Stonum Dismissed from Team
Tom Dienhart @BTNTomDienhart 2m
Michigan announced on Tuesday (Jan. 17) that wide receiver Darryl Stonum has been dismissed from the team for a violation of team rules.
This will really hurt for next season. Hopefully Payton sees this as a chance at some early PT and switches to the good guys.
[Ed-H:
For IMMEDIATE Release
Wide Receiver Darryl Stonum Dismissed from U-M Football Team
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan head football coach Brady Hoke announced on Tuesday (Jan. 17) that wide receiver Darryl Stonum has been dismissed from the team for a violation of team rules.
"I love Darryl and wish him nothing but the absolute best," Hoke said. "However, there is a responsibility and a higher standard you must be accountable to as a University of Michigan football student-athlete. That does not and will not change. It's unfortunate because I believe he has grown a great deal as a person since the beginning of the season. My hope is that maturing process continues."
Stonum started 25 of 36 career games at U-M, catching 76 passes for 1,008 yards and six touchdowns. He also returned 62 kickoffs for 1,538 yards and holds the single-season kickoff return mark with 39 returns for 1,001 yards in 2009. Stonum redshirted in 2011.
"I appreciate everything the University of Michigan, Dave Brandon and Coach Hoke have done for me," said Stonum. "I look forward to continuing my football career down the road, but more importantly, right now I'm focused on graduating from Michigan this Spring. I understand only I am responsible for my actions. I'm sad about how all of this turned out, but I completely understand. I love this school and my team and will miss them all greatly. But I'll always be a Wolverine. I know I have grown and matured as a person over the last nine months, and I will continue to learn and grow every day. I want to thank everyone for all of their support, and I hope they will support me in the future."]
January 17th, 2012 at 4:06 PM ^
This is a big mistake. Stonum would've been our only legitimate deep threat. Big loss, wish the best for him
January 17th, 2012 at 4:07 PM ^
No man is bigger than the team. He was on his final chance and blew it.
January 17th, 2012 at 5:00 PM ^
This wasn't just some back up walk on bench rider he booted. By all accounts, Stonum was to be an integral part of the offense next year. Awesome to see that Hoke practices what he preaches and put the integrity of the program first.
January 17th, 2012 at 5:43 PM ^
I'd take a Stefon Diggs or Payton, Tell'em we got #22 open
January 17th, 2012 at 4:09 PM ^
The mistakes were all Stonum. Sad to see a good talent go, but it's not like we're trying to run a Dantonio program here. This is after, what, three probation violations and an additional arrest for the same thing he was originally in the doghouse for? At some point you need to cut ties, and this situation clearly wasn't working for either party.
January 17th, 2012 at 5:19 PM ^
Yeah that was my first thought... I'm sure he would have received the same punishment were he at MSU.
January 17th, 2012 at 4:17 PM ^
Not Hoke, not Brandon, and he takes responsibility for it in the statement issued. This is the right way to do things.
January 17th, 2012 at 5:21 PM ^
While it may hurt us next year, I'm very happy with this decision. Why? Cause it shows that Hoke is better than all the SEC dogs (and Dantonio/Tressel/Meyer) - in that he has character and he expects his team to uphold a value system. You break that and you're gone, especially when you've already been given a second chance.
Honestly, I'm surprised by this, but pleasantly so. He showed that football is not above all else, and I'm proud of that decision. I think that even though this will hurt us in the short run, it upholds the values of Michigan and I'm even more proud to be a Wovlerine today. And strangely, I think it may help us in recruiting - not only for Payton - but for future recruits who see the value in this.
January 17th, 2012 at 10:35 PM ^
January 17th, 2012 at 5:45 PM ^
Lets be real: He was ticketed for trying to get to his most recent judicial meeting while driving on a suspended license. No DUI, just driving suspended license. For this to be the straw that breaks the camels back, driving suspended to get to a judicial meeting, is a bit odd when an arrest for a DUI or breaking probation carries more weight.
Neg me all you want, i don't agree. He had been observant of his rules and was trying to get to his meeting.
January 17th, 2012 at 6:05 PM ^
I'm not so sure he had been observant of his rules, given that the judge said that he hadn't paid any of his fines from one of his previous arrests.
In any event, we are talking about a guy who 1) got a DUI; 2) briefly went to jail for not fulfilling his probation requirements; 3) got another DUI and 4) briefly went to jaii again for driving on a suspended license. He was very fortunate to even be on the team after #3. Some thought Hoke was being too lenient to begin with. It's clear now that Hoke meant for him to absolutely keep his nose clean after strike 3. He didn't do it.
January 17th, 2012 at 6:52 PM ^
There is a reason they suspend your license. It does not permit you to drive to court or a judicial meeting. I am sure there were plenty of people that would have been glad to take him to his meeting. He should've known that it was a bad idea to drive to a probation hearing with no drivers license. Sorry, but this was a dumb decision on his part if you ask me.
January 17th, 2012 at 7:49 PM ^
and here's an even simpler solution...don't get DUI number one...and in particular number two...and this is a non-issue...when you screw up, you need to make adjustments to your habbits...that includes perhaps an inconvenience of your freedom/personal liberties...which means NO DRIVING...thus a suspended license...that and the fact he could have EASILY made arrangements to have ANYONE else take him...had he not put himself in this position to begin with. From what I can tell in his response he manned up and took full responsibility. From what I can also tell, Hoke seems like the type of coach who sat him down like a dissapointed father who spelled out everything the coaches have tried to do, and in failing to meet those standards Stonum has essentially and sadly shown himself the door...I wish the kid the best, he's a great talent and I sincerely hope he can dust himself off and learn from what he's basically lost in this...
January 17th, 2012 at 4:06 PM ^
That hurts. Bad.
January 17th, 2012 at 8:01 PM ^
correct answer.
January 17th, 2012 at 4:06 PM ^
Talent doesn't always make you successful. Good luck wherever you end up DC.
January 17th, 2012 at 4:06 PM ^
He had his chance. Nobody to blame but himself really. Hopefully everything works out for him in the end
January 17th, 2012 at 4:07 PM ^
link?
January 17th, 2012 at 4:07 PM ^
Let's hope this young man can get his life back on track, get a degree, and succeed off the gridiron.
January 17th, 2012 at 4:07 PM ^
Not surprising, but I see us gaining 85% of all yards on the ground next year.
January 17th, 2012 at 4:09 PM ^
It's not that bleak. We have eight months to find a replacement. We'll be OK.
January 17th, 2012 at 4:17 PM ^
Not too worried, but I'm assuming Stonum had a lot more chemistry with Denard than most everyone else that would take his place. We still have plenty of options, though. I'm guessing J. Robinson will take his spot.
January 17th, 2012 at 4:20 PM ^
That may be but again, we've got eight months for Denard to establish chemistry with other guys. This is a lot better than losing him in August. Roundtree, Gallon and Dileo are back after getting significant time. Jerald Robinson is supposedly turning heads in practice. Jeremy Jackson has great size. That's five guys, none of whom will be a freshman, for Denard to get accustomed to throwing to over spring ball, the summer, and the fall.
January 17th, 2012 at 4:32 PM ^
is a HUGE loss. None of our other recievers come remotely close to Stonum's ability to stretch the field.
This loss hurts the offense as much as losing T-Wolf hurt the 2010 defense.
January 17th, 2012 at 4:49 PM ^
People talk about Stonum like he was this Braylon Edwards clone. I don't remember him catching that many deep balls. In his career here he averaged 13 yards per reception, which is not that great for a supposed deep threat. Yeah, it hurts to lose a guy with his experience, but it's not the end of the world.
As for Woolfolk and the 2010 defense . . . you really think it'd have been much better with him in there? I doubt it.
January 17th, 2012 at 5:14 PM ^
And who were the QBs throwing those deep balls to Edwards? Now consider the QBs that were throwing to Stonum in RR's offense (which doesn't throw down field as often as Borges does). This hurts the offense next year but it enhances the program and will help Stonum. The maturity he's learned is exhibited in his statement where he thanks everyone at Michigan and takes full responsibility for his actions.
January 17th, 2012 at 5:31 PM ^
Braylon Edwards had three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. It wasn't all the QB. Heck he was playing with a true freshman QB his senior year. I'd argue that Braylon made Henne look good that year a lot more than vice versa.
I look at Stonum as basically a standard-issue Big Ten WR. Perfectly capable of making plays, but not a rare difference-maker. His junior-year stats (49 rec., 633 yards, 4 TD) were good but not indicative of a rare talent.
January 17th, 2012 at 5:15 PM ^
to all kinds of strange personnel experiments like Gordon to FS so I think that losing Woolfolk lead to more problems than just the loss of one guys skill and experience. Of course we will never know, but I think his loss impacted a bunch of positions as a result.
Losing Stonum on offense and as a kick returner takes away the 1 guy we knew that had the ability to take it to the house on any given play. Defenses have to account for such a player at all times so even if Stonum is not catching the ball he had the ability to stretch the defense.
Our only hope at replacing him is if Robinson or one of the freshman emerges into that kind of player which is totally unknown.
January 17th, 2012 at 5:21 PM ^
Our 2010 D would have stunk regardless. Woolfolk was not a difference-maker. The guy had zero career interceptions. He's a good kid and it's a nice story that he's the son of an all-time great, but even when healthy he wasn't all that good.
As for Stonum, I don't mean this to be sour grapes, but I don't think the guy was nearly as good as people are making him out to be - and I felt that before he got dismissed. I mean really, we're talking about a guy who had one career 100-yard game and it was against UMass. Maybe he would have had a breakout senior season, but his career trajectory suggests that he was more good than great.
January 17th, 2012 at 5:17 PM ^
We won the Sugar Bowl without Stonum anyway, right? If you want to talk about replacing Hemingway, all well and good, but lets not act like we haven't already lost Stonum. We just didn't gain him back. Time for Roundtree to return to sophomore form.
January 17th, 2012 at 5:59 PM ^
Honestly, this could be a blessing in disguise. Maybe it forces Borges to go and implement an offense closer to Michigan 2010 using the slot guys more and less I formation, and maybe Roundtree has a rebound year. We'll see.
January 17th, 2012 at 4:08 PM ^
Saw this coming from a mile away after his latest arrest.
January 17th, 2012 at 4:08 PM ^
For IMMEDIATE Release
Wide Receiver Darryl Stonum Dismissed from U-M Football Team
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan head football coach Brady Hoke announced on Tuesday (Jan. 17) that wide receiver Darryl Stonum has been dismissed from the team for a violation of team rules.
"I love Darryl and wish him nothing but the absolute best," Hoke said. "However, there is a responsibility and a higher standard you must be accountable to as a University of Michigan football student-athlete. That does not and will not change. It's unfortunate because I believe he has grown a great deal as a person since the beginning of the season. My hope is that maturing process continues."
Stonum started 25 of 36 career games at U-M, catching 76 passes for 1,008 yards and six touchdowns. He also returned 62 kickoffs for 1,538 yards and holds the single-season kickoff return mark with 39 returns for 1,001 yards in 2009. Stonum redshirted in 2011.
"I appreciate everything the University of Michigan, Dave Brandon and Coach Hoke have done for me," said Stonum. "I look forward to continuing my football career down the road, but more importantly, right now I'm focused on graduating from Michigan this Spring. I understand only I am responsible for my actions. I'm sad about how all of this turned out, but I completely understand. I love this school and my team and will miss them all greatly. But I'll always be a Wolverine. I know I have grown and matured as a person over the last nine months, and I will continue to learn and grow every day. I want to thank everyone for all of their support, and I hope they will support me in the future."
January 17th, 2012 at 4:12 PM ^
Well, that went about as well as can be hoped for. Hopefully everyone meant what they said in the release.
January 17th, 2012 at 4:14 PM ^
Glad to see he can still get his degree, he screwed up big time though.
January 17th, 2012 at 4:08 PM ^
Well, nothing more to say except I hope he can turn it around and be successful. Good luck to him and I'm 100% positive we will be fine at WR next year.
January 17th, 2012 at 4:08 PM ^
I respect Hoke for doing this. I think it sets a standard that other coaches should aspire to.
January 17th, 2012 at 4:11 PM ^
As does Nick Saban, Les Miles and the rest of the SEC.
January 17th, 2012 at 4:36 PM ^
You really think he's only doing this as a result of Urban Meyer? Stonum was released from jail a couple days ago, and I don't think they were going to kick him off the team without talking with him first.
January 17th, 2012 at 5:04 PM ^
As I stated below, I'm just kidding around a bit since the Stonum cut is 100% lauded in this thread. While many of the same commenters have been flaming Meyer so hard for his recent cuts, which included a domestic abuser among other troubling things.
The poster above's words were so over the top, high and mighty and all that I just thought I would poke a little fun.
January 17th, 2012 at 4:08 PM ^
Well that wasn't what I was hoping for. Thanks for ruining my day OP
(but seriously Stonum brought this on himself, hope he learns from it)
January 17th, 2012 at 4:08 PM ^
Can't really argue with this, he had more chances than he probably should have. I guess he can try the NFL but that will be tough. Shame he couldn't pan out like we hoped. Hello Jordan Payton?
January 17th, 2012 at 4:08 PM ^
J Raddy on Wtka is discussing this now. I hope Stonum finds success in life.
January 17th, 2012 at 4:08 PM ^
Well, I guess that opens up a spot for DGB to commit.
/s
January 17th, 2012 at 4:09 PM ^
please
January 17th, 2012 at 4:58 PM ^
One Cleveland Steamer coming up!
January 17th, 2012 at 4:11 PM ^
http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/011712aaa.html
Oh well, was not here when I went to post it. Good Luck Daryl, and good for you for understanding and making the right kind of announcement and we will do our best to support you going forward as you need to do your best to help yourself.