will be michigan's highest pick in a while
Exit Stephen Hopkins
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![steph-hopkins-media-day-thumb-646x430-119795[1]](http://mgoblog.com/sites/mgoblog.com/files/images/Exit-Stephen-Hopkins_C549/steph-hopkins-media-day-thumb-646x430-1197951.jpg "steph-hopkins-media-day-thumb-646x430-119795[1]")
Fullback Stephen Hopkins has left the team, according to all of twitter. That's unexpected. Hopkins had some injury issues early this season and was on the verge of getting Wally Pipped by Joe Kerridge but had seemingly fought his way back to starting before a pretty terrible outing against Ohio State. Seems like that was a breaking point but that's just speculation.
With Paul Gyarmati graduating, that leaves Kerridge and freshman Sione Houma the main options at fullback, which is fine. Kerridge seemed to be a better blocker than Hopkins anyway. Houma has played on special teams for whatever reason and seems like more of a run/catch threat from the spot if and when he sees playing time. In addition to those two guys Michigan is also bringing in Khalid Hill and Wyatt Shallman as H-back sorts*, so they're fine at the spot.
Hopkins leaving opens up a 24th scholarship in the class, with more attrition pending. Given the flurry of offers Michigan has issued in the past few weeks it's clear they're looking for another linebacker, preferably a SAM type**, and I would guess they go above 25 if they find enough players they like.
*[FWIW I bet a dollar Shallman is on defense by the end of his freshman year.]
**[I don't think this has anything to do with Cam Gordon or Jake Ryan. It's more about the freshman class. If Royce Jenkins-Stone isn't going to be a SAM, and it doesn't look like he will, then there is no one younger than Ryan on the roster who can play the spot. Even if they make the logical move and slide Mario Ojemudia over, they could still use another guy there before Michael Ferns arrives in 2014.]
December 3rd, 2012 at 3:15 PM | 
I heard rumors last
I heard rumors last
December 3rd, 2012 at 3:22 PM |
One of casualties of a
One of casualties of a
One of casualties of a coaching change. Happens I suppose.
December 3rd, 2012 at 3:30 PM |
I kind of doubt that he would
I kind of doubt that he would
EDIT: Well, just read the post at the bottom of the page which makes it seem like Hopkins is going to graduate from UM...so my original post was pretty much worthless. Well, more worthless than usual.
We ARE Michigan....COME GET SOME!!!
December 3rd, 2012 at 3:16 PM |
.
.
Why not at least take a free trip to Tampa first?
"I have three kids and no money. Why can't I have no kids and three money?"
December 3rd, 2012 at 3:20 PM |
Maybe he wants to start
Maybe he wants to start
Maybe he wants to start classes in january at another school and he can't do both.
December 3rd, 2012 at 5:08 PM |
Why not at least take a free
Why not at least take a free
Why not at least take a free trip to Tampa first?
More like, good job on doing this now to avoid a trip to Tampa, AMIRITE?
CoE Class of 2007
December 3rd, 2012 at 3:18 PM |
Perpetually completely surprised.
Perpetually completely surprised.
Best of luck to you Mr Hopkins. With Stonum, Isaiah Bell, Chris Rock, Timani Carter, Terrence Talbott, Ricardo Miller, and now Hopkins makes 7. 7 a year average. Even though it happens every year, every time I'm still completely surprised.
How many times have you been on the freeway and had someone fly by you at 100 mph then end up 2 cars ahead of you at the off ramp? What's the point? -Mark Harmon
December 3rd, 2012 at 3:43 PM |
OT: Chris Rock
OT: Chris Rock
Whatever happened to Chris Rock?? Seems like he disappeared before he even had a chance to do anything. Injury? Playing Time?
"Slappin' the Bass" - Matt Vogrich (maybe)
December 3rd, 2012 at 4:02 PM |
I don't think it was injuries
I don't think it was injuries
I don't think it was injuries or playing time. I get the feeling that he just wanted to go back home and didn't really buy into the Michigan program.
December 3rd, 2012 at 4:50 PM |
His high school tape wasn't
His high school tape wasn't
His high school tape wasn't very impressive. I wonder if Rock just saw little opportunity at UM to ever play.
December 3rd, 2012 at 5:18 PM |
Perhaps, but PT as a redshirt
Perhaps, but PT as a redshirt
Perhaps, but PT as a redshirt freshman defensive lineman should not be expected. If he left because of a lack of playing time at that point in his career, then he was borderline delusional. That's the biggest reason I don't really think PT was the biggest issue.
December 3rd, 2012 at 5:21 PM |
He actually played well in
He actually played well in
He actually played well in the Spring Game. I remember the announcer saying things like "Now THAT'S a football player's name".
i'm stingy with my fucks so i never gave one.
December 3rd, 2012 at 3:25 PM |
Good luck to him
Good luck to him
RT @younghopkins I love the U. of Michigan & everything it means to be a Michigan Man. I look forward to getting my degree.
Does this mean that he's left the team but not the University?
December 3rd, 2012 at 3:43 PM |
Hopefully
Hopefully
I hate to see these kids leave the team and not graduate.
December 3rd, 2012 at 6:03 PM |
Good for him to get his
Good for him to get his
Good for him to get his degree and best of luck to him.
Chaos is found in greatest abundance wherever order is being sought. It always defeats order because it is better organized.
December 3rd, 2012 at 3:29 PM |
Nothing but the best wishes
Nothing but the best wishes
Nothing but the best wishes for Hopkins. He accepted the move to fullback, gave it time, and played hard. I wish him the best in finding his way at RB and hopefully he'll be playing on Sunday.
December 3rd, 2012 at 3:33 PM |
I look forward to getting my degree.
I look forward to getting my degree.
I know that the vast majority of recruits to big-time programs harbor dreams of making it to the NFL, but the reality is that very few do. Stephen has the option of transferring to a lesser school in search of more playing time, but maybe he's figured the cost/benefit and decided the UM degree is worth more in the long run. I hope that's the case.
December 3rd, 2012 at 3:50 PM |
He could do both
He could do both
He could do both. He's a junior this year, and never redshirted. He could either graduate in three years this spring (no idea if that's an option for him academically) then transfer using the graduate school exemption to another school, where he would be eligible to play immediately, or he could attend Michigan next year and graduate in four years without playing, then transfer for a graduate year and use his fourth year of eligibility at another school. The only downside to the latter track is that he would need to pay his own way for his fourth year at Michigan.
December 3rd, 2012 at 6:33 PM |
Justin Brown
Justin Brown
transferred from PSU to Oklahoma for his senior season. He is still going to get a PSU degree while finishing his coursework somewhere else. Perhaps Hopkins will have a similar option.
Eating is murder.
December 3rd, 2012 at 3:35 PM |
Good Luck Mr. Hopkins
Of M's
Good Luck Mr. Hopkins
Of M's
Good Luck Mr. Hopkins
Of M's 27 man class of 2010 13/27 remain
Remaining:
| 1 | Richard Ash | DT |
| 2 | Courtney Avery | DB |
| 3 | Jibreel Black | DE |
| 4 | Drew Dileo | ATH |
| 5 | Josh Furman | ATH |
| 6 | Devin Gardner | QB |
| 7 | Will Hagerup | K |
| 8 | Jeremy Jackson | WR |
| 9 | Jordan Paskorz | DE |
| 10 | Jerald Robinson | WR |
| 11 | Marvin Robinson | LB |
| 12 | Jake Ryan | LB |
| 13 | Ken Wilkins | DE |
Left the Team or never arrived:
| 1 | Cullen Christian | DB |
| 2 | Demar Dorsey | DB |
| 3 | Stephen Hopkins | RB |
| 4 | Carvin Johnson | DB |
| 5 | Conelius Jones | ATH |
| 6 | Antonio Kinard | LB |
| 7 | Christian Pace | OL |
| 8 | Davion Rogers | LB |
| 9 | Terrence Talbott | DB |
| 10 | Terry Talbott | DT |
| 11 | Ray Vinopal | DB |
| 12 | Austin White | RB |
| 13 | D.J. Williamson | WR |
| 14 | Ricardo Miller | WR |
December 3rd, 2012 at 4:13 PM |
A few more in that list have
A few more in that list have
generated almost nil over the last 2 years. I hope they all stay and get a degree like Stephen but there must be risk of more exits.
Obviously thanks to Stephen for representing UM so well. Kudos for starting at FB & graduating at a top university.
"Everybody wants to be a hero, so to speak. But it takes everybody." - Charles Woodson
December 3rd, 2012 at 4:34 PM |
We've gotten some great
We've gotten some great
We've gotten some great contributors already, but the majority of the remaining 2010 class has yet to make any real impact on the field. Some of them could break out in the rotation next year. I'd really like to see the remaining 13 stay and finish out their degrees. Still, I have to imagine we're in for another big recruiting class in 2014 with 5 or so firm handshakes going out to the 2010 RS class after next season on top of the likely 13 departing seniors, plus whatever natural attrition of 7 or so kids you never expect, yet always seems to happen.
How many times have you been on the freeway and had someone fly by you at 100 mph then end up 2 cars ahead of you at the off ramp? What's the point? -Mark Harmon
December 3rd, 2012 at 4:54 PM |
Interesting list. Except for
Interesting list. Except for
Interesting list. Except for a few guys, that was a really weak class.
December 3rd, 2012 at 6:12 PM |
NEVER FORGET
NEVER FORGET
Jeebus. We got commitments from 6 DBs and only one is still on the team (2/7 if you count Furman). NEVER FORGET
December 3rd, 2012 at 3:37 PM |
we'll always have
we'll always have
the time against ND he fumbled at the goal line and denard picked it up and ran it in, i guess.
/later,gottagetbacktothejerkstore
2013 resolution - make it onto the 2014 favorite MGoPosters post, not ironically
December 3rd, 2012 at 3:41 PM |
How about the fantastic TD
How about the fantastic TD
How about the fantastic TD against Nebraska last season that was called back because of a Jeremy Jackson face mask penalty
December 3rd, 2012 at 3:48 PM |
that is probably classier
that is probably classier
than what i had.
2013 resolution - make it onto the 2014 favorite MGoPosters post, not ironically
December 3rd, 2012 at 3:37 PM |
And so ends the running back
And so ends the running back
And so ends the running back class of Tony Drake, Stephen Hopkins, Dillon Baxter (ok maybe not, but everyone thought we were close when Carroll went to the NFL) and Austin White. We hardly knew...any of you. (Rivals lists Austin White having an offer from LSU. This surprises me.)
December 3rd, 2012 at 3:44 PM |
Also lost the entirety of the
Also lost the entirety of the
Also lost the entirety of the OL class when Christian Pace was forced to give up football due to an injury
December 3rd, 2012 at 4:04 PM |
The sad thing is, Tony Drake
The sad thing is, Tony Drake
The sad thing is, Tony Drake probably had the best career of any of them...and his career was very short at Colorado State.
December 3rd, 2012 at 3:39 PM |
Re: SAM
Re: SAM
Sam Webb, during today's recruiting roundup, attributed the recent recruitment of several SAM-types to information that has not yet been made public. (I'm paraphrasing.)
That would seem to indicate that there is something attrition-related afoot, rather than a sudden identification of need.
December 3rd, 2012 at 3:51 PM |
Also re: SAM, McCray is a
Also re: SAM, McCray is a
Also re: SAM, McCray is a SAM, so we will be bringing one in this class. He'll have at least a year to learn behind Ryan.
December 3rd, 2012 at 9:07 PM |
Maybe expecting
Maybe expecting
Jake MF Ryan will be around for only one more season?
Dave
December 3rd, 2012 at 9:45 PM |
That's not exactly "news"
That's not exactly "news"
That's not exactly "news" though, and I'm sure Jake Ryan isn't making the decision now to leave for the draft in a year. It's probably some more attrition that hasn't been made public yet.
December 3rd, 2012 at 3:41 PM |
Good luck
Good luck
The degree is the important thing. Best of luck to him.
December 3rd, 2012 at 3:48 PM |
Wish him luck. He was in a
Wish him luck. He was in a
Wish him luck. He was in a weird position with the transition, and injuries have not helped. Hopefully he'll either find playing time somewhere else or get his degree.
December 3rd, 2012 at 3:50 PM |
whatever you do, hopkins,
whatever you do, hopkins,
whatever you do, hopkins, just get that michigan degree. that's what's important. best of luck to you.
It's been a lot. Its been a roller coaster that for some reason seemed like it would never get good. But you know what? We kept fighting. It's like that old saying goes, "Those Who Stay Will Be Champions." -David Molk
December 3rd, 2012 at 3:59 PM |
I'm real confused. If he's
I'm real confused. If he's
I'm real confused. If he's staying to get his degree does the athletic department still honor his scholly even though he's no longer on the team? And if he's transferring how can he get his degree from Michigan?
I understand the decision - just not the timing nor the implication he's going to stay and finish his education.
December 3rd, 2012 at 4:07 PM |
Scholarships are a
Scholarships are a
Scholarships are a year-to-year thing, so I imagine he'll have his tuition paid through Winter semester if he stays that long. Then if he gets his degree, he should be able to transfer and play immediately somewhere else in 2013.
December 3rd, 2012 at 4:31 PM |
Thank you Magnus - that makes
Thank you Magnus - that makes
Thank you Magnus - that makes sense. So assuming he's tracking towards getting his degree in four years he could finish up the year, graduate and then do a Russel Wilson and finish his last year up someplace else.
The only thing I still dont get though is the timing of the announcement. He could do all those things and play in the Bowl game too. Why quit now?
Unless the staff told him based on his play against OSU he wouldnt see much playing time against USC perhaps?
December 3rd, 2012 at 4:53 PM |
Perhaps he didn't
Perhaps he didn't
want to do all of the practice and meetings.
If an OSU fan divorces his wife are they still brother and sister?
December 3rd, 2012 at 9:16 PM |
If that is true
If that is true
Stephen Hopkins has always been much more the scholar than the FB player. To be graduated in three years is unusual, to do so while maintaining top flight FB status at a top flight school would be all but unheard of.
Dave
December 3rd, 2012 at 4:25 PM |
I would think
I would think
if the athletic department wanted to I'm assuming they could honor his scholarship through the spring. However, once fall starts and freshmen arrive, I'm assuming Hoke would want to use that scholarship on a player who is going to play football.
December 3rd, 2012 at 4:00 PM |
non-rhetorical question
non-rhetorical question
Why is RJS not looking like a SAM?
It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future. -- Yogi Berra
December 3rd, 2012 at 4:05 PM |
WOTS is that he doesn't want
WOTS is that he doesn't want
WOTS is that he doesn't want to play SAM. The coaches recruited him by telling him he could be like Ray Lewis, and that's what he wants to do - be a middle linebacker.
December 3rd, 2012 at 4:14 PM |
my question on RJS is has he
my question on RJS is has he
my question on RJS is has he even been able to put on the weight to play mike? he as what 210 coming in...he needs a good 35 lbs to even sniff that spot.
December 3rd, 2012 at 4:21 PM |
But that would still be the
But that would still be the
But that would still be the case at SAM.
December 3rd, 2012 at 4:22 PM |
You've gotta be just about
You've gotta be just about
You've gotta be just about the same size (or bigger) to play SAM. I don't think Jenkins-Stone will have much of a problem getting up to MIKE size, but it might not be next year. Demens was bigger coming out of high school, but he's also an inch shorter. Give Jenkins-Stone another couple seasons, and I'm guessing he'll be in that 240 range.
December 3rd, 2012 at 4:48 PM |
Well...
Well...
Whether he reaches ideal size or not, methinks he's backing up Bolden next year.
December 3rd, 2012 at 5:19 PM |
Eh, I think he'll be backing
Eh, I think he'll be backing
Eh, I think he'll be backing up Morgan. Either way, I think it's pretty clear that Jenkins-Stone will be starting the 2013 season on the bench.
I heard rumors last off-season that Hopkins was considering a transfer, but he decided to give it one more go. He came in and was told by Rodriguez that he could be tailback, and he turned into purely a blocking fullback for Hoke. This doesn't really surprise me at all.
Twitter - Recruiting Update: May 20