Michigan football didn’t have the most ballyhooed transfer portal class in 2025, but it found some gamebreakers across the board who can help this team immediately.
In the spring game, a few of the transfers really stood out — namely, the Metcalf brothers from Arkansas. TJ Metcalf shined in his role as a safety while his brother, Tevis, had an interception near the end of the first half. But there was perhaps no greater incoming transfer than Alabama running back Justice Haynes.
Haynes didn’t show too much on April 19, but he did have a couple of notable runs, including a long scamper for more than 20 yards, showcasing his speed and vision. With that in mind, where does he rank among the best transfer portal players this cycle?
ESPN high on Haynes
ESPN just released its top 2025 transfer portal players now that most of the top available players have landed at their schools of choice. A former five-star as a recruit, Haynes came in ranked No. 37 overall by the worldwide leader.
37. Justice Haynes, RB
Background: Haynes was the No. 2 ranked running back in his class and the No. 24 overall player in the ESPN 300 for 2023. He earned 25 carries as a freshman and looked ready for a more significant role in 2024 with Alabama’s top two backs graduating. Though he started the first six games of his sophomore season, it was Jam Miller who emerged as Alabama’s featured back with Haynes rushing for 448 yards and seven TDs on a mere 6.6 rushing attempts per game. — Olson
Scout’s take: Haynes has been productive at Bama, but not in a featured role. He has all the traits of an every-down back: a strong, balanced runner with productive yards after contact. He runs with a lower center of gravity and will absorb the first hit and run through arm tackles. Haynes has good vision and quick-cutting burst to daylight, but he’s not super elusive or a home run threat in the open field. He has good hands out of the backfield with compact power and leverage to also block on passing downs. He was a successful lead back in high school and certainly can produce in a similar role if he finds the right opportunity. — Tucker
What he brings to Michigan: Haynes should get lots more opportunities to be a lead back with the Wolverines and will form a terrific duo with talented freshman Jordan Marshall, who rushed for 100 yards in Michigan’s bowl win over Alabama.
As noted, Haynes and Marshall will likely split time, not unlike Hassan Haskins and Blake Corum in 2021, Corum and Donovan Edwards the following two years, and Edwards with Kalel Mullings this past season.
The other recruiting services’ rankings
ESPN was actually the highest on Haynes and his ability, having him listed at No. 37 overall and the third-best tailback to transfer elsewhere this cycle (Jaydn Ott and Ahmad Hardy were ahead of him).
Both On3 and 247Sports didn’t have Haynes ranked too much lower than ESPN. 247Sports had him as the No. 42 transfer and top running back on the move, while On3 had him at No. 43 and the third-best back (behind Hardy and Makhi Hughes). Rivals was a little bit of an outlier, even though it didn’t have him too low, either. Rivals has Haynes as the No. 57 transfer and the second-best back behind only Hughes.
If Haynes looks at all like how he did in the annual spring game this past April, then Michigan — a team that predicates itself on ball-control and running the football — will certainly feel like it got him in peak five-star position.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan’s 2025 transfer Justice Haynes shines: ESPN ranks him No. 37, poised to lead Wolverines’ run game
Reporting by Isaiah Hole, Wolverines Wire / Wolverines Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
