7 years ago today
Facebook now has a social media version of nostaglia where it brings up posts from the same day in prior years. Today my feed reminded me that on Feb 4, 2009 I posted about Denard picking Michigan on signing day. While I was excited about the commitment I had no idea what an incredible player he would become. Denard was a 4 star, but wasn't as highly ranked as some other guys in the class including Campbell, Turner, Forcier and Gallon. He picked us over Florida, Georgia and K State. I don't have any particular reason for posting other than it's about Denard, and because I hope and don't doubt with this staff that before long we'll see another player who generates the excitement of knowing that at any time he touches the ball he could break a big play (if he gets more touches on offense Peppers may already be that guy).
February 4th, 2016 at 10:54 PM ^
denard appreciation thread.
February 4th, 2016 at 11:00 PM ^
This thread: "Beaver Gone, To Conference USA"
http://mgoblog.com/content/beaver-gone-conference-usa?page=1
Here are some funny posts about Denard back then.
"Well we rank #1 in Decomitted players. This has to be unprecedented given no coaching change other than the DC this off-season. So paging Tom VH - what type of shot do we have now with possibly landing Denard Robinson who A) may be able to run the spread B) can switch to another position and get meaningful playing time because he's such an athlete or get back in the running with Tajh Boyd? I personally like Boyd much more than Beaver."
-MinorforPresident
Or this thread: 2009 Recruiting: Denard
http://mgoblog.com/content/2009-recruiting-denard-robinson
"I'd like to think that, in two years, Robinson develops into everything we hope and pray he can be, only he'll be overshadowed on this board and elsewhere by the Thorpe Award-winning play of Adrian Witty."
-Big Boutros
February 4th, 2016 at 11:11 PM ^
February 4th, 2016 at 11:45 PM ^
"I personally like Tajh Boyd over beaver"
Understatement of the century
February 5th, 2016 at 11:02 AM ^
February 4th, 2016 at 10:56 PM ^
February 4th, 2016 at 11:09 PM ^
Actually, if you remember, Denard was torn between RichRod and one...Urban Meyer, then at UF. Urban only wanted him at CB, but RR wanted him at QB. And the rest, as they say, is history...
February 5th, 2016 at 12:17 AM ^
Haven't we told a few players(Vic Viramontes and Zach Gentry stick out to me), that they could compete at the position they like, with a possibility to switch if it doesn't work out?
February 4th, 2016 at 10:57 PM ^
I greatly enjoyed seeing Denard's appearance at Signing of the Stars and seeing that enthusiasm again. Him and Rudock were like salt and pepper out there with Denard obviously being the salt, and Rudock clearly the pepper. Their matching attires were perfect.
February 4th, 2016 at 11:02 PM ^
February 4th, 2016 at 10:56 PM ^
It was great seeing him and Devin at the game though they deserved sooooo much more. Just imagine Devin with Harbaugh for 4 years...
February 4th, 2016 at 11:05 PM ^
There was a part when the BTN (or was it ESPN?) reporter asked Devin what he was doing these days. He just said he was still at it waiting for a call from the NFL.
Made me a bit sad during the moment due to the wasted potential.
Sigh.
Maybe John Harbaugh can give him a shot on the Ravens. They need receivers.
February 5th, 2016 at 1:12 AM ^
But he was the definition of a Michigan man. He commited as soon as he could never waiverd got his ass kicked weekly every damn game and just like his recruitment he never waiverd never griped about his Oline which in all fairness was emberrassing most of the time. He played injured all the time. I know the next time someone trying to be an ass or honest asks me What is a Michigan man? I will simply say Devin Gardner....
February 5th, 2016 at 2:31 AM ^
he could have been one of the all-time Michigan greats. All he needed was a decent coaching staff and a normal Michigan team around him. Even without that, his name is all over the M record books for individual game passing stats.
February 5th, 2016 at 9:28 AM ^
February 4th, 2016 at 11:00 PM ^
Other blasts from the past of that 2009 class.
Some damn good football players in hindsight. Damn good. One of them will be starting in Super Bowl 50 on Sunday.
| Player | Pos. | Ht | Wt | Caliber |
| Isaiah Bell | LB | 6-1 | 209 | 4 star |
| Will Campbell | DT | 6-5 | 317 | 4 star |
| Vladimir Emilien | S | 6-1 | 186 | 3 star |
| Tate Forcier | QB | 6-1 | 184 | 4 star |
| Jeremy Gallon | ATH | 5-8 | 165 | 3 star |
| Brendan Gibbons | K | 6-0 | 202 | 3 star |
| Cameron Gordon | WR | 6-2 | 211 | 3 star |
| Thomas Gordon | ATH | 5-11 | 199 | 3 star |
| Brandin Hawthorne | LB | 6-1 | 181 | 3 star |
| Mike Jones (281-330-8004) | S | 6-3 | 200 | 3 star |
| Teric Jones | RB | 5-9 | 186 | 3 star |
| Anthony LaLota | DE | 6-6 | 260 | 4 star |
| Taylor Lewan | OT | 6-7 | 272 | 4 star |
| Denard Robinson | ATH | 6-0 | 179 | 4 star |
| Craig Roh | DE | 6-5 | 230 | 4 star |
| Michael Schofield | OT | 6-7 | 272 | 4 star |
| Vincent Smith | RB | 5-7 | 159 | 3 star |
| Je'Ron Stokes | WR | 6-1 | 178 | 4 star |
| Fitzgerald Toussaint | RB | 5-10 | 185 | 3 star |
| Justin Turner | S | 6-2 | 186 | 4 star |
| Quinton Washington | OG | 6-3 | 315 | 4 star |
| Adrian Witty | CB | 5-9 | 175 | 2 star |
February 4th, 2016 at 11:12 PM ^
You have no idea how happy I am that someone picked it up quickly.
February 4th, 2016 at 11:17 PM ^
February 4th, 2016 at 11:22 PM ^
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February 5th, 2016 at 3:29 AM ^
February 4th, 2016 at 11:25 PM ^
You don't know how old I feel right now. Mike Jones, Chingy, Ying Yang Twins were all the rage back then.
This post combined with Dave Mirra's passing makes me feel ancient.
February 4th, 2016 at 11:38 PM ^
Schofield. He's starting cause of injury I believe. Bronco's fans aren't exactly thrilled with him IIRC.
February 5th, 2016 at 12:35 AM ^
Well I can kinda understand that...he seems to get beat a lot when I watch the Broncos.
February 5th, 2016 at 10:41 AM ^
He does get beat a lot and it's painful to watch the poor guy out there. You know he is giving maximum effort at all times but he looks like a turnstile on almost every play. The offense would be A LOT better if they had someone semi-competent at his position.
February 4th, 2016 at 11:12 PM ^
Adrian Witty is in the Superbowl???
(a joke, Schofield...)
February 4th, 2016 at 11:19 PM ^
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February 5th, 2016 at 2:28 AM ^
Now go get your fuckin' shine box.
February 4th, 2016 at 11:28 PM ^
February 5th, 2016 at 12:36 AM ^
February 4th, 2016 at 11:44 PM ^
Current NFLers:
Denard
Fitz
Schofield
Lewan
Big Will (practice squad)
Gallon is in the CFL
February 4th, 2016 at 11:50 PM ^
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February 4th, 2016 at 11:53 PM ^
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February 5th, 2016 at 7:46 AM ^
February 5th, 2016 at 8:31 AM ^
I sat in my dorm my freshman year following that class roll in. My buddy and I were giddy over Forcier for months, and then we got this ATH on signing day. Denard Robinson. I called my friend up and broke the news we just got another dual threat QB. Looks even faster than Forcier!
I also got pretty excited for Je'Ron Stokes. But whatever. I was young and dumb.
February 4th, 2016 at 11:01 PM ^
Never enough positive things to be said about Denard. He was a student athlete AMONG the students, enjoying his time, appreciating the experience of earning his Michigan degree. Hoping to see that smile back in Ann Arbor regularly for a long time.
February 4th, 2016 at 11:04 PM ^
February 4th, 2016 at 11:46 PM ^
without reminding everyone of the result of his very fist play as a wolverine; Have never seen anything like it before or since. He had many, many other great plays, but the nature of his very first and the result we'll probably never see again.
February 5th, 2016 at 12:51 AM ^
He fumbled the ball to himself and took off, nobody laid a hand on him. You knew right then he was going to be special.
February 5th, 2016 at 1:20 AM ^
February 4th, 2016 at 11:46 PM ^
February 4th, 2016 at 11:54 PM ^
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February 5th, 2016 at 12:30 AM ^
But I really love this, too... one of the best smiles, anywhere, ever.
..
February 5th, 2016 at 1:30 AM ^
I nominate this for my favorite. I'm sure there's a better quality video out there but this is the one I took after rewinding just to watch again and share with MGoBlog. The reaction is priceless Denard.
"Whaaat?! ... I'm just trying to compete with Desmond Howard!"
February 5th, 2016 at 12:57 AM ^
Denard is my favorite all time wolverine, followed closely by Mike Hart.
February 5th, 2016 at 2:03 AM ^
Regarding Michigan football... my immediate response was
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
February 5th, 2016 at 5:18 AM ^
Denard is the GOAT!
Plus, he was a shining star in an otherwise gloomy era of UM football.
February 5th, 2016 at 10:41 AM ^
he was so fast that his time just zoomed by :(
He was a joy to watch, on and off the field.
February 5th, 2016 at 10:44 AM ^
I really like what Peppers is doing but don't think he has any chance of doing even a fraction of what Denard did even if you moved him permanently to offense. And that is no knock on Peppers; Denard is a once in a lifetime talent.