How is Donovan Edwards Preparing for the 2024 Season?

Michigan running back Donovan Edwards is ready to take on the next season!

The 21-year-old recently appeared on The L.A.B. podcast with Jake Butt. He shared how the off-season has been going, some of his interests, and what he is doing to prepare for the fall. 

Edwards began by mentioning that he didn’t expect last season’s outcome (winning the College Football playoffs). He had even announced his decision to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft, but ended up staying one more year. 

It’s good he did, too. Or else, he wouldn’t have landed a spot on the cover of EA Sports College Football 25.

“I wanted to be ‘three and out‘ but I realized God has a different plan for me to come back. Being blessed to be on the cover of EA, to be a leader amongst the team, to rally and give back to the community and call myself a man of the people, I realized I made the right decision to come back.” 

A huge accomplishment like being on the cover of such a coveted game also comes with pressure. Edwards says he knows now more than ever that he has to do his “absolute best” and continue to improve.

Edwards addresses the skeptics

Some people may look at Michigan’s performance last year and point out that much of their talent has left the team.

However, Edwards stays unbothered. 

Despite several stars graduating, Edwards isn’t concerned. Even though players like himself haven’t been called on as often as others, he says he and his team are ready to take on that responsibility.

“I want to be one of those guys where my number’s called on [for] every single play and I want the coaches to rely on me…You want that pressure, you want that expectation,” he says.

He says he welcomes his teammates to push him, as well.

“We’re all corresponding, we’re all pushing each other to be the absolute best that we can,” Edwards says. “We’re going to overcome adversity. Whatever people are saying about us, we see it but we don’t care. It’s us against everybody at the end of the day.”

How the Wolverine manages his commitments

Edwards also discussed how he has been balancing his schedule the past few months. The running back mentioned his travels, workouts, award shows, and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) responsibilities.

Although fans may believe all of these aspects are enough to drive someone insane, Edwards says he keeps it “simple” and that he is locked in one thing: football. 

“If you’re not performing on the field, you’re not going to get the endorsements that you want or the accolades that you want so you gotta keep the main thing the main thing,” Edwards explained.

Edwards did joke about how his golf swing stays on his mind. However, being that the word he used to describe his swing was “inconsistent,” I don’t think fans will see him pursuing golf as a career.

Overall, Edwards says he is “ready to go” in terms of the 2024 football season. He noted some obvious jitters, but he says he has been consistent in his training. 

“I’ve been doing my absolute best every single day preparing for this season so you know I’m ready to get money,” the running back says.

Victoria Jonach is an aspiring writer and media analyst fascinated by the activities players participate in off the football field. Growing up in New Jersey, she is a New York Giants fan and attends Rutgers University, pursuing a career in Journalism and Media Studies. She writes for FirstRoundMock.com covering anticipated draft picks and their acts of volunteerism, entrepreneurship, and other interests that shape these individuals.