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Michigan RB Justice Hayes to transfer for fifth year

Sam Cooper
College football writer

Michigan’s Justice Hayes will head elsewhere for his final season of college football.

Hayes, a running back, announced Monday that he will graduate from Michigan in April and pursue an opportunity as a graduate transfer. Hayes said that new Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh invited him back for his fifth year with the program, but he decided it was in his best interests to leave Ann Arbor.

“The four years I have spent at this institution have brought some great memories that I will cherish forever,” Hayes wrote on Instagram. “The fact that I will be graduating from the University of Michigan in April will be meritorious. I have earned team captain on numerous occasions, won respect from coaches and players, and most importantly played my heart out every Saturday. I truly appreciate the offer from Coach Harbaugh to allow me to return for my 5th year, but I have decided that I will choose another college to play football as a graduate student.

“I'm not an emotional person, but a few days back I cried because I knew it was time for me to move on. There will be people out there that disagree with this tough decision I made, but they won't be the ones that cut me checks in the future. I just want to continue to get closer to God, take care of my family, and be happy.”

The 5-foot-10, 194-pound Hayes ran for 213 yards on 48 carries in 2014 – both career highs – as a backup for the 5-7 Wolverines. He also caught 11 passes for 65 yards on the season.

Previously, Hayes gained 89 yards and scored one touchdown on 20 carries combined in 2012 and 2013 following a redshirt season in 2011. He also caught six passes for 40 yards in 2013.

Despite Hayes’ departure, Michigan still has some solid depth at running back in 2015. De’Veon Smith (519 yards) and Derrick Smith (471 yards), both juniors, will return. Additionally, USC transfer Ty Isaac, a redshirt sophomore, will be eligible to play while redshirt junior Drake Johnson (361 yards) rehabs from a torn ACL suffered in the season finale against Ohio State.

For more Michigan news, visit TheWolverine.com.

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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!