Former Alabama running back Justice Haynes comes to Ann Arbor in search of opportunity as he forms a new dynamic duo with Jordan Marshall. ESPN recently named him the Michigan Wolverines’ top transfer portal addition for the 2025 season:
ESPN ($) recently named its top portal addition for each of its way-too-early top-25 teams ahead of the 2025 college football season. The Michigan Wolverines checked in at No. 21 on the list, and the worldwide leader echoes the sentiments of most of the fan base.
“Top portal addition: Justice Haynes, RB, Michigan Haynes, a former top-25 recruit, is looking for a chance to play a more significant role after rushing for 448 yards and seven touchdowns as a sophomore on just 6.6 carries per game. He’ll certainly get that opportunity in a Michigan offense that must replace Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards. Haynes is coming in with two more seasons of eligibility and should form a terrific duo with Jordan Marshall, the Wolverines’ rising freshman who rushed for 100 yards in their ReliaQuest Bowl win over Alabama.”
Haynes — not to be confused with Hoke-era RB Justice HAYES — was picked over offensive line reinforcements (Brady Norton, Lawrence Hattar), defensive line stalwarts (Tre Williams, Damon Payne), and Bryce Underwood insurance (Mikey Keene). Although Haynes does not have the numbers to blow anyone away, he’s coming to Ann Arbor simply looking for an opportunity.
While at Alabama, the former five-star recruit only rushed for more than 100 yards once despite playing in 25 games. Jordan Marshall redshirted last season and still managed to equal this feat, rushing for 100 yards against the Crimson Tide in the ReliaQuest Bowl. But this stat can be deceiving.
Playing in a crowded backfield with a run-first quarterback in Tuscaloosa, Haynes has only carried the ball more than eight times once in college (South Florida, 2024). His lone 100-yard performance came on a minuscule four carries against Western Kentucky this past season, where he ripped off an 85-yard touchdown run in a 63-0 rout of the Hilltoppers.
Michigan fans should remember Haynes from the 2024 Rose Bowl . Playing as the fringe RB3 depending on the week, Haynes carried the rock four times for nearly eight yards a pop in relief of Jase McClellan, Roydell Williams and Jam Miller.
Listed at 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds, Haynes is a bruising runner with impressive contact balance, good vision and decent speed. There is a reason he was listed as one of the top running backs in the portal this winter.
Haynes will form a 1A/1B tandem with Marshall in one of the hungriest backfields in the country. Both players are looking to prove their supporters right and (probably) have a growing list of tweets saved from detractors for a future online public posterization. The good news for both is the Wolverines have bolstered both lines of scrimmage, addressed offensive philosophy issues with a coordinator whose play calling experience exceeds NCAA 25, and secured short- and long-term solutions at quarterback.
In search of opportunity, Haynes will finally have his say in 2025.