Donovan Edwards, a prominent figure in EA Sports’ “College Football 25” and a team captain for Michigan football, has concluded his tenure with the maize and blue. This significant event has left fans and the football community in a state of reflection. Senior running back Edwards recently spoke with WXYZ-TV during the team's toy drive at Somerset Mall in Troy. It became evident that he will not be suiting up for the Wolverines in the New Year’s Eve ReliaQuest Bowl matchup against Alabama. Instead, his focus has shifted towards a professional career in the NFL.

Michigan's Running Back Donovan Edwards Sets Sights on the NFL

Donovan Edwards: A Five-Star Recruit with an Impressive Career

Edwards, a five-star recruit from West Bloomfield, made a significant impact during his time at Michigan. In 2024, he ranked second on the Wolverines in carries with 128, amassing 589 rushing yards and scoring four rushing touchdowns. His performance was expected to lead him to declare for the 2025 NFL draft soon, following in the footsteps of fellow teammates like defensive tackle Mason Graham, tight end Colston Loveland, and offensive lineman Myles Hinton, who all made their decisions last week.Edwards ends his career second all-time in receiving yards among Michigan running backs with 797, trailing just behind Anthony Thomas (810) by 13 yards. His freshman year saw him catch 20 passes for 265 yards, and as a sophomore, he added 18 more catches for 200 yards. Although his big plays decreased in his junior year, he was more involved in the pass game than ever before, with 30 catches for 249 yards. This season, he had 18 catches for 83 receiving yards.Throughout his career, Edwards lived up to his five-star recruit status at certain points. He accumulated more than 3,000 all-purpose yards and scored 23 touchdowns, winning three Big Ten championships, a Rose Bowl, and a national title. He also achieved a remarkable 4-0 record against Ohio State, with one of the most historic games being his first career start against the Buckeyes in 2022. In that game, he stepped in for an injured Blake Corum and ran 22 times for 216 yards and two touchdowns, both in the fourth quarter, securing Michigan's first win in Columbus in over two decades.After that game, he followed it up with 189 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown in the Big Ten championship game against Purdue. His running ability and contributions on the field have left a lasting mark on Michigan football.Tony Garcia is the Michigan Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. You can reach him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.