Justice Haynes Shines in Alabama Spring Practice — 5-Star Freshman RB Already Pushing for Starting Job

ANN ARBOR, Mich.—Michigan Wolverines star running back Justice Haynes has officially entered the NCAA transfer portal, setting off one of the most closely watched recruiting battles of the 2026 offseason. The former five-star prospect rushed for 1,342 yards and 15 touchdowns as a sophomore, powering Michigan’s Big Ten title run before announcing his decision on Friday afternoon. Why Haynes Is Leaving • Expanded role elsewhere: With Michigan returning breakout freshman Taylor Tatum and veteran Donovan Edwards, touches were projected to be split three ways in 2026. Sources close to Haynes say he seeks a “feature-back workload” to cement first-round NFL Draft status. • Coaching turnover: Running-backs coach Mike Hart departed for an NFL position last week, leaving uncertainty about Haynes’ development path. • NIL leverage: Programs in the SEC and Big 12 have reportedly presented seven-figure name-image-likeness packages, escalating market pressure for Michigan to respond. Potential Landing Spots 1. Georgia Bulldogs – Haynes’ hometown team recruited him heavily out of high school and just lost junior RB Branson Robinson to the draft. 2. Texas Longhorns – Head coach Steve Sarkisian is rebuilding his backfield after Jonathan Brooks’ graduation and views Haynes as a plug-and-play star. 3. USC Trojans – Lincoln Riley’s high-octane offense offers national-spotlight carries and a lucrative Los Angeles NIL scene. 4. Oregon Ducks – The Ducks return a veteran offensive line and rank top-five nationally in rushing efficiency, an attractive metric for draft evaluators. Impact on Michigan Head coach Kyle Whittingham now turns to Tatum, the reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year, as the presumptive starter. Michigan is expected to pursue portal backs for depth while promoting redshirt sophomore Savion Hiter to the rotation. Offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore said in a statement that “the room remains elite,” but insiders acknowledge that losing Haynes drops the Wolverines from a preseason top-three rushing unit to the middle of the Big Ten pack. What Happens Next • 48-hour compliance window: Haynes’ paperwork triggers a two-day period in which Michigan can attempt to re-recruit him with enhanced NIL terms. • January 18 visits: He is slated to tour Georgia and Texas, followed by Oregon on January 21. • Early-enrollee deadline: Spring-semester enrollment closes January 27, meaning Haynes must commit within three weeks to participate in spring practice. Scouting Report At 5-foot-10, 206 pounds, Haynes combines 4.39 speed with a 38-inch vertical, ranking top-five nationally in yards after contact (4.1) and missed tackles forced (62). NFL scouts compare his balance to Alvin Kamara and anticipate a Day-2 draft ceiling if he secures a full-season workload in 2026. Search Interest & Recruiting Ripple Since news broke, “Justice Haynes transfer portal” has surged to the top of national search queries, reflecting widespread fan intrigue. Competing programs now reshuffle scholarship counts; Texas recently paused pursuit of Wisconsin RB Chez Mellusi after confirming Haynes’ visit window. Bottom Line Justice Haynes’ entry into the NCAA transfer portal instantly redefines the 2026 college football landscape. Wherever the explosive back lands, his decision will ripple through playoff odds, NIL negotiations, and NFL Draft boards—making this one of the offseason’s pivotal storylines.