Haskins and Zach Charbonnet over the past few years. Get to know Haynes, who is putting himself in elite company.
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Why did Justice Haynes transfer from Alabama?
In two seasons with the Crimson Tide, Haynes combined for 616 yards and nine touchdowns, though he failed to establish himself as Alabama's starting running back. In 2023, he was behind Jase McClellan, Rydell Williams, and Jam Miller on the depth chart, and by 2024 Miller had become the Tide’s lead back.
That year, Haynes had 79 carries for 448 yards and seven touchdowns. He was not only the No. 2 back, but the third rushing option overall, as quarterback Jalen Milroe led the team with 726 yards and 20 rushing touchdowns.
Looking to carve out a starting role, Haynes transferred to Michigan. He committed to the Wolverines — who lost running backs Donovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings to the NFL — in December 2024.
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Where is Justice Haynes from?
Haynes is from Buford, Georgia. His father, Verron Haynes, is a former NFL running back and Super Bowl champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Justice began his high school career at Blessed Trinity Catholic, where he played two years before transferring to Buford High School, finishing as a highly decorated athlete and a household name in Georgia.
During his prep career, Haynes put up staggering numbers: 7,407 rushing yards and 91 touchdowns, averaging 9.5 yards per carry over four seasons. As a junior at Blessed Trinity, he set a career high with 2,375 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns. In his lone season at Buford, he added 1,695 yards and 26 total touchdowns, averaging over 11 yards per carry.
Rated as a five-star prospect and the No. 1 running back in the class of 2023 by Rivals, Haynes committed to Nick Saban and Alabama in July 2022. He spent two seasons with the Crimson Tide before entering the transfer portal in December 2024 and committing to Michigan.
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Justice Haynes stats
Haynes had an exceptional game against the Cornhuskers, rushing for 147 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. It was one of three touchdown runs over 30 yards, with quarterback Bryce Underwood and running back Jordan Marshall adding ones for 37 and 54 yards, respectively.
JUSTICE HAYNES U ARE THE BEST RB IN THE COUNTRY pic.twitter.com/Ff8TXzuSl9
— neil. (@chilldude74) September 20, 2025
Michigan outgained Nebraska 286 to 43 on the ground throughout the contest, scoring three rushing touchdowns to Nebraska's zero.
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Michigan RB depth chart
Behind Haynes, Michigan has a young running back core. The Wolverines' second back, Marshall, had a 54-yard touchdown run against Nebraska.
| Position | Player |
| 1 | Justice Haynes |
| 2 | Jordan Marshall |
| 3 | Jasper Parker |
| 4 | Bryson Kuzdzal |
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