The Michigan Wolverines football team is eyeing a pair of top-tier running back recruits in the 2021 class that could add a load of depth and talent to the team’s backfield.

Michigan has its sights set on five-star running back TreVeyon Henderson and four-star running back Donovan Edwards — two prospects that are seriously considering the Wolverines, according to a recent report by MLive’s Ryan Zuke.

Henderson, a Virginia native, rushed for more than 2,400 yards and 45 touchdowns last season. He has offers from several top programs, including Clemson and Ohio State.

MLive spoke with 247Sports’ Brice Marich about the back and his elusiveness.

“He’s not a big running back, but he’s one of those, ‘You put him in a phone booth and good luck trying to catch him’ kind of guys,” Marich told MLive. “He’s like your home run threat. I know Michigan’s turned up the heat with him. He also went to their BBQ (at the Big House) last year, and one of the things he really stressed is he enjoyed working with Jay Harbaugh (Michigan running backs coach).

”He said he learned some stuff from him and he used it during the season and could actually see the improvements. So he likes Jay Harbaugh quite a bit, but Jim’s involved too. So it make sense.”

Edwards, a local kid from West Bloomfield, where he plays for former Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Ron Bellamy, is between Ohio State and Michigan. He rushed for over 1,200 yards and 16 scores a year ago.

With a couple of former teammates committed to Michigan in the Wolverines’ 2020 class, Edwards seems likely to sign with Michigan but Marich says it’s not a “slam dunk” at all.

If one or both of the backs were to sign with Michigan, it would mean a crowded backfield with studs like Zach Charbonnet and Hassan Haskins.

Chris Evans: Loyal leads to second chance

Speaking of that crowded backfield, Chris Evans will be returning to it in 2020 to add even more depth to the group.

After being suspended for academic issues last fall, Evans was reinstated in January. Several teammates spoke to Angelique Chengelis of the Detroit News at the NFL Combine about Evans and his commitment and loyalty to the program.

“You’re no longer on the football team, you’re no longer getting scholarship checks, you’re no longer allowed in the facility,” former Wolverine Josh Uche said. “Me and Khaleke are never in the house anymore, so he’s alone. He’s working three jobs, he’s painting houses, and he doesn’t know if he’s going to be let back on the team.

”It wasn’t a definite thing. And he just had to trust everything was going to fall into place and keep working hard regardless of what the outcome was going to be just sticking it out at Michigan. I’m so proud of him. I love Chris to death, and he made everything happen.”

Said Khaleke Hudson:

“Chris Evans coming back, that’s a big piece, that’s my boy,” he said. “Just seeing the things he went through. He was coming back late at night from his jobs and stuff because he wasn’t able to do school. so he had to have some type of income, so he was working jobs, working his 7-on-7 camps. It wasn’t good to see, but it’s good to see him coming back strong and he’s still the same person, he didn’t change. He seems like he’s hungrier.”

Evans not only adds another body to a rotation that could include the aforementioned Haskins and Charbonnet, but it adds experience. He has more than 2,000 yards and 16 touchdowns in his career.

Other Brews:

• Rivals predicted the result of the Wolverines’ quarterback battle this spring, suggesting McCaffrey will come out on top.
• Can you believe it? Dan Enos got another job. This time, however, it’s just as a position coach.