Michigan Running Back Justice Haynes Transfers to Georgia Tech After One Year with Wolverines

By Dan Hope on January 14, 2026 at 2:02 pm
Justice Haynes vs. Michigan State in 2025
Junfu Han/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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One of Michigan’s top stars from last season has transferred to Georgia Tech.

Justice Haynes, who was one of the nation’s top running backs with 857 yards and 10 touchdowns on just 121 carries in seven games last season before he suffered a season-ending foot injury, transferred to Georgia Tech on Wednesday after entering the transfer portal last Friday.

Haynes spent two years at Alabama before transferring to Michigan last offseason. Now, the Georgia native joins a Georgia Tech team that is replacing its top running back from 2025, Jamal Haynes (no relation).

He was one of three Michigan starters from last season to enter the transfer portal in less than 24 hours. Safeties Brandyn Hillman and TJ Metcalf, who both started in Michigan’s secondary last season, each opted to enter the transfer portal on Thursday. Metcalf has since committed to Tennessee.

Haynes was one of two Michigan running backs to enter the transfer portal last week along with Bryson Kuzdzal, the Wolverines’ No. 3 running back in 2025. That said, Michigan returns its leading rusher from last season, Jordan Marshall, who agreed to a deal to remain with the Wolverines for 2026 last week. The Wolverines are also bringing in five-star freshman running back Savion Hiter, the No. 1 running back in the 2026 recruiting class.

Note: This story was initially published when Haynes entered the transfer portal on Friday and updated when Haynes signed with Georgia Tech on Wednesday.


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