The Senior Bowl is a great chance for NFL draft prospects to impress NFL teams and few have done a better job of that this week than Michigan football running back Donovan Edwards.
For years, I have talked about how Michigan football should use him more as a wide receiver. As a freshman, he had one game with over 100 yards receviing against Maryland, then the Wolverines never seemed to go back to that consistently.
Edwards caught a go route from J.J. McCarthy during the 2023 season and it left me wanting that a lot more, especially in 2024. However, due to the quarterback, the play-calling, or a combination of both, Edwards was never utilized properly as a passing threat by Michigan football.
Donovan Edwards is turning heads at the Senior Bowl
That seems even more egregious after watching highlights from Senior Bowl practice this week. Edwards caught 86 passes for 797 yards and four touchdowns during his Michigan football career but this week, he's been a problem for defenders in pass coverage.
There's a great YouTube video with some highlights and a breakdown of what Edwards has done so far this week, but he's turned heads with his receiving ability. He's also looked good in pass protection and running the football.
Edwards didn't have the season some hoped or expected but he still rushed the ball 129 times for 589 yards (4.6 per attempt) and scored four touchdowns.
On 422 career attempts, Edwards rushed for 2,251 yards (5.3 per attempt). He's not a bell-cow running back but the Michigan football standout is going to be a weapon for some lucky NFL team.
Edwards is a big play waiting to happen and put him into the right system, with the right coach and the right quarterback, the dude will be a star.
The Michigan football running back might end up as a day-three selection -- running backs don't get drafted that early anymore, but he could an absolute steal and it still has me asking why didn't the Wolverines throw him the ball more?