Let’s go back to January 2024, when the Alabama Crimson Tide finally bid adieu to their long-time celebrated head coach, Nick Saban. The next person in line? Kalen DeBoer. A coach fresh off of leading Washington to a rare natty final. There was so much promise in Kalen DeBoer’s abilities, and people touted him to do great things. Cut to the end of the 2024 season, and DeBoer was seen struggling translating the hype into reality with a dilapidated 5-3 season.

Several things went wrong within the roster, which ranged from their offensive deficiencies to Jalen Milroe not quite fitting in the schemes. Less reliance on rushing schemes in general also seemed to be a massive concern. However, all that was to change in 2025 as DeBoer reeled in another coach, Ryan Grubb, as Alabama’s new offensive coordinator. The same coach who was his right-hand man in the run to the natty final. However, despite all of this, a crucial piece seemingly left the Bama camp.

For those still wondering, we’re are talking about Alabama’s 2023-enrolled running back Justice Haynes. A player who has so much potential and promise, but couldn’t quite find his rhythm and place in the setup. As a true freshman under Nick Saban, Haynes was a backup to stalwart running backs like Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams. Then came the 2024 season with DeBoer at the helm. Things looked favorable for the 20-year-old, but still, the story was the same. Even though he accumulated 448 rushing yards, 99 receiving yards, 5.7 yards per carry and seven touchdowns as the third-leading rusher, he was largely a rotational prospect for Alabama. So, he did what any top talent would do at the end of the season.

Transfer.

A day before Christmas last year, the player announced his decision to join the Michigan Wolverines. While not much was said at the time, the player finally seems ready to discuss his departure, it seems. As he gears up for the upcoming season under head coach Sherrone Moore, during a media conversation, a reporter asked, “Why did you decide to enter the transfer pool and what was so appealing about Michigan?” To this, the running back stated, “Just really…I’m a big faith person. I felt like God was calling me in a different direction in my life, and so I’m just relying on [the] plan that he had for me,” he said before adding:

“I’m thankful for my time at Alabama. It was an amazing two-and-a-half years I had there, being coached by Coach Saban, being coached by Coach DeBoer. Great people, great men. But Michigan…I fell in love with the place. I knew (running backs coach Tony Alford) from when I was getting recruited from Ohio State. I came up here, and this is the place I knew I wanted to be as soon as I got here.”

Surely, any college athlete would have learned much from coaches like Nick Saban and Kalen DeBoer. But when teams like Michigan come calling and guarantee you the top spot, who could resist? Haynes also explored various similarities between top programs like Alabama and Michigan, and highlighted the best aspects of both the teams. “I feel like it’s very similar — very similar program. Every program has its differences and the different ways they go about things. But very successful programs like Michigan, like Alabama, they all have a secret formula, a secret sauce that they all use. They put their own little taste on it, you know. And that’s what Michigan has here. Very regimented physicality. We’re going to work. Blue collar. We’re going to go out and ball. That’s what we do,” the player opined. Notably, it’s not just Haynes, but even Moore seems excited to be joining hands with his new player.

In a conversation earlier this week, the coach heavily appreciated the running back and said, “You see him as a guy that’s another leader on the team. He’s a leader off the field with how he approaches academics and his social life and everything. On the field, he has that mentality about him. You can see his experience and him playing in big games before and understanding the game and understanding the moment and understanding how to prepare. He brings that to that room and to the offense and to the team. It’s been great to have him around.”

Having said that, let’s look at…

Why did Justice Haynes transfer to Michigan?

Well. Justice Haynes joined Alabama for the 2023 class as a five-star prospect. He was ranked 24th overall and 2nd in his position. The level of talent he possessed was so immense that both Ohio State and Michigan fought for his commitment. Yet, Alabama and Saban’s recruiting prowess ultimately came up as the victor. Nevertheless, at the time, Ohio State’s running backs coach, Tony Alford, developed a relationship with him. Which ultimately got utilized when he transfer-listed, and Michigan came calling.

As Alford is the Michigan coach now, he helped the team and Sherrone Moore land the well-touted prospect. Now add to that Haynes’ friendship with the second-year running back Jordan Marshall. This was another factor in Haynes choosing Michigan, although Ohio State also tried to rope him in when he transfer-listed.

“I remember when I came up here, T.A. (Tony Alford) connected with me with Jordan Marshall. J. Marsh has been great. That’s like a little brother to me. I’m older than him, but he’s been great. The whole running back room as a whole, I’m just very thankful and blessed for the way that they’ve accepted me, brought me in, and been there for me.”

Well, now that the player has finally joined Michigan and is looking ahead, he will be joining some of the very best running backs on the roster, including Ben Hall, Micah Ka’apana, and Jordan Marshall. Furthermore, true freshman RBs Donovan Johnson and Jasper Parker would also be crucial in the depth aspect sfor the team. Although all of these RBs haven’t seen that many snaps, Michigan’s spring practices will be crucial for them to seal their place on the roster. All in all, Haynes is joining a team with immense potential and would look forward to his time with the Wolverines.