Physicality and brotherhood highlight Michigan RB Justice Haynes' adjustment to new program

After having the offseason to adjust to his new program, Michigan running back Justice Haynes, who transferred in from Alabama, is now fully indoctrinated in the way the Wolverines run their program with the season opener only a couple of weeks away.

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Hearing about what makes the program tick is one thing but going out and experiencing it is another. He was able to get a small sample of it during spring practices but fall camp is when things get turned up to another level.

Haynes has been more than ready to put the work in.

“Oh, we’re going to be physical,” Haynes said. “That’s one thing I would say. This program is built on physicality. We’re built on — just the work is the work. There’s no shortcut behind it. We’re going to go to work. We’re not going to talk about it. We’re just going to do the work and let the work speak for itself. But this program is just tremendous. I’m very honored and blessed to be able to say I’m a part of it, I’m a Michigan man now, and to be part of such a prestigious program. Just everyone in this building, we all just continue to keep coming together and pushing each other.”

The adjustment period for Haynes was a breeze, as he was thankful to have a previous connection with running backs coach Tony Alford and having a host he was able to connect with in fellow back Jordan Marshall.

It’s not easy to come into an established program and find your voice but Haynes got in where he fit in and was quickly accepted as a voice of leadership with his play on the field and his actions off it.

It’s always a two-way street, however, when you lead by example.

“I think when I first came on my visit, I connected well with Jordan,” Haynes said. “He hosted me. So that was really cool. T.A., I’ve known him for five years now, you know, going back to when I was getting recruited, probably longer than that. So the relationship we built was always great when I was getting recruited. He made it hard for me to say no to him when I was getting recruited. And then just crazy how it comes out full circle. 

“But I think just coming in, I just try to lead any way I possibly can. But I think leading starts first with just the work that you put in and just leading by example. And so I just did that. And then just trying to help them any way I possibly can with using my voice. But they are also helping me with using their voice, seeing things that maybe I don’t see, and me telling them things that I don’t see.”