Michigan Wolverines running back Donovan Edwards has officially played his last game for the Maize and Blue.
The standout junior announced he will not suit up for Michigan’s final game of the 2024 season, a highly anticipated clash with Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl, as he prepares for the 2025 NFL Draft.
“I just have a lot on my mind right now,” Edwards told WXYZ. “I haven’t really had the opportunity to reflect but for the most part, I’ve always been grateful for all the support Michigan has given me.
“This place will always have a special place in my heart. I will always remember the cheers within the Big House.”
Edwards finishes his Michigan career as one of the team’s most dynamic playmakers, amassing 2,251 rushing yards, 797 receiving yards, and 23 total touchdowns.
Known for delivering in critical moments, Edwards etched his name in Wolverines history with a standout performance in the 2023 National Championship Game, scoring two touchdowns to help secure the title against Washington.
While Edwards did not elaborate on his decision to skip the ReliaQuest Bowl, it is widely assumed he will use the time to focus on draft preparation.
He joins a growing list of Michigan stars opting out of the postseason, including Mason Graham, Will Johnson, and Colson Loveland, all of whom are considered first-round draft prospects.
Edwards’s draft stock, while solid, is not as high as his teammates, who are ranked among the best at their respective positions.
Graham, a dominant defensive lineman, is regarded by some analysts as the No. 1 overall player in the upcoming draft. Johnson and Loveland are also projected to be selected early in the first round.
Michigan’s season finale against Alabama holds historical significance, with the two programs having faced each other several times in recent years.
The Wolverines defeated Alabama in last season’s Rose Bowl, a game that marked the end of legendary Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban’s career.
The ReliaQuest Bowl will feature a new chapter in the rivalry, as Alabama’s first-year head coach Kalen DeBoer, formerly of Washington, prepares to face Michigan for the second time in the postseason.
This matchup will also be the third postseason meeting between the teams in five years, with Alabama having claimed victory in the 2020 Citrus Bowl behind standout performances from then-quarterback Mac Jones and running back Najee Harris.
Michigan enters the ReliaQuest Bowl riding high after a thrilling upset over Ohio State to end the regular season, but the absence of key players like Edwards will be a major storyline as the Wolverines attempt to cap their year on a high note.
It’s no secret that this season hasn’t exactly gone according to plan for head coach Sherrone Moore and the Wolverines.
Having said that, their shocking victory over rival Ohio State paired with the commitment from star quarterback Bryce Underwood more than made up for the disappointment for most.
Needless to say, the future is looking bright in Ann Arbor. (Although some fans wish they could see Edwards suit up one more time in the Maize and Blue.)
Where do you stand on Edwards’ decision to opt-out of the game despite not being a top NFL prospect???
