*** TheWolverine.com was on field level to watch West Bloomfield (Mich.) High take on Romeo (Mich.) High in the MHSAA regional finals. Of course, West Bloomfield is coached by former Wolverine receiver Ron Bellamy and features Michigan running back signee Donovan Edwards, 2022 Rivals250 athletes Dillon Tatum and Michael Williams, and 2023 offensive lineman Amir Herring. The Lakers picked up a 52-14 win and advanced to the state semifinals against Belleville next weekend.
*** "If I were Donovan Edwards, I wouldn't be playing right now. There's no point," we heard a fellow onlooker say at one point during the game.
Well, respectfully, you aren't Michigan's overall target in the 2021 class, an all-state product and a future impact player in Ann Arbor. Edwards is slated to enroll early at Michigan, and that hasn't changed, though he may delay his move-in date depending on how deep of a run his team makes. In speaking with Edwards following the game, there was no way he was going to NOT play. Wolverines' head coach Jim Harbaugh said on signing day that the No. 1 thing he likes about Edwards is his competitiveness, and we've said the same. Bellamy said that Harbaugh told Edwards he should be playing with his team (thus the three early enrollees still in the playoffs taking the field this weekend).
Edwards didn't play like a guy with one foot out the door, or a guy scared to get hurt, etc. He was all in for his team, just as he has been all season (we've seen him on several occasions). He went off for 235 yards on 19 carries including TD runs of 15, 7, 86 and 8 yards. He also blocked from the RB and WR spot, returned punts and completed a downfield pass, showing he CAN do it all and WANTS to do it all in order for his team to have success.
*** Edwards lined up primarily at running back and wildcat quarterback, and had success in both roles. He scored touchdowns in every which way — running over, through and by the opposing team. He's now scored 10 touchdowns in his last two outings, and has gotten better and better as the season has progressed.
He hits the right hole and finds cutback lanes when he has to, falling forward when he does get tackled. He usually gets to the second level and turns a play blocked for four yards to a seven-, eight- or nine-yard gain (or more), thus the Aaron Jones (GB Packers RB) comparison that our EJ Holland has given for him.
*** Tatum was his usual solid self, lining up at corner and nickel in the defensive backfield, while also playing wildcat quarterback, running back and slot receiver offensively. Romeo didn't have much success doing anything offensively, so Tatum wasn't targeted but one or two times, but he was lockdown. He notched an interception in the second half and has a knack for being around the football.
*** Herring actually looked to be in better shape than when we saw him a few months back, meaning he had a good holiday break in the strength and conditioning department. He projects as a tackle at the college level, and that's where he plays for West Bloomfield. He's looked raw at times — as expected for a HS sophomore — when we've seen him, but he appeared a bit more put together physically and technically on Saturday, and looks more like a junior now.
*** Williams had been hurt most of the season, but he suited up Saturday and actually caught a touchdown pass from the tight end position. He would likely be a defender for Michigan and at the college level, but he obviously has shown he can move around and make plays. He left the game after his first-quarter touchdown with what appeared to be a minor injury. He's an intriguing prospect that we'd like to see more of.
*** In case you missed it earlier, here's Edwards' postgame interview:
*** "If I were Donovan Edwards, I wouldn't be playing right now. There's no point," we heard a fellow onlooker say at one point during the game.
Well, respectfully, you aren't Michigan's overall target in the 2021 class, an all-state product and a future impact player in Ann Arbor. Edwards is slated to enroll early at Michigan, and that hasn't changed, though he may delay his move-in date depending on how deep of a run his team makes. In speaking with Edwards following the game, there was no way he was going to NOT play. Wolverines' head coach Jim Harbaugh said on signing day that the No. 1 thing he likes about Edwards is his competitiveness, and we've said the same. Bellamy said that Harbaugh told Edwards he should be playing with his team (thus the three early enrollees still in the playoffs taking the field this weekend).
Edwards didn't play like a guy with one foot out the door, or a guy scared to get hurt, etc. He was all in for his team, just as he has been all season (we've seen him on several occasions). He went off for 235 yards on 19 carries including TD runs of 15, 7, 86 and 8 yards. He also blocked from the RB and WR spot, returned punts and completed a downfield pass, showing he CAN do it all and WANTS to do it all in order for his team to have success.
*** Edwards lined up primarily at running back and wildcat quarterback, and had success in both roles. He scored touchdowns in every which way — running over, through and by the opposing team. He's now scored 10 touchdowns in his last two outings, and has gotten better and better as the season has progressed.
He hits the right hole and finds cutback lanes when he has to, falling forward when he does get tackled. He usually gets to the second level and turns a play blocked for four yards to a seven-, eight- or nine-yard gain (or more), thus the Aaron Jones (GB Packers RB) comparison that our EJ Holland has given for him.
*** Tatum was his usual solid self, lining up at corner and nickel in the defensive backfield, while also playing wildcat quarterback, running back and slot receiver offensively. Romeo didn't have much success doing anything offensively, so Tatum wasn't targeted but one or two times, but he was lockdown. He notched an interception in the second half and has a knack for being around the football.
*** Herring actually looked to be in better shape than when we saw him a few months back, meaning he had a good holiday break in the strength and conditioning department. He projects as a tackle at the college level, and that's where he plays for West Bloomfield. He's looked raw at times — as expected for a HS sophomore — when we've seen him, but he appeared a bit more put together physically and technically on Saturday, and looks more like a junior now.
*** Williams had been hurt most of the season, but he suited up Saturday and actually caught a touchdown pass from the tight end position. He would likely be a defender for Michigan and at the college level, but he obviously has shown he can move around and make plays. He left the game after his first-quarter touchdown with what appeared to be a minor injury. He's an intriguing prospect that we'd like to see more of.
*** In case you missed it earlier, here's Edwards' postgame interview:
