The last time Donovan Edwards was featured, it was on the cover of EA Sports College Football 25. Why hasn’t the Michigan Wolverines’ star been a key part of the offense in 2024?
What Happened to Donovan Edwards
Edwards has bided his time on Michigan’s depth chart — but his time is nearly out.
As a Top 100 recruit in the 2021 class, Edwards landed in Ann Arbor with more buzz than starter Hassan Haskins or backup Blake Corum. The Wolverines were coming off a 2-4 record in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, so it wouldn’t have been surprising if the program gave the athletic marvel an abundance of touches in Year 1.
All Haskins and Corum did was combine for over 2,200 yards and 31 touchdowns, powering Michigan to a Big Ten title and its first College Football Playoff appearance. As the RB3, Edwards only saw 35 carries, but he did record three TDs and nearly 175 yards while catching 20 passes.
In 2022, Corum erupted to national star status, rushing for just under 1,500 yards and 18 scores before a knee injury ended his Heisman-worthy campaign. However, his loss was Edwards’ gain, as he finished just nine yards shy of the millennium mark, averaging 7.1 yards per carry (third in team history).
In Michigan’s final three games — against Ohio State, Iowa in the Big Ten Championship, and TCU in the CFP semifinal — Edwards generated 520 rushing yards, highlighting his big-play ability against some of the best teams in the nation.
Edwards tasted greatness, but that’s all it was — a taste. That offseason, he underwent knee surgery in February to repair a partially torn patella tendon and missed all of spring practice. Then, before the season kicked off, he suffered an Achilles injury that further delayed his conditioning.
Instead of being a 1B to Corum’s 1A, Edwards was a clear No. 2, needing seven games to score his first TD and nine to record his first rush of 15+ yards. Now, it’s important to note that Edwards came out and said he dealt with mental health issues last season and began attending therapy.
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And while the person far outweighs the football player, it’s clear Edwards is a shell of his former self on the gridiron — both physically and mentally.
Entering the 2024 season, Edwards received all the hype as the reigning national champion’s lead back, landing on the cover of one of the most anticipated video game releases of all time: College Football 25.
Yet, after opening the season with a paltry 11-27-0 rushing line, Edwards’ starting role was quickly given to Kalel Mullings, who has been one of the lone bright spots on a floundering roster.
Edwards has one 100-yard game and hasn’t had a touch (carry or reception) go for 50+ since 2022, showcasing a diminished level of burst with the ball in his hands. Additionally, he’s struggled to make any room for himself, posting 28 missed tackles forced over the last two years compared to his 31 in his sophomore campaign.
The 2024 season was supposed to be Edwards’ chance to shine. Instead, it’s become a reminder that potential doesn’t always guarantee production on the field. But just because he failed to meet the lofty expectations placed on him doesn’t mean he’s a failure.
Playing in one of the most competitive conferences in the nation, Edwards has taken 80 carries for 392 and three TDs — respectable numbers that rank among the top 100 RBs in the country.
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