Donovan Edwards made the most of his limited opportunity in the college football national championship game. The Michigan Wolverines running back raced for 104 rushing yards on just six carries.
That prolific production includes two runs of 40-plus yards in the first quarter, explosive plays that helped spur the Wolverines to a 34-13 win.
Edwards doesn’t typically get as much attention or acclaim from the CFB media or the draft world as backfield mate Blake Corum. And while they’re stylistically different types of runners, the dynamic long runs against Washington showcase why some NFL teams might prefer Edwards as a draft prospect over Corum.
The acceleration out of his cut to bounce this run outside is special. It makes Edwards’ alleged 4.56 40-yard dash time seem sorely antiquated, too; the Washington defense doesn’t really gain any ground on him in the open field.
Early house call from Donovan Edwards!
📺 ESPN#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/efPMbscxBv
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) January 9, 2024
At a listed 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds, Edwards can turn on an afterburner for his size. He’s also a very good receiver out of the backfield. On both his long runs against Washington, Edwards showed enough vision to quickly find a hole when the hole he was expecting wasn’t there.
Edwards certainly helped his draft stock in the Wolverines’ win.