Justice Haynes

NFL Draft Profile: Justice Haynes

Position: Running Back | School: Michigan (via Alabama) | Class: Junior

Height: 5’11” | Weight: 210 lbs | Archetype: 3-Down Back

College Career Summary

Justice Haynes arrived at Michigan for the 2025 season with immense expectations after two years at Alabama. While he shared the backfield in Tuscaloosa, his transfer to Ann Arbor allowed him to emerge as the focal point of the Wolverines' offense. Haynes proved to be a "home-run" threat, recording a 75-yard touchdown run in two separate games and averaging a staggering 7.1 yards per carry.

His 2025 campaign was dominant but unfortunately shortened by a foot injury suffered in late October against Michigan State. Before the injury, Haynes was the engine of the Michigan offense, amassing 857 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in just seven games. Despite missing the final stretch of the regular season, he is widely regarded as a top-tier prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft due to his elite contact balance and NFL bloodlines (son of former NFL RB Verron Haynes).

2025 Season Statistical Highlights

• Rushing: 121 carries, 857 Yds, 10 TD (7.1 avg)

• Receiving: 13 Rec, 50 Yds, 0 TD

• Total Scrimmage Yards: 907

2025 Game-by-Game Grades

Week	Opponent	Stats (Rush/Yds/TD)	Grade	Scout's Notes
1	vs New Mexico	16/159/3	A+	Explosive debut; averaged 9.9 YPC and dominated in the red zone.
2	@ #8 Oklahoma	19/125/1	A	The Big Stage. Ripped off a 75-yard TD; showed elite speed vs SEC-caliber talent.
3	vs Central Mich.	14/104/1	A-	Clinical performance; stayed "on schedule" throughout.
4	@ Nebraska	17/149/1	A+	Efficiency King. Another 75-yarder; displayed elite vision through the hole.
5	vs Wisconsin	19/117/2	A	Blue-collar work against a physical front; 6.2 YPC.
6	@ #16 USC	10/51/0	C+	Stifled by USC's speed; offense struggled to find rhythm.
7	@ Michigan State	26/152/2	A-	The Closer. Career high in carries; suffered foot injury late in the 4th.
8-12	Various	—	N/A	Out (Foot Surgery/Recovery).

Scouting Grade Rubric

Intangibles (.20) — Grade: 94/100

• Leadership: Highly respected in the huddle; praised by Sherrone Moore for his maturity as a transfer leader.

• Mental Toughness: Faced high pressure as an Alabama-to-Michigan transfer and lived up to the billing instantly.

• Competitor: Runs with an aggressive, "finish the drive" mentality.

• Star Power: Statistically the most impactful player on the Michigan offense when healthy.

Physical Tools (.20) — Grade: 88/100

• Height/Weight: 5'11", 210 lbs. Slightly under the 215 lbs target but possesses a dense, muscular build.

• Stamina: Proven ability to carry the load (26 carries vs MSU) without losing burst.

• Durability/Injury History: Ruled out for the final 5 games of 2025 with a foot injury requiring surgery. This will be a primary focus for NFL medical checks.

Attributes (.20) — Grade: 91/100

• Ball Security: Very reliable; only one fumble on 121 attempts in 2025.

• Vision: Patient runner who waits for pulling guards; elite at finding the cutback lane.

• Contact Balance: Elite. One of the best in the class at absorbing hits and staying upright.

• Catching: Consistent but underutilized at Michigan (3.8 yards per reception).

• Pass Block: Strong effort and awareness, though technique against NFL-speed blitzers is still maturing.

Athleticism (.20) — Grade: 95/100

• Speed: Track-verified speed in HS; shows legitimate "house-call" ability (multiple 75-yard runs).

• Agility/COD: Sudden in his movements; can make defenders miss in the hole with a single plant.

• Acceleration: Reaches top speed rapidly; his burst through the line of scrimmage is a standout trait.

• Break Tackle: Punishing finisher; uses a low center of gravity to drive through arm tackles.

IQ (.20) — Grade: 93/100

• Awareness: Excellent pre-snap awareness; understands defensive fronts and adjusts his path accordingly.

NFL Scouting Report

• Strengths: Elite big-play ability; exceptional contact balance; high-IQ runner with "NFL bloodlines"; versatile enough to stay on the field for all three downs.

• Weaknesses: 2025 season ended with major foot surgery (medical red flag); limited production as a pure pass-catcher; occasionally searches for the home run instead of taking the easy 4 yards.

• Scheme Fit: Ideal for a Zone-Run scheme that allows him to use his vision and one-cut acceleration (e.g., Rams, 49ers, Dolphins).

• NFL Comparison: Josh Jacobs / Sony Michel.

Scout's Final Word

"Justice Haynes is a 'traits-heavy' back who plays with a rare combination of power and breakaway speed. His 7.1 yards per carry in the Big Ten is a testament to his elite vision. While the late-season foot injury is a concern, his tape from the first half of 2025 is arguably the best of any RB in the country. He has 'feature back' written all over him. Projected: Round 1–2."