Justice Haynes Joins Georgia Tech As Mike Hart Heads To Boston College

As the 2025 college football season nears its dramatic conclusion with just one game left on the calendar, the sport is already buzzing with seismic shifts off the field. From headline-grabbing player transfers to high-profile coaching moves, the NCAA landscape is evolving rapidly. Two former Michigan Wolverines—a dynamic running back and an iconic coach—are at the center of this week’s biggest stories, each making bold moves that could reshape the fortunes of their new teams for 2026 and beyond.

Justice Haynes, a name that Michigan fans grew to revere in 2025, is officially on the move. After a standout yet injury-shortened campaign in Ann Arbor, Haynes entered the NCAA transfer portal when it opened on January 2, 2026, joining the ranks of thousands of players seeking new opportunities. Despite playing only seven games due to injury, Haynes racked up an impressive 857 rushing yards and notched 10 touchdowns for the Wolverines. His explosive performances, even in limited action, made him one of the most coveted backs in the portal this winter.

On Wednesday, January 14, Haynes made his decision—and it’s one that could tilt the balance of power in the ACC. He signed with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, instantly becoming the centerpiece of head coach Brent Key’s ground game for the upcoming season. The move was met with excitement in Atlanta, where the Yellow Jackets have been searching for a reliable answer at running back following the departure of several key contributors at the position. Haynes’ arrival promises to reinforce Key’s philosophy of controlling the line of scrimmage and pounding the rock—a strategy that could pay dividends as the team eyes a resurgence in 2026.

The news didn’t just ripple through the Georgia Tech community. Bryce Underwood, Haynes’ former quarterback at Michigan, took to social media to celebrate his old teammate’s next chapter. Underwood shared the announcement of Haynes’ signing on his Instagram story, accompanied by a simple but heartfelt “22!”—a nod to Haynes’ jersey number in Ann Arbor. It’s a small gesture, but one that highlights the interconnected world of college football in the portal era. Former teammates, fans, and coaches now track roster moves with the same intensity as game-day action, and public acknowledgments like Underwood’s are becoming part of the sport’s fabric.

For Georgia Tech, the focus now shifts to Haynes’ health and integration into the offense. The coaching staff will be monitoring his recovery closely during spring practice, hoping that he returns to full strength in time to make an immediate impact. If Haynes can stay healthy, he’s expected to compete for the featured role in the Yellow Jackets’ backfield. There’s real optimism that he could become a cornerstone of the attack, giving Tech the kind of dynamic playmaker they’ve lacked in recent seasons.

But Haynes isn’t the only former Wolverine making headlines this week. Mike Hart, one of Michigan’s all-time greats both as a player and a coach, is set for another career move that has the college football world talking. According to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz, Boston College is expected to hire Hart as its new running backs coach. The news comes just days after Hart received a promotion at Eastern Michigan, where he was slated to serve as assistant head coach and wide receivers coach for the 2026 season. Instead, Hart is heading to the ACC, bringing his wealth of experience and proven track record to the Eagles’ staff.

Hart’s coaching journey is as storied as his playing career. After starting out at Eastern Michigan, he made stops at Western Michigan, Syracuse, and Indiana before joining Michigan’s staff in 2021. As the Wolverines’ running backs coach and run game coordinator from 2021 to 2023, Hart helped orchestrate one of the most dominant rushing attacks in the country. Under his guidance, Michigan captured three consecutive Big Ten titles and made a memorable run to the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship.

Perhaps most impressively, Hart helped develop Blake Corum into Michigan’s first back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher since Denard Robinson—a feat that also saw Corum set the program’s career rushing touchdown record with 58 scores over four years. Michigan led the Big Ten in rushing from 2021 to 2022 and finished third in the conference in rushing yards per game in 2023, a testament to Hart’s ability to maximize talent in the backfield. His impact extended beyond the stat sheet, as he also served as Michigan’s interim head coach for the 2023 showdown against UNLV, further cementing his leadership credentials.

Of course, Hart’s legacy in Ann Arbor began long before his coaching days. From 2004 to 2007, he was a four-year starter for the Wolverines, finishing as the school’s all-time leading rusher with 5,040 yards. A two-time Doak Walker Award finalist and a three-time All-Big Ten first-team selection, Hart remains a revered figure among Michigan faithful. He even finished fifth in the 2006 Heisman Trophy voting, underscoring his status as one of the era’s most electrifying backs.

Eastern Michigan head coach Chris Creighton was effusive in his praise of Hart, stating, “Coach Hart is a winner. He has the it factor. He selflessly helped us this year as an Offensive Analyst and made a positive impact. We know that he will be a major addition as Assistant Head Coach and Wide Receivers Coach.” While Creighton and the Eagles had hoped to retain Hart’s services for 2026, the opportunity at Boston College proved too enticing to pass up.

So what does Hart’s arrival mean for Boston College? The Eagles are hoping that his championship pedigree and knack for developing elite running backs will inject new life into their offense. With Hart now overseeing the running back room, expect Boston College to place renewed emphasis on the ground game as they look to climb the ACC standings in 2026. His proven ability to mentor and motivate players could be just what the program needs to turn the corner.

The transfer portal and coaching carousel have become defining features of the modern college football offseason, and this week’s moves encapsulate just how quickly fortunes can change. For Georgia Tech, the addition of Justice Haynes signals a commitment to building around a dynamic ground attack, while Boston College’s hire of Mike Hart brings instant credibility and experience to their coaching staff. Both programs are betting big on their new arrivals to spark fresh momentum as the 2026 season approaches.

With spring practices looming and rosters in flux, all eyes will be on Atlanta and Chestnut Hill to see how these high-profile additions settle in. If Haynes and Hart can deliver on their considerable promise, they could be the catalysts for dramatic turnarounds—and perhaps even more headlines—in the months to come.