Alright, so the other day I started thinking about the next NFL draft cycle, specifically 2025. Running backs always catch my eye, and Donovan Edwards’ name popped into my head. I remember seeing him flash some serious talent playing for Michigan, especially those big plays, so I figured I’d start digging into his situation for the 2025 draft.
My Process Kicking Things Off
First thing I did was just confirm his status. I knew Blake Corum left for the NFL after their championship run, so I double-checked that Edwards was indeed coming back to Michigan for the 2024 season. Yep, confirmed. That puts him squarely on the radar for the 2025 draft class, which is what I suspected.
Then, I decided to refresh my memory on his actual play from last season. It’s easy to remember the highlights, but I wanted to get a feel for his overall game again. I spent some time pulling up game footage from 2023. Didn’t watch full games, more like condensed versions or specific offensive drives where he was involved. I paid close attention to how they used him alongside Corum. It was obvious they were a tandem, each getting their touches.
Jotting Down Some Thoughts
As I was watching, I started making some mental notes, which I later jotted down just to keep track. Here’s kinda what stood out to me:
- Versatility: He’s not just a runner. I saw him split out wide sometimes, catch passes out of the backfield. That receiving ability is a big plus these days in the NFL.
- Big Play Threat: Definitely has that gear to break off long runs. You see that burst when he hits the open field.
- Shared Workload: Clearly operated as the “1B” to Corum’s “1A” for much of last year. Got significant snaps, but wasn’t the primary workhorse back.
Looking at the Numbers (Briefly)
I wasn’t doing a deep dive into analytics or anything crazy yet, way too early for that. But I did pull up his basic stats from the official Michigan team site – just looking at carries, rushing yards, receiving stats. The numbers basically backed up what I saw on film: productive when given the chance, but definitely sharing the load. It wasn’t like he had 300 carries or anything.
Thinking About the Future (2024 Season & 2025 Draft)
This is where it gets interesting for his draft stock. With Corum gone, the stage is set for Edwards to be the guy in that Michigan backfield in 2024. That’s the biggest thing I’m watching. Can he handle the lead role? Will his efficiency stay high with more volume? How does he hold up physically?
I also spent a little time just scrolling through some fan forums and social media, seeing what the general chatter was about him. Lots of excitement, people expecting a big year, but also some folks wondering if he can be that consistent, every-down back. It’s good to get a feel for the public perception, even if you take it with a grain of salt.
Wrapping Up My Initial Look
So, after going through this process – confirming his status, re-watching some tape, checking basic stats, and thinking about the upcoming season – my current take is pretty straightforward. Donovan Edwards absolutely has the talent and the traits (speed, receiving skills) that translate well to the NFL. He looks the part physically, too, based on his listed size.
BUT, his 2024 season at Michigan is going to be huge for his 2025 draft position. Teams will want to see him handle a bigger workload and be the featured back. Consistency will be key.
For now, he’s definitely high on my personal watchlist for 2025 running backs. I’ll be keeping a close eye on how he performs this upcoming college season. This is just the start of tracking these guys, always interesting to see how their stock evolves.
