Mark Ingram on Justice Haynes: Michigan 'hit the jackpot ... Crimson Tide nation misses him'

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff is in town for Michigan vs. Wisconsin, and analyst and former Alabama and NFL running back Mark Ingram spoke with reporters about the Wolverines and more. Here are some of the notable things he had to say about junior running back Justice Haynes and more.

On if he’s caught Justice Haynes’ stellar start to the season for Michigan

“Of course. He’s from Alabama. Obviously, a change of scenery is doing really well for him. He’s balling right now. He has a blend of speed and power.

“They hit the jackpot getting him out of the portal, for sure, and obviously all of Crimson Tide nation misses him, but we’re happy to see him be successful, for sure.”

On how sustainable Haynes’ long runs are

“I mean, that’s the identity for Michigan, is being able to control the trenches. Dominant at both line of scrimmage — offensive line, defensive line. That’s their identity.

“I think when you have [freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood], his ability to run as well, that will open up some lanes for the runners, because you have to account for him and his ability to run the ball as well. That takes some eyes off the runner, that opens some running lanes for the runner. I think it’s sustainable.

“Obviously, 130 yards a game, I think that’s top. If you can consistently do that, you’ll be up for the Heisman, especially if the team keeps winning.

“Yeah, he has the ability, but just got to keep winning the line of scrimmage.”

On Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale

“Wink was my defensive coordinator when I played for the Ravens. So, he’s a good dude of mine. I was actually in the facility doing an interview with Justice Haynes yesterday, and I was like, I got to see Wink. I had to ask somebody to go get him for me, and we caught up for a few minutes.

“Big fan of Wink. Obviously, he’s done a great job with the defense here. He’s just a great coach. Great coach in the NFL, and he’s done a good job here for Michigan. He’s just a great D-coordinator, great coach and definitely a players’ coach. Big fan of Wink.”

On what it takes for a running back to win the Heisman Memorial Trophy (Ingram won the 2009 Heisman)

“You have to be huge. They say it’s a ‘quarterback award.’ Quarterbacks always have the highest odds to win it.

“But you have to have games like that, especially in big games, big moments. You have to have a good team that’s going to continue to win. If you’re on a three- or four-loss team and you have good numbers, you probably won’t be in contention. So, you have to have a good football team that’s probably one loss, maybe two losses — really in contention for a playoff spot and national championship spot.

“And, obviously, the stats to back it up. You run for 130 yards a game, you kind of have to have 2,000 yards, have to have close to 25 touchdowns and, obviously, do it in key matchups.

“Justice will have huge matchups. He’ll have Ohio State; that’s a huge matchup. If you have a big game in that game, and obviously a Big Ten championship game, that’ll put you right in the mix.

“But you’ve got to have big numbers and you’ve got to be on a good football team that is in contention for the playoffs and a national title contender.”