For the first time since his arrival in Ann Arbor back in 2021, the stage is set for former five-star running back Donovan Edwards to show the nation what he can do as the lead back. Edwards has been biding his time for a few seasons sitting behind Hassan Haskins in 2021 and Blake Corum in ’21-’23.

Edwards has been electrifying at times. Like in 2022 during the final three game stretch for the Wolverines. He ran for 530 yards during the final three games when Michigan was without Corum due to injury. The 2023 campaign was mostly a down year for the junior back, but once again, Edwards showed what he could do on the big stage. He rushed for 104 yards and two long touchdowns against Washington during the national championship.

While Michigan fans know what Edwards can do, how does the national media view the now-senior back? According to Pro Football Focus, Edwards isn’t a top-10 back heading into ’24 — but he is on the cusp.

PFF didn’t list Edwards in their top 10, but they did have Edwards next in line as honorable mention.

Edwards had a disappointing junior campaign, rushing for just 497 yards on 119 attempts as he served as the complementary back to Blake Corum. He’s flashed superstar ability before though, especially in the biggest games of the season last year when Corum went down with a knee injury. 

In the national championship game against Washington this year, Edwards had six carries for 104 yards and two scores, averaging a ridiculous 17.3 yards per attempt. He’s a proven receiver as well, with 456 receiving yards over the last two seasons. With Corum and quarterback J.J. McCarthy moving on to the NFL, Edwards has a chance to finally show what he can do as Michigan’s bell-cow back.

With the loss of Corum, every offensive linemen, Roman Wilson, Cornelius Johnson, and J.J. McCarthy — Michigan is most likely going to lean heavily on Edwards and the run game in 2024. This will be Edwards chance to live up to the standard he wants to be at.