2026 NFL Prospect Profile: Michigan’s Running Back Justice Haynes

Michigan lost two starting running backs to the NFL draft in 2025 and looked to the transfer portal for help in the offseason. Enter Justice Haynes—a transfer from the Alabama Crimson Tide, and so far, the combination of Michigan’s run-heavy system and Haynes’s running style seems to be a match made in heaven. 

Haynes has NFL bloodlines (his father was Georgia’s Vernon Haynes), and early on, he was compared by some scouts to NFL stars Derrick Henry and Josh Jacobs. He’s a hard runner, built for contact and gaining yards after the first hit. He’s 5’11” and weighs nearly 210 lbs., the prototypical size for an NFL running back. 

Strengths

Haynes is a mauler. He runs with elite contact balance and power, making him hard to tackle, and if he gets to the second level, he has the speed to take every carry to the house. He has great vision, making it easier for him to find holes and anticipate blocks as they develop with the patience of LeVeon Bell. 

But don’t think that Haynes is a one-trick pony. He’s a versatile player and can convert plays as a receiver or safety valve for his quarterback. Pro scouts and coaches will love this, as Haynes is a true three-down back in the making. With his combination of size, speed and power, expect Haynes to be a long-term starter at the next level. 

Weaknesses

Haynes shared the backfield in a committee while at Alabama, so he will need to prove himself this year in Ann Arbor as a full-time starter and a back capable of playing the majority of the snaps. Scouts will also want to see him in pass protection schemes a bit more to judge his suitability for that in the NFL.

Secondly, while Haynes has been lauded as a leader, this is his first chance to be “the guy” in the Michigan huddle, especially with a freshman starting quarterback. If Haynes can prove that he can be that leader in the huddle and perform well under a heavy workload, the sky is the limit for him. 

Conclusion 

Justice Haynes projects as a second-round pick in next year’s draft. He’s got high-end starter talent but needs to prove it on the field this year as the lead back for the Wolverines. Teams want players who can extend drives by gaining those extra yards after contact and can play on all three downs. In short, Haynes is that kind of player. He does lack the flash of Ashton Jeanty or Jahmyr Gibs, but he has the potential to turn into a Josh Jacobs at the next level. Much will depend on his final season in college, but based on his early performance in Michigan’s first two games, Haynes will prove to be a valued commodity early on day two of the 2026 draft.