ANN ARBOR, Mich. — For many who weren’t paying close attention in the offseason, Justice Haynes has been one of the biggest surprises for Michigan football this season — though those who were in the know were excited about his potential.
But even those who were in the know were caught a little off-guard when it comes to just how good he’s been.
Haynes has set a Wolverines record for a newcomer with five straight games rushing for over 100 yards. He’s third in the country in yards per game, 15th in yards per carry, and fourth in overall yards. It seems like every game, Haynes scampers for a 75-yard touchdown (though in reality, it was a 59-yard run in Week 1, 75 in Week 2, 20 in Week 3 after his long run was called back due to a penalty, 75 in Week 4, and 43 against Wisconsin this past week).
If there’s one thing that’s surprised Michigan running backs coach about Haynes it’s his speed, he told WolverinesWire on Wednesday.
“He’s faster than I thought he was,” Alford said. “But to say that we expected certain things — expected him to come here and compete and play at a high level, which he’s doing and has done since the day he’s gotten here, so I’m glad he’s with us.”
Considering that Alford was the first call Haynes made when he decided to enter the transfer portal from Alabama, you’d think Alford would have known what he was getting. He knew he was getting an elite back, as he recruited the former five-star when he was coaching at Ohio State. But even after Haynes got to campus, it took a little while before Alford recognized that he had something of a gem.
“Yeah, I didn’t see it, I’ve got to be honest,” Alford said. “I mean, I knew he could run. And he told me he could. You know, he had those things. But I didn’t — I’ve got to be honest, I didn’t see it. I didn’t see it last spring. I started to see glimpses of it in the summer, during training camp in particular. And that’s not to say I thought he was slow, but he’s faster than I thought he was, just watching him from afar before.”
The intent, Alford says, was to split Haynes and Marshall as 50-50 type of backs, in terms of carries. However, Haynes has been so elite, Alford doesn’t feel like he can or should take him off the field — though he notes that Marshall could end up getting more carries in future games if he has the hot hand.
But for Haynes, Alford says it’s not his speed where he’s made the most growth since he arrived on campus — it’s his ability to connect with his teammates.
“I think his leadership qualities are getting better and more enhanced, I should say,” Alford said. “He’s becoming more comfortable in his space, if you will. But yeah — he’s a student of the game. He’s in this building all the time, watches a lot of films, a film junkie, if you will. So yeah, he’s been great. He’s been great in the meeting rooms. The players have embraced him as he’s embraced them in the culture. And like I said, he’s a joy to be around, a joy to coach.”
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan RB coach Tony Alford admits Justice Haynes’ speed surprised even him this season
Reporting by Isaiah Hole, Wolverines Wire / Wolverines Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
