Not many expected the Wolverines to have a slow go in the transfer portal after the Bryce Underwood recruitment. But, simultaneously, not many expected Michigan football to land some of the top talent in the country, either.
The maize and blue have a solid haul thus far with seven commitments from the portal (Indiana WR Donaven McCulley, Arkansas DBs TJ and Tevis Metcalf, Alabama DT Damon Payne, Cal Poly OT Brady Norton, Georgia LB Troy Bowles, and Fresno State QB Mikey Keene) but are looking to add a few more big-time players.
Atop the Wolverines’ list is Alabama running back Justice Haynes. Haynes is originally from powerhouse Buford (Ga.) and was thought by national analysts to be lock for either a top SEC school or perhaps Ohio State. However, he’s now deciding between Michigan and South Carolina and Michigan appears to have the edge with a new 247Sports Crystal Ball prediction as well as On3 predictions from Steve Wiltfong and Pete Nakos coming in favoring the Wolverines
Have placed a @247Sports Crystal Ball prediction for Michigan to land coveted Alabama running back transfer Justice Haynes.
Has been between the Wolverines and South Carolina for Haynes, the top-ranked RB in the portal, and Michigan seems to be trending at the moment.… pic.twitter.com/J2EzMd5fkL
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) December 24, 2024
NEW: On3’s @SWiltfong_ & @PeteNakos_ have predicted Michigan to land Alabama transfer RB Justice Haynes〽️
Intel: https://t.co/4T1zESOSRn pic.twitter.com/XjmwL1NlRp
— On3 (@On3sports) December 24, 2024
Here is how he ranks in the transfer portal:
| * | Ovr | Pos | |
| 247Sports | 4 | 26 | 1 |
| On3 | 4 | 21 | 1 |
Haynes was originally a five-star recruit according to the 247Sports Composite, ranked No. 29 overall and the third-best running back in the 2023 class. Regardless of where he ends up, he’ll have two years of eligibility remaining.
Haynes wasn’t utilized much in his freshman campaign but did have four carries in the Rose Bowl against Michigan last year for 31 yards. This season, he had 79 carries for 448 yards and seven touchdowns, to go along with 17 catches for 99 yards.
