Big Ten Coach Put in the Same League as Nick Saban by Ex-Alabama Running Back
Michigan Wolverines transfer Justice Haynes has already played under Nick Saban and now sees some similar traits in Sherrone Moore's coaching style.
Advertisement
The 20-year-old halfback played two seasons with the Alabama Crimson Tide from 2023-24. In his freshman and lone season under Saban he rushed for 168 yards and two touchdowns.
In his sophomore season following Saban's retirement and under new coach Kalen DeBoer, Haynes improved by recording 448 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Haynes added 99 receiving yards out of the backfield.
He announced his transfer to Michigan on Jan. 3 as the transfer portal's No. 1 halfback and has been in the midst of the Wolverines training camp, where drew comparisons between Saban and Moore during an interview.
'He reminds me of a young coach Saban in a lot of ways,' Haynes told On3 reporter Peter Nakos on Thursday. 'He's going to kick it with you. He's going to have fun with you, but then there is also a time to be serious and a time to be disciplined.'
Advertisement
Saban was well known for prioritizing discipline and preparation throughout training, and it seems Moore does the same.
'Everything is discipline-oriented around there,' Haynes added. 'We train differently from anyone else in the country. We work harder than anyone in the country, and we're all about running the ball and stopping the run.'
Michigan Wolverines running back Justice Haynes (22).Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Moore's team revolves around developing a strong run defense and rushing offense. Last season, the Wolverines went 8-5 and took down fellow powerhouses Ohio State (13-10) on Nov. 30 and Alabama (19-13) in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Dec. 31.
Michigan's running back room rushed for a combined total of 2,043 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. Meanwhile, their rushing defense recorded 744 total tackles and 460 solo tackles.
Advertisement
'That's what we pride ourselves on, and that's what led to my decision,' Haynes continued.
Michigan Wolverines head football coach Sherrone Moore.© Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Heading into the upcoming season, the Wolverines are expected to have a solid year, with Haynes taking carries out of the backfield to help the offense reach new heights.
'I knew they were going to value the running back position, and I knew I could thrive in the offense,' he concluded.
Michigan opens its season against the New Mexico Lobos on Aug. 30 inside Michigan Stadium.
Related: Michigan Takes Subtle Dig at Ohio State With Bryce Underwood in Latest Social Media Post
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Lions haven't had "any intense talks" with Aidan Hutchinson yet
The Lions want to sign star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson to a contract extension, but they have not had any "intense talks" yet. 'Look, we'll definitely get some dialogue going soon here, but those things take time, especially the larger the deal is," General Manager Brad Holmes said Wednesday on 97.1 The Ticket. Holmes said at the Scouting Combine that the Lions were in the "planning stages" for a Hutchinson extension. Since then, edge rushers Maxx Crosby (three years, $106.5 million), Myles Garrett (four years, $160 million) and T.J. Watt (three years, $123 million) have signed extensions. Hutchinson is scheduled to make $5.575 million this year and $19.872 million in 2026 on the fifth-year option. In three seasons, he has 28.5 sacks and 65 quarterback hits. He played only five games last season before fracturing his tibia and fibula in a game against the Cowboys, but he has returned looking like himself. 'As the player, he's [Hutchinson] looked great,' Holmes said, via Ryan Mathews of 'I'm really not all that surprised just because of tracking him since college, since his early days at Michigan, he had that big injury [fractured ankle] at Michigan, and he came back, I think nobody would argue, a better player. I don't want to say it's exactly the same because the games haven't kicked off yet, but what he's showing in practice, the change of direction, the explosiveness. I mean, he's not [showing] any effects, but I'm not surprised when a guy like him has that kind of mindset.'
Fox Sports
4 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
2025 SEC Title Odds: 'There's Not A Real Standout Team'
College Football 2025 SEC Title Odds: 'There's Not A Real Standout Team' Published Aug. 6, 2025 3:06 p.m. ET share facebook x reddit link Can you believe it: The Southeastern Conference has four teams among the top 10 in College Football Playoff championship odds. Then, two more teams are knocking on the door of the top 10, and there might be a sleeper or two in the mix, as well. So it's no surprise that, for SEC championship odds, bookmakers expect quite a battle to see who takes home the league crown and presumably a first-round bye in the CFP. "The SEC feels more competitive than in past years. It used to be just Georgia and Alabama," Caesars Sports head of football trading Joey Feazel said. "There's not a real standout team, so maybe we will get some variance this year." Feazel serves up his insights into how bettors are playing SEC championship odds. Texas' Time? Texas has been in the SEC all of one season, but it was a pretty good one. The Longhorns reached the SEC title game, losing to Georgia 22-19, though still earning an at-large berth into the College Football Playoff. From there, Texas knocked off Clemson and Arizona State to reach the CFP semifinals, where the Longhorns' season ended in a 28-14 setback to eventual national champion Ohio State. For this season, Caesars opened Texas as the +280 favorite to win the SEC, and the Longhorns are now +260. That said, Feazel remains a little wary. "The Texas Longhorns are still new to this conference, but right now, they're controlling most of the money," Feazel said. Quarterback Quinn Ewers moved on to the NFL, which fully swings open the door for Arch Manning to start. That has early bettors quite enthusiastic. "They're banking on Arch Manning. He's the Heisman Trophy favorite. But is he gonna be that guy this year?" Feazel said. "He does have a high ceiling, but we don't know how low his floor is." ADVERTISEMENT Manning got two starts last year, when Ewers was out with an oblique injury. Those starts came against two overmatched teams: Louisiana-Monroe, in a 51-3 blowout, and Mississippi State, in a 35-13 victory. Joel Klatt on Ohio State-Texas, teams that can win it all and Belichick-UNC Close Behind Georgia is the +375 second choice in SEC championship odds. As noted above, the Bulldogs won the conference title last year, getting a bye to the CFP quarterfinals. That's where the season ended, in a 23-10 loss to Notre Dame. Georgia has played in the last four SEC title games and won back-to-back national crowns in 2021-22 and 2022-23. With that success, though, comes a higher calling for many players: the NFL. "Every year, Georgia loses a lot to the draft," Feazel said. "There are question marks around this team, whether it will have its dominant form." Alabama is the +400 third choice to win the SEC. But as the post-Saban era hits Year 2, bettors aren't quite as intrigued by the Crimson Tide, who didn't reach the SEC final or the CFP last season. "Alabama still has its betting faithful, but there's less action than they were getting in the Saban years," Feazel said. LSU is expected to be in the conference championship mix, as well, and in fact has seen its odds notably improve in the offseason. Caesars opened the Tigers at +1100, and they're now +650. "We have a big Louisiana betting base. That's the case every year," Feazel said, adding there's plenty of belief in QB Garrett Nussmeier. "He will be one of the top quarterbacks drafted next year. The LSU faithful are coming in." Major Mover Oklahoma is a +2500 long shot in odds to win the SEC, but that's significantly better than where the Sooners opened months ago, at +6000. Feazel and oddsmakers at other books feel Brent Venables' squad could be an SEC dark horse. "Oklahoma has one of the hardest schedules, but is getting really good action. More action than you'd expect on Oklahoma," Feazel said. "The Sooners are not the dominant offensive team we've seen in past years. They're trying to get that back. "They seem to be a value play in the SEC, driving a lot of money." Patrick Everson is a sports betting analyst for FOX Sports and senior reporter for He is a distinguished journalist in the national sports betting space. He's based in Las Vegas, where he enjoys golfing in 110-degree heat. Follow him on X: @PatrickE_Vegas. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! share
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Matt LaFleur picks his favorite Jordan Love throw from 2024 season
Matt LaFleur's favorite Jordan Love throw from the 2024 season came in a losing effort for the Green Bay Packers. Kevin Clark of ESPN asked LaFleur for his favorite, and the answer came quickly. 'Definitely at Detroit,' LaFleur told Clark. 'They brought a pressure up the middle, we didn't pick it up. He was able to — I don't know how — he was able to evade the defender. Reset his feet, flip his hips, and his Christian Watson over the middle on a high cross.' Based on sheer difficulty, there is no argument against LaFleur's pick. Love had to navigate an immediate pressure, get into a throwing position and then make a near impossible throw while getting hit. The window he needed to hit was tiny. The chance of a turnover from a misthrow was high. But Love made it happen. Here are a couple of looks at the throw: No matter the angle, this was a special play from a quarterback. It required a bit of everything, including the athleticism to avoid a rusher and reset, and the arm talent to deliver a perfect ball under pressure. And it arrived in a big spot. The Packers were down three points in the fourth quarter against the Lions at Ford Field, and the 29-yard completion helped set up a game-tying field goal. The Packers still ended up losing, 34-31. You can listen to the full interview with LaFleur below: This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Matt LaFleur picks his favorite Jordan Love throw from 2024 season
