JUST IN: Back to last year: Donovan Edwards wants to lead Michigan State in 2024: “I’m still hungry for more wins”
Last week, the Michigan State football team left a significant portion of its 2023 national championship-winning squad in the NFL.
Not surprisingly, the Wolverines’ leading passer, rusher, top two receivers, top six offensive linemen, and leaders in tackles, lost tackles, sacks and pass breakups announced they are moving on.
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In addition to the six ineligible starters, a total of 13 starters or key rotation players with remaining eligibility declared for the NFL Draft.
Despite the plans for the season, Donovan Edwards was not in it.
On a team full of players who had outstanding seasons and improved their draft stock this fall, Edwards endured what he calls a disappointing season.
Despite a 104-yard, two-touchdown performance in the national title game, Edwards ran for just 492 yards on 4.
2 yards per carry and five touchdowns this season.
He finished the season with 249 receiving yards, but still ranked 29th in the Big Ten in scrimmage yards per game.
This is a decrease from last season, and a far cry from preseason expectations for the Dirk Heisman candidate.
Although he was happy with winning the title for his national team, that disappointment led to hunger, which contributed to Edwards’ decision to return.
“I’m still hungry,” Edwards said in an interview with Jake Batt for Champions Circle.
“The season hasn’t necessarily gone the way I wanted it to go.
And when you get on the biggest stage like I did, for me it’s like, ‘This is great.
‘” Again?
What’s better than working hard in the offseason and being able to do it again?
That’s my mindset.
I still have a hungry spirit and I feel like I’m one of the leaders of the team now and I want to convey that to the boys.
Now that we are all apart, we must continue to be together.
Let’s develop our young players and get older players like Carell and the guys I coach like Cole Cabana, Ben Hall and Jordan Marshall into the game.
That’s my way of thinking.
“We’re still hungry, and other guys I talked to like Tavierre, Alex Orji, Will, and Sealove are still hungry.
‘The job is done, but we.
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As Edwards points out, Michigan State will rely on him as a leader and the face of the team.
Other than Colston Loveland, no other player on Michigan’s offensive line has the experience or track record of former Top 40 recruit Edwards.
Edwards led all Power Five running backs in yards per carry in 2022 and had over 1,000 scrimmage yards this season.
Despite playing behind Hassan Haskins in 2021 and Blake Collum in 2021, 2022 and 2023, Edwards has over 2,400 scrimmage yards and 18 touchdowns in three seasons.
He was actually on Pro Football Focus’ list of top 100 draft prospects before deciding to return for his senior year.
Aside from the desire to project himself as a top-50 or even first-time prospect, the chance to earn a degree from Michigan State and spend another year growing up closer to family and friends (Edwards is a West Coast prospect) Bloomfield native) is an attractive return.