What Are Fair Expectations for Donovan Edwards in 2024?

How the QB play could impact Donovan Edwards

Much has been written about the Wolverines quarterback battle and it is a major question going into next year. While there are high hopes for the likes of Alex Orji, Davis Warren and others, it is difficult to imagine getting anywhere near the production McCarthy provided in 2023. That means that, as the Wolverines have done in the past with great success, it could be a run first and run heavy offense this fall.

From 2021 until 2023 Michigan’s pass rate remained fairly steady between 39 and 41 percent, which was usually around 100-120th in the country. And it’s a trend that has remained almost as consistent for a decade. The Wolverines are obviously not averse to handing the ball off as many times as is necessary to grind an opponent down. And now, as the featured back, without a proven thrower at quarterback, Donovan Edwards will be the beneficiary of a huge chunk of carries to prove that he is just as good a back as those who came before him.

But to do that, he will have to prove that his vision and consistency issues are things of the past. There were times in early 2022 and 2023 when Edwards seemed too quick to run into a pile and had a tough time making the correct cut when a seam presented itself. He just seemed a step slower than Corum. But in every big game he played in, during both seasons, he put those concerns to bed in front of a nationwide audience.

Who knows how many of his early season struggles came from the infrequency of his carries, and that Michigan football shuffled in other backs like Kalel Mullings (who had a good season and will also be back this year). But it is his show this season, without question and he will have a great chance to build consistency and iron out any offseason rust very early on.

And it’s a good thing, too, as the Longhorns will come calling at The Big House on September 7th.

It has been a few years since the Wolverines have been in a position to have a dynamic back, without the benefit of a known quantity at the quarterback position. In 2017, with John O’Korn and Brandon Peters at the helm the carries were split between Chris Evans and Karan Higdon. With Wilton Speight starting in 2016, De’Veon Smith had 181 carries, and he had 180 the year before with Jake Rudock as his quarterback.

When Cade McNamara took over in 2021, Hassan Haskins had 270 carries, the most by a Michigan football running back in quite a few years. Haskins was a huge part of the offense and a big reason why the Wolverines made it to the College Football Playoff, along with Cade’s solid passing.

College offenses still need balance to be successful, but it seems as though it’s reasonable to expect between 240-270 carries next year, even with Mullings as a very capable backup. Edwards will likely end up being the main offensive weapon for the 2024 team, and so 1,100 to 1,300 yards would certainly reflect that.

There are other factors to consider as well, including his extraordinary ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. This adds another layer of potential productivity and explosiveness, which a new Wolverine quarterback (whoever it may be) will no doubt love to take advantage of, even if it is just a check down.

On the other end, though, is Michigan’s brutal schedule. It’s the 13th toughest in the country and with games against Texas, USC, and Oregon in addition to the older Big Ten rivals, they will be facing plenty of solid defenses that may force them to win the game through the air.

Michigan football may have the line to grind out yards on the ground regardless of how many defenders are stacked in the box, and if that is the case we should see Donovan Edwards finally breakout over the course of an entire season.