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Donovan Edwards
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Donovan Edwards (born February 25, 2003) is an American professional football running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines, winning three consecutive Big Ten Conference titles and a national championship in 2023. Edwards is the only player in college football history to have multiple 40-yard touchdown runs in a national championship game. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the New York Jets in 2025.
Key Information
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Early life
[edit]Edwards was born on February 25, 2003, in West Bloomfield, Michigan, the son of Kevin and Donna Edwards.[1] His mother died from cancer in 2005 when he was two years old. He was raised by his father and older brother Kevin Jr.[2] Edwards' grandfather Charlie Primas Jr. won Mr. Basketball of Michigan in 1950.
Edwards played high school football at West Bloomfield High School, under head coach Ronald Bellamy, who would later join Edwards at the University of Michigan as an assistant coach. He was high school teammates with Makari Paige and Semaj Morgan. As a senior, he rushed for 1,502 yards and 30 touchdowns, leading West Bloomfield to an MHSAA division 1 state championship.[3]
In 2020, Edwards was also honored as the Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year,[4] selected as the captain of the Detroit Free Press Dream Team,[5] and won the Michigan Mr. Football Award. He was rated as a five-star recruit by 247Sports.[6]
College career
[edit]Freshman season (2021)
[edit]In December 2020, Edwards committed to the University of Michigan. He announced the decision on ESPN, choosing Michigan over the University of Georgia, University of Notre Dame and the University of Oklahoma.[7] He enrolled early at Michigan in January 2021.[8]
In the 2021 season, Edwards rushed for 174 yards on eight carries and caught 20 passes for 265 yards. He scored his first two touchdowns against Northern Illinois on September 18, 2021, a 4-yard and 58-yard touchdown.[9] In the first half of the Big Ten Championship Game against Iowa, Edwards threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to Roman Wilson, after receiving a backwards pass from quarterback Cade McNamara.[10]
Sophomore season (2022)
[edit]
In 2022, Edwards played in 11 games, with three starts. Edwards rushed for 991 yards, had 200 yards receiving, and scored nine touchdowns. He earned his first career start against Michigan State on October 29, and totaled 80 yards in the win. On November 26, Edwards led Michigan to a 45-23 victory against rival Ohio State in Columbus, rushing for 216 yards with touchdown runs of 75 and 85 yards in the fourth quarter.[12]
The following week, in the Big Ten Championship Game, Edwards rushed for 185 yards and one touchdown against Purdue to win the conference championship, and earn the Big Ten Championship MVP award.[13] On December 31, in the Fiesta Bowl (CFP semifinal), Edwards rushed for his third straight 100-yard game with 119 yards on 23 carries in the loss to TCU.[14]
Junior season (2023)
[edit]In 2023, Edwards played in all 15 games on Michigan's national championship team, finishing with 746 rushing and receiving yards, five touchdowns and a career-high 30 receptions.
In the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship, Edwards rushed for 104 yards, including touchdown runs of 41 and 46 yards. He became the first player in college football history, since the BCS launched in 1998, to have two rushing touchdowns of over 40 yards in a national championship game, and led Michigan to victory versus the Washington Huskies.[15][16]
Donovan Edwards (104 yards) and Blake Corum (134 yards) also became the first pair of teammates in college football playoff history to each rush for over 100 yards in the national championship game.[17]
Senior season (2024)
[edit]Entering his senior season, Edwards was ranked as one of the top running backs in college football by members of the media.[18][19][20] He was also named one of the three cover athletes for EA Sports College Football 25, joining Quinn Ewers and Travis Hunter.[21][22]
Edwards assumed the role as the leader for the Wolverines in 2024 and was voted as team captain, filling both the starting running back and leadership position held by his predecessor Blake Corum.[23][24] After a slow start to the season, in week three versus Arkansas State, Edwards rushed for 82 yards and scored his first rushing touchdown of the season; second total touchdown.[25] In week four against the USC Trojans, Edwards rushed for 74 yards and a touchdown.[26] In week six versus Washington, Edwards carried the ball 14 times for 95 yards and a touchdown.[27] In week nine versus Michigan State, Edwards accounted for 64 total yards, including the game deciding 23-yard touchdown pass to Colston Loveland in the fourth quarter, as Michigan defeated the Spartans 24-17.[28]
Edwards was injured in the final regular season game versus Ohio State, and opted out of the ReliaQuest Bowl. He concluded his career at the University of Michigan with a 47-8 team record, three Big Ten championships, the 2022 Big Ten Championship MVP, as a national champion, and was 4-0 against rival Ohio State. In his four years, he finished second all-time in receiving yards among Michigan running backs, and had more than 3,000 all-purpose yards with 25 total touchdowns.[29]
Statistics
[edit]| Season | Games | Rushing | Receiving | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Att | Yards | Avg | TD | Rec | Yards | Avg | TD | |
| 2021 | 12 | 0 | 35 | 174 | 5.0 | 3 | 20 | 265 | 13.3 | 1 |
| 2022 | 11 | 3 | 140 | 991 | 7.1 | 7 | 18 | 200 | 11.1 | 2 |
| 2023 | 15 | 1 | 119 | 497 | 4.2 | 5 | 30 | 249 | 8.3 | 0 |
| 2024 | 12 | 4 | 128 | 589 | 4.6 | 4 | 18 | 83 | 4.6 | 1 |
| Career | 50 | 8 | 422 | 2,251 | 5.3 | 19 | 86 | 797 | 9.3 | 4 |
Professional career
[edit]| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | Wingspan | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | Vertical jump | Bench press | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft 11+3⁄8 in (1.81 m) |
205 lb (93 kg) |
30 in (0.76 m) |
10 in (0.25 m) |
6 ft 2+5⁄8 in (1.90 m) |
4.44 s | 1.51 s | 2.58 s | 38.5 in (0.98 m) |
23 reps | |||
| All values from NFL Combine[30][31] | ||||||||||||
New York Jets
[edit]On April 26, 2025, Edwards signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent.[32][33] He was waived on August 26 as part of final roster cuts.[34]
Washington Commanders
[edit]On August 28, 2025, Edwards signed with the Washington Commanders' practice squad.[35]
Miami Dolphins
[edit]On January 2, 2026, Edwards was signed by the Miami Dolphins off of the Commanders' practice squad.[36]
Personal life
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Donovan Edwards". University of Michigan. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
- ^ Farrell, Perry A. (September 24, 2018). "Mom's memory drives West Bloomfield's Donovan Edwards". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ Purcell, Jared (January 23, 2021). "'They can't catch me': Michigan signee Donovan Edwards runs wild in West Bloomfield's state title win". mlive. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ Fisher, Jeff (May 15, 2021). "Donovan Edwards of West Bloomfield is named Gatorade Michigan High School Football Player of the Year". High School Football America. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ McCabe, Mick; Dunlap, Keith; Wilson, Wright (January 31, 2021). "Meet the Detroit Free Press 2020 football Dream Team". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ Brown, Brandon (January 30, 2021). "Michigan Early Enrollee Earns State's Highest Honor". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ Sang, Orion (December 16, 2020). "Donovan Edwards picks Michigan football on national signing day". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ Brown, Brandon (January 10, 2021). "Star Michigan Signee Donovan Edwards Goes Off". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ Zuke, Ryan (September 19, 2021). "Michigan RB Donovan Edwards scores first career TDs: 'There's gonna be many more runs like that'". mlive. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ Kosko, Nick (December 4, 2021). "Michigan RB Donovan Edwards throws 75-yard touchdown in Big Ten Championship Game". 247Sports. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
- ^ "Donovan Edwards 85 Yard Touchdown Run - Michigan vs Ohio State". Youtube.
- ^ Breiler, Christopher (November 28, 2022). "Edwards Makes U-M History Against Buckeyes". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ Garcia, Tony (December 4, 2022). "Michigan football beats Purdue for second straight Big Ten title". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ McMann, Aaron (June 12, 2023). "Michigan RB Donovan Edwards reportedly played through second injury in 2022". mlive. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ Hole, Isaiah (January 12, 2024). "Donovan Edwards' patience and faithfulness paid off in biggest moment". Wolverines Wire. USA Today. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ Wilson, Dave (January 9, 2024). "Donovan Edwards had his breakout game for Michigan at just the right time". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ "Michigan Wins CFB National Title". American Football Coaches Association. January 10, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ "Ranking college football's top 10 running backs in 2024". ESPN.com. March 8, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ Chadwick, Max (February 15, 2024). "College Football: The top-10 returning running backs for the 2024 season". PFF. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ Brumm, Luke (May 13, 2024). "Top Five for 2024: Running Back Edition". Mike Farrell Sports. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ Rittenberg, Adam (May 16, 2024). "Hunter, Ewers, Edwards share video game cover". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
- ^ "Michigan RB Donovan Edwards Joins "NFL Total Access"". NFL.
- ^ McMann, Aaron (March 20, 2024). "Michigan RB Donovan Edwards 'has a chip on his shoulder,' motivated in new role". mlive.com. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
- ^ McMann, Aaron (August 22, 2024). "Michigan football's 4 captains for 2024 aim to follow blueprint for success". mlive. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ "Michigan v. Arkansas State (2024)". ESPN.
- ^ "Michigan v. USC (2024)". ESPN.
- ^ "Michigan v. Washington (2024)". ESPN.
- ^ "Michigan v. Michigan State (2024)". ESPN.
- ^ Garcia, Tony (December 15, 2024). "Michigan football's Donovan Edwards opts out of bowl game vs Alabama". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
- ^ "Donovan Edwards Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ "Donovan Edwards College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ Breiler, Chris (April 26, 2025). "New York Jets sign Michigan RB Donovan Edwards as UDFA". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
- ^ Greenberg, Ethan; Allen, Eric (May 9, 2025). "Jets Sign 15 Undrafted Free Agents". NewYorkJets.com.
- ^ Lange, Randy; Allen, Eric. "Final Cuts Jets Move 22 Players to Reduce Active Roster to 53 Players". NewYorkJets.com. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
- ^ "Commanders sign RB Donovan Edwards, CB Darius Rush". Commanders.com. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
- ^ "Dolphins sign RB Donovan Edwards". Miamidolphins.com. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
- ^ Hole, Isaiah (December 30, 2023). "Donovan Edwards shares his Christian testimony, staying patient in 2023 season". Wolverines Wire. USA Today. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Donovan Edwards.
Donovan Edwards
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life
Family background
Donovan Edwards was born on February 25, 2003, in West Bloomfield, Michigan.[10] When he was two years old, his mother, Donna Edwards, died from breast cancer at the age of 38.[11] Following Donna's death in August 2005, Edwards was raised by his father, Kevin Edwards Sr., an educator and assistant principal in the Detroit public school system, and his older brother, Kevin Jr., who is three years his senior.[12][13] The family resided in the Detroit suburb of West Bloomfield, where Kevin Sr. created a supportive environment centered on faith, education, and perseverance to honor Donna's final wishes for her sons.[14][15] Edwards received early exposure to sports through his family's encouragement, as Kevin Sr. emphasized athletic activities like football, basketball, and outdoor pursuits as a way to bond with his sons and instill discipline amid their personal challenges.[16] This foundation, rooted in Donna's directive to "make the kids play sports," helped shape Edwards' resilience and initial interest in athletics.[11]High school career
Donovan Edwards attended West Bloomfield High School in West Bloomfield, Michigan, where he emerged as one of the top running back prospects in the nation.[7] As a senior in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, Edwards rushed for 1,021 yards and 17 touchdowns over nine games, while adding 153 receiving yards and three receiving scores, helping lead the Lakers to an undefeated regular season.[8] In the MHSAA Division 1 state championship game, he exploded for 257 rushing yards and three touchdowns in a 41-0 victory over Davison, securing West Bloomfield's first football state title.[17] Edwards was recognized as a Michigan Mr. Football finalist in 2019 and winner in 2020, along with earning All-State honors and the Gatorade Michigan Player of the Year award for his senior campaign.[18][19] He also excelled in track and field, setting personal bests of 11.05 seconds in the 100-meter dash and 22.56 seconds in the 200-meter dash, while winning the 100-meter event three times, the 110-meter hurdles twice, and the 200-meter once at the prestigious Mehock Relays.[20][21] Rated a five-star recruit by 247Sports, Edwards committed to the University of Michigan on December 16, 2020, during the early signing period, turning down scholarship offers from elite programs including Georgia, LSU, and Ohio State.[7][22][23]College career
Freshman season (2021)
Donovan Edwards, a highly touted recruit from West Bloomfield High School, enrolled at the University of Michigan as a true freshman in 2021 under head coach Jim Harbaugh. Primarily serving as a backup to Hassan Haskins in a deep running back room that included Blake Corum, Edwards burned his redshirt by appearing in all 12 games, gradually earning more snaps as the season progressed. His adjustment to the college level was marked by Harbaugh's praise for his field vision and ability to "hit the big ones," though he focused on learning the offense's nuances behind established veterans.[24][25][26] Statistically, Edwards recorded 35 rushing attempts for 174 yards and 3 touchdowns, averaging 5.0 yards per carry, while adding 20 receptions for 265 yards and 1 receiving touchdown, showcasing his versatility as a pass-catching back. His role expanded in key moments, including his breakout performance on September 18 against Northern Illinois, where he rushed for 86 yards on 8 carries and scored his first two career touchdowns, helping Michigan secure a 63-10 win.[3][27] Edwards contributed significantly to Michigan's postseason run, scoring a 1-yard rushing touchdown in the Big Ten Championship Game against Iowa on December 4, while also completing a 75-yard trick-play pass for a touchdown to Roman Wilson, aiding a dominant 42-3 victory that clinched the program's first league title since 2018. In the College Football Playoff semifinal Orange Bowl against Georgia on December 31, he hauled in a crucial 43-yard reception during a late scoring drive, though the Wolverines lost 34-11; overall, these appearances highlighted his growing comfort in high-stakes scenarios.[28][29]Sophomore season (2022)
During his sophomore season in 2022, Donovan Edwards emerged as a versatile and explosive contributor to Michigan's backfield, building on his limited freshman experience to showcase his speed and elusiveness in key situations.[8] Primarily serving as a backup to star running back Blake Corum, Edwards appeared in 11 games, starting three, and demonstrated his value as a change-of-pace runner capable of breaking big plays.[8] He recorded 140 rushing attempts for 991 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 7.1 yards per carry, while adding 18 receptions for 200 yards and two receiving touchdowns.[3] Edwards' breakout performances came in high-stakes matchups, highlighting his ability to deliver under pressure. In the regular-season finale against rival Ohio State on November 26, he rushed for a career-high 216 yards on 22 carries, including touchdown runs of 75 and 85 yards that sealed Michigan's 45-23 victory and clinched a berth in the Big Ten Championship.[30] He also contributed two receptions for nine yards in that game, totaling 225 all-purpose yards.[31] Edwards' impact extended to the postseason, where he played a pivotal role in Michigan's undefeated regular season translating to conference and national playoff success. In the Big Ten Championship Game against Purdue on December 3, he earned MVP honors with 185 rushing yards and a touchdown on 25 carries, plus a 75-yard touchdown pass, helping secure a 43-22 win and Michigan's third straight conference title under head coach Jim Harbaugh.[32] In the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Fiesta Bowl against TCU on December 31, Edwards led the Wolverines' ground attack with 23 carries for 119 yards and one reception for eight yards, amassing 127 all-purpose yards in a hard-fought 51-45 loss despite the team's overall offensive struggles.[33] His dynamic playmaking in these contests underscored his growing importance to Michigan's run-heavy offense, paving the way for the team's national championship run the following year.[8]Junior season (2023)
Edwards entered his junior season as the backup to Blake Corum, who had returned from injury to reclaim the starting running back role for Michigan.[15] This shift resulted in a diminished workload for Edwards compared to his sophomore breakout, where he had showcased his receiving ability with 18 catches for 200 yards and two touchdowns.[3] Despite the competition in the depth chart, Edwards appeared in all 15 games, making one start, and focused on complementary contributions during Michigan's undefeated national championship campaign.[8] Throughout the regular season and Big Ten Championship, Edwards' role remained limited, as he rushed 119 times for 497 yards and five touchdowns while adding 30 receptions for 249 yards—figures that underscored his patience amid frustration with reduced opportunities.[8] He averaged just 7.9 carries per game, often spelling Corum in short-yardage situations or as a change-of-pace option, which tested his resilience but allowed him to maintain team chemistry in the backfield.[13] Edwards' junior year challenges peaked in the College Football Playoff, where he delivered pivotal performances despite his backup status. In the Rose Bowl semifinal against Alabama, he scored both of Michigan's touchdowns on 3-yard runs during overtime, securing a 27-20 victory and advancing the Wolverines to the national title game. Then, in the CFP National Championship against Washington, Edwards erupted for 119 rushing yards and two touchdowns on six carries—including a 41-yard score on his first touch—marking his first 100-yard game of the season and helping Michigan claim the program's first national title since 1997.[34] These playoff explosions highlighted his big-game potential amid an otherwise subdued regular-season role.[35]Senior season (2024)
Edwards entered his senior season fully recovered from previous injuries, emerging as a key leader in Michigan's backfield and serving as the primary running back alongside Blake Corum. He started all 12 games, providing a steady presence in the offense and mentoring younger players while contributing to the team's balanced rushing attack.[8] On the ground, Edwards carried the ball 128 times for 589 yards and 4 touchdowns, marking a rebound from his reduced role in the prior year and showcasing his vision and burst through the line.[3] In the passing game, he added 18 receptions for 83 yards and 1 touchdown, demonstrating his versatility as a receiver out of the backfield and often drawing defensive attention to open up opportunities for his teammates. Among his standout performances, Edwards had 95 rushing yards in a victory over Washington. He earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors from the coaches for his consistent production and leadership. However, his regular season was cut short by an injury sustained during the Ohio State game, forcing him to the sidelines for the remainder of the contest.[36][37] Following the season, Edwards announced his decision to forgo his final year of eligibility and declare for the 2025 NFL Draft, capping his Michigan career on a high note as a projected mid-round selection.[38]College statistics
Donovan Edwards compiled a productive college career at the University of Michigan, serving as a versatile running back with significant contributions in both rushing and receiving. Over 50 games from 2021 to 2024, he totaled 422 rushing attempts for 2,251 yards and 19 rushing touchdowns, averaging 5.3 yards per carry. He also added 86 receptions for 797 yards and 4 receiving touchdowns, showcasing his dual-threat ability. Edwards fumbled the ball three times across his career.[3][39] His performance included strong advanced metrics, particularly in yards after contact, where he demonstrated consistent power and elusiveness; for instance, in select games, he generated over 20 yards after contact on limited carries, contributing to his overall efficiency.[40][39] Edwards' career receiving average of 9.3 yards per catch. Within the Big Ten, his 2022 season stood out, with 7.1 yards per carry leading the conference and ranking sixth nationally among qualifiers.[41][42]Season-by-Season Rushing Statistics
| Season | Class | Games | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Freshman | 12 | 35 | 174 | 5.0 | 3 | 45 |
| 2022 | Sophomore | 11 | 140 | 991 | 7.1 | 7 | 85 |
| 2023 | Junior | 15 | 119 | 497 | 4.2 | 5 | 46 |
| 2024 | Senior | 12 | 128 | 589 | 4.6 | 4 | 41 |
| Career | 50 | 422 | 2,251 | 5.3 | 19 | 85 |
Season-by-Season Receiving Statistics
| Season | Class | Games | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Freshman | 12 | 20 | 265 | 13.3 | 1 | 75 |
| 2022 | Sophomore | 11 | 18 | 200 | 11.1 | 2 | 41 |
| 2023 | Junior | 15 | 30 | 249 | 8.3 | 0 | 24 |
| 2024 | Senior | 12 | 18 | 83 | 4.6 | 1 | 18 |
| Career | 50 | 86 | 797 | 9.3 | 4 | 75 |