When people think of the best college football player in the country, often, that’s associated with the Heisman Trophy. But that’s just one group’s choice, as there is another who gives a trophy to the player deemed to be the best of the best.
And in the 2025 preseason, one Wolverine is someone its committee is keeping an eye on.
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A former five-star, running back Justice Haynes languished during his two years at Alabama, sitting behind Jase McLellan and Jam Miller — both of whom were often second options behind quarterback Jalen Milroe. He moved to greener pastures in Ann Arbor, where he’s more likely to get significant carries, especially in the Wolverines‘ run-heavy scheme.
Michigan revealed on Monday that Haynes is on the Maxwell Award watch list in the 2025 preseason, as one of 80 players that the committee is keeping tabs on.
Though there is sometimes agreement between Heisman voters and the Maxwell committee, not always. Last year, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty won the award, and Washington quarterback Michael Penix the year before that. Neither were Heisman winners, but before Penix, both Bryce Young and Caleb Williams (in their Heisman seasons) did win the Maxwell Award. Even before them, there were some who won both, but it wasn’t a foregone conclusion.
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Haynes might have some trouble in fully capturing the Maxwell committee’s attention as he will be sharing the backfield with Jordan Marshall, who showed out against the Crimson Tide in the ReliaQuest Bowl. But still, the run game is likely to be a focal point for the Wolverine offense, especially as there are strong indications that freshman Bryce Underwood will be getting his feet wet sooner than later.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Wolverine RB Justice Haynes eyed for Maxwell Award in 2025
