SNOW DECISION
U-M signs star RB Edwards to help it snap cold streak
Donovan Edwards woke Wednesday morning and decided then and there to sign a national letter of intent with Michigan football.
It’s a good thing he didn’t look outside his bedroom window first.
“I just woke up and I felt as though this was the place for me to be,” he said. “It was the program that was on my mind the most. I felt: ‘Alright, it’s on.’ I would definitely say that Michigan was on my mind for some
U-M’s offensive haul could rescue Harbaugh’s regime
The tide of negativity receded Wednesday, allowing Michigan fans space to dream.
They could set aside their misgivings about a season gone awry and picture fivestar quarterback J.J. McCarthy throwing a bomb to blue-chip receiver Xavier Worthy or handing it off to talented running back Donovan Edwards for a big gain.
Once again, their belief in the Wolverines was revived.
The early signing period offered a respite
Tucker’s first class includes big steal, more work to do
Mel Tucker spent nearly an hour discussing the importance of recruiting, the intricacies of pulling together his 2021 class virtually and the way he wants to push Michigan State football’s recruiting efforts toward more of an NFL scouting model.
He didn’t mention his three highest-rated recruits in that time. He couldn’t due to NCAA rules – Rayshaun Benny, Audric Estime and Geno VanDeMark did not sign Wednesday.
months now.”
In the midst swirling snow and freezing temperatures that would have been better suited for a Winter Classic hockey game, the fourstar running back chose the Wolverines over Notre Dame, Georgia, Alabama and Penn State on West Bloomfield High School’s frozen football field.
In the end, it was U-M over Notre Dame and Georgia.
“I was weighing my pros and cons with everything,” the 5-foot-11, 196-pound Edwards said. “I felt Michigan was the best fit for me. I felt as though the players that are coming in, we’re going to come in and turn it around.”
Edwards intends to enroll early at U-M in January, and with the remaining MHSAA football playoffs on hold, his career as a Laker is over.
“It was hard, very hard, but I can only control what I can control,” he said. “I tried to make the best out of my opportunities as a senior at West Bloomfield. I tried to give it everything I had this last run.”
This has been a tumultuous fall for the Wolverines, who pulled out of a third straight game this week because of a COVID-19 outbreak and will finish the season 2-4.
Edwards said he has a good relationship with Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, running backs coach Jay Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Josh Gattis, and also said the uncertainty of Jim Harbaugh’s future in Ann Arbor was not a concern.
Harbaugh has one year remaining on his contract after this season.
“I didn’t care,” he said. “I feel it’s the players that bring the most out of the program. The coaches will lead the way, but it’s the players that win the game. We’re going to have enough.”
But Edwards did emphasize that he is looking forward to playing for U-M with Harbaugh as coach.
“The competitive
nature
that Harbaugh
brings to the table,” he said, “I feel as though that’s the kind of competitive nature I need as a coach.”
Ranked the No. 4 running back in the nation, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Edwards was considered one of the top uncommitted players in the country heading into signing day — and easily the top uncommitted player in Michigan.
His decision was broadcast live on ESPN, which showed Edwards choosing the U-M hat among the five hats in front of him.
U-M had too many plusses for Edwards to turn down. One of them was the chance to play with incoming five-star quarterback J.J. McCarthy, one of the elite players in the country.
“J.J.’s the ultimate competitor,” Edwards said. “I feel as though J.J. brought a lot of the excitement to the class already so, yeah.”
It didn’t hurt the Wolverines chances that two of Edwards’ former West Bloomfield teammates, safety Makari Paige and linebacker Cornell Wheeler, are now U-M freshmen.
“They’re ultimate competitors, just like me,” he said. “I would say going into a program with
a bunch of competitors such as Makari and Cornell, I feel as though we’re going to do great things.”
This was a crucial get for the U-M program, which has been good but not quite elite on the recruiting trail in recent years under Harbaugh. Edwards is the highest-ranked running back to sign with U-M under Harbaugh.
“It was April 17, 2018,” Edwards said. “That is when they offered me. I could say the leader of the pack for a while was Ohio State. But they got two running backs already.”
The inability for one of Michigan’s returning running backs to step up and claim the position this past season helped U-M’s efforts to land Edwards.
“It’s just the opportunity for me to compete, and honestly be the man in my hometown,” he said. “But as well, I want everyone around me to be better, to be the best that they can be.”
“All I need is an opportunity to compete and show the reason why I feel I’m the best out there.”
Also working for U-M was the proximity to Edwards’ home.
“Of course, of course,” Edwards said, laughing. “We’re 40 minutes from the crib, you know what I’m saying? Of course, of course.”
Edwards had a brilliant four-year career at West Bloomfield.
Lakers coach Ron Bellamy said he knew the youngster was headed for a Power Five school when he was only a freshman. Edwards began that 2017 season on the junior varsity team and gained 600 yards in two games. He was brought up to the varsity team and immediately began returning punts and kickoffs and earned time carrying the ball.
“This kid was 14 years old and doing all these things,” Bellamy said. “We were state runnerup that year, so we were a very talented team with eight Division 1 players and Donovan was on the field in critical moments.
“At that moment, I said, ‘This kid can hold his own.’ ”
Edwards’ father, Kevin, whose wife, Donna, passed away when Donovan was only 2 years old, seemed not as excited as everyone else to have his son playing college ball so close to home.
Perhaps it was Wednesday’s weather, but Georgia didn’t seem to be too long a drive for Kevin, who also pointed out that South Bend, Indiana, was only three and a half hours away.
“Well you know what, I’ll be honest with you,” his father said. “With me being in Michigan my whole life, I really wanted him to get away. Get away from Michigan, get away from the snow. Go, get away from Michigan.”
Instead, he chose to stay close to home and be around the man who raised him and his older brother, Kevin Jr., a fact Edwards chose to mention after making his commitment Wednesday.
“Thank you to my dad,” Edwards said. “I grew up 15 years now without having a mother. He did the best he could for my brother and I. So, thank you Dad, I love you very much.”