Spring practice began this week for the defending national champion Michigan Wolverines, and there’s already plenty of intrigue regarding the new-look program. First-year head coach Sherrone Moore has officially taken the reigns from Jim Harbaugh, and Michigan will look to replace the production from 18 veteran players that are off to the NFL Draft.
One of the top returning contributors from that incredible 2023 season is senior running back Donovan Edwards. The dynamic back has spent his first three seasons splitting reps with guys like Hassan Haskins and Blake Corum, and now he’ll get his first opportunity to be the feature back in 2024.
Speaking with the Michigan media on Tuesday, Edwards reflected on what it’s like winning a national championship, and the challenge that faces this team as they look to continue that success in 2024.
“It’s a surreal feeling winning a championship. But then, when you wake up the next day, it’s like, this is amazing, this is what we worked for – but it’s also over.
“We just have to continue to find who we are, find our identity this year. Last year’s team is in the past, but this year’s team is what we have to continue to build and rally around.”
As far as how the team looks early, Edwards said that all facets of the team – offense, defense, and special teams – look like they haven’t skipped a beat.
“It’s great. Everybody was flying around, it was like we haven’t missed a beat out here. Defense was flying around, offense was flying around, special teams looks great. It’s just great.”
One of the biggest changes Michigan faces in 2024 is life without former U-M head coach Jim Harbaugh, who returned to the NFL to become head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers back in January. Although it’s never easy replacing a head coach like Harbaugh, Edwards had high-praise for the way Sherrone Moore goes about his business in that same role.
“He’s very open, and his openness allows people to respect him. It’s not like he’s a tyrant, or he’s like, ‘this is what we’re going to do’. Nah, he’s a very open coach. He asks his players, ‘what do you think about this’? The same way with the coaches, just the open-mindedness of him, just ups his respect. He told me today, the way I’ve been practicing today, he said, if I keep that up, I’m going to be phenomenal. I’m going to be great. It’s just the confidence he gives his players, allows them to thrive and fight for him. I told him this year, I said, ‘Coach, we’re going to do this. I’m going to have your back, and I know that he has my back.’”
Fans will get their first opportunity to see the 2024 squad in action on April 20, as the Wolverines return to the Big House for the annual spring game – an event that is free to the public.
