Can Donovan Edwards eclipse 1,500 total yards this season?

Can the Michigan football running back eclipse 1,500 total yards this season for the Wolverines?
Michigan Football Spring Game
Michigan Football Spring Game / Jaime Crawford/GettyImages
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These circumstances could help Donovan Edwards surpass 1,500 total yards.

There have been some personnel changes on the Michigan football team since the team raised the College Football Championship trophy in January. J.J. McCarthy no longer plays quarterback for the Maize and Blue; he now plays with the Minnesota Vikings.

Zak Zinter, Trevor Keegan, and LaDarius Henderson were part of a dominant offensive line group last season. All three players have left school and signed NFL contracts in 2024. Who will replace J.J. McCarthy at quarterback has not yet been decided.

When an offensive line loses five starters total, the line loses continuity. This new offensive line group will form cohesion throughout spring scrimmages and summer practices. Developing these players over that timeframe requires patience. Proceeding with more practice opportunities will allow the offensive line to establish a rhythm early in the season. Running the ball more could take pressure off the quarterback room. Installing a run-heavy approach allows more carries and opportunities for Edwards to gain more yards. These implementations could help Donovan Edwards break 1,500 total yards in 2024.

Donovan Edwards rushed for a career-high 991 yards in the 2022 season. He scored nine total touchdowns while averaging 7.1 yards per carry in 2022. Edwards has outstanding vision and breakaway speed. He has reliable hands and possesses solid lower body strength.

This Michigan football running back can take any screen or slant pass and break away for a touchdown in the blink of an eye. Edwards showcased his exceptional talents during some pivotal prime-time matchups. He tallied 104 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the national championship game in January.

In 2022 versus Ohio State, he gained 216 rushing yards and scored twice. My last example and another reminder that Donovan Edwards performed admirably during a prime-time contest also came during the 2022 season. In the 2022 Big Ten Championship game versus Purdue, he ran for 185 yards and one touchdown. Edwards no longer shares this backfield with Blake Corum; he has the opportunity to showcase what he can accomplish as the RB1 for Michigan fooball.

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Even with Edwards sharing the backfield with Kalel Mullings, there are open avenues to reach the 1,500 plateau. Donovan Edwards needs high productivity in every game this season to ensure that the Michigan football team reaches double-digit wins in 2024.