December 11th, 2023 at 9:45 AM ^
best wishes to him.
December 11th, 2023 at 10:57 AM ^
It has been pretty obvious about CJ as he did not even get PT in mop-up time this year to make sure that he has 3 years of eligibility left.
I do not understand the comments here that assume Edwards is going pro after this year. How many NFL teams want a RB who averages 3 yards a carry in college? Edwards has a lot of untapped talent that hopefully we can unlock in the CFP and next year. A great year running and catching passes in 2024 is his ticket to the NFL.
December 11th, 2023 at 11:03 AM ^
Sam Webb has unequivocally said that Donovan’s interest in going pro is much higher than his desire to return. I have always thought Sam was implying that any shot and Donovan is gone. I don’t know if Sam is correct or if Donovan may have changed his thinking since Sam last discussed this but it might be where people are getting the idea.
December 11th, 2023 at 11:07 AM ^
The NFL still recognizes talent, and frequently drafts players that have had a "down" year after a great year.
For perspective, DE is ranked 87th on the PFF big board. He's 106 on the CBS Sports rankings. Basically, he's a fringe day two prospect.
Now, that's probably not where he wants to be and certainly not where he could be if he had another year like last year in 2024. But he's likely to be drafted before the end of round four.
His decision may ultimately hinge on the NFL's evaluation and could certainly come back. But the NFL also sees what we all see: loads of potential.
December 11th, 2023 at 12:07 PM ^
This. I'm not sure how this board continually makes the conflicting arguments that Donovan Edwards is an AA-level playmaker if his potential is unleashed/used properly and somehow simultaneously not a prospect NFL teams would be interested in.
If he is as good as we think he could be, he's getting drafted in the first half of any draft.
December 11th, 2023 at 12:21 PM ^
Edwards will most likely be used like Deebo Samuel in the NFL. He is not a traditional running back like Blake.
December 11th, 2023 at 4:09 PM ^
I always think his comparables are Curtis Samuel and Parris Campbell, but I like the Deebo comparison better 😃
December 11th, 2023 at 6:04 PM ^
Edwards is gone. He said as much before the season.
Worse players than him have been drafted because of their potential. Edwards is probably a third-fourth round guy. I suspect that he will be moved to slot and used like a Deebo.
December 11th, 2023 at 9:47 AM ^
I'm glad I took a second look before hitting save. It sucks being 2nd.
December 11th, 2023 at 10:38 AM ^
+1'd for taking that look before hitting save!
December 11th, 2023 at 9:47 AM ^
Good luck to him. Wasn't ever going to make it here, so a change of scenery can't hurt. Maybe he'll make it big.
Never saw him complain either, which has to be hard at that age.
December 11th, 2023 at 10:43 AM ^
I think "He was never going to make it here" is a bit of a stretch. He showed some real promise his freshman year other than ball security being an issue. If Donovan Edwards goes to the NFL this year than i'd have thought he'd be fighting for the starting job or at least in the mix. Sad to se him go but hope it works out for the best for him.
December 11th, 2023 at 10:57 AM ^
Totally agree. He was known as being an incredibly hard working teammate, I was looking forward to his development after the promise he showed as a freshman. Hopefully this shows how much progress the rest of the group (Hall, Mullings, maybe Cabana and/or Dunlap) have made rather than being an indictment to him.
December 11th, 2023 at 11:09 AM ^
I like Stokes and think he has some talent. Hoping he has a Thomas Rawls bounce.
December 11th, 2023 at 9:47 AM ^
best of luck to him!
December 11th, 2023 at 9:47 AM ^
Makes sense
December 11th, 2023 at 9:47 AM ^
Bummer, I really liked Stokes but he got passed by quite a few people.
December 11th, 2023 at 9:48 AM ^
Not that shocking. Seems like at best he'll be the #3 back next year if he stays
December 11th, 2023 at 9:48 AM ^
Kid's got talent, but had trouble holding on to the ball and hitting the right hole. Best wishes to him. My bet is that he ends up at South Carolina.
December 11th, 2023 at 10:36 AM ^
Kid's got talent [redacted]. Best wishes to him. My bet is that he ends up at South Carolina.
Fixed it for you. Kid fumbled one time and had like 60 carries in his career at Michigan. I don't think it's fair to make sweeping generalizations like this.
December 11th, 2023 at 10:04 AM ^
Ya summbitch!
December 11th, 2023 at 5:00 PM ^
Dang. Good one! I should have thought of that.
December 11th, 2023 at 9:48 AM ^
Corum is obviously gone. Assuming Edwards is, too, Stokes would’ve had opportunities, and then some, in 2024–right?
December 11th, 2023 at 9:53 AM ^
Not necessarily. Kalel seems like he's ready to take the Haskins role and Cole Cabana / Benjamin Hall looks like they've either caught him or passed Stokes.
Even with the team's run first, second, and sometimes third mentality, there are only so many carries to go around.
I'm guessing this move was encouraged by the coaching staff.
December 11th, 2023 at 10:27 AM ^
not to mention Marshall coming in next year. Stokes saw a crowded RB room and made a wise choice to look elsewhere. Good Luck to him, he showed that he has talent...
December 11th, 2023 at 11:01 AM ^
Will Marshall be a true freshmen player or do you think he redshirts?
December 11th, 2023 at 11:07 AM ^
I would suspect that unless he "splashes" (ie pulls a Mike Hart), he will play in up to 4 games and then red shirt...
But I doubt is because we have such a deep and talented RB room so I would venture to guess that he is looking at 4 game and a red shirt...
December 11th, 2023 at 9:53 AM ^
I’m guessing this is the kind of thing that would be communicated between Stokes and the coaches. With Cabana and Hall waiting in the wings, it’s possible he’d be #3 again.
Edit: beaten to the punch by like 3 seconds
December 11th, 2023 at 10:03 AM ^
This has become a train of "um, actually"s, so I think you're good.
December 11th, 2023 at 9:54 AM ^
Definitely the opportunity, but Mullings is probably #1 and since RB is one of the positions where freshman can definitely start, I’d assume Jordan Marshall would be up there too. Cabana in the mix.
December 11th, 2023 at 9:54 AM ^
He's probably not assuming Edwards is gone and neither am I.
December 11th, 2023 at 9:55 AM ^
Even if Edwards goes pro, I would guess next year's top 3 is a combo of Mullings, Hall, and Marshall
December 11th, 2023 at 9:58 AM ^
Well, Edwards may not be gone, in which case alst certainly not. Assume he is though and you have your feature back as Kalel Mullings.
then he is fighting for snaps with:
- Tavvy Dunlap
- Ben Hall
- Cole Cabana
- Jordan Marshall (incoming 4 star freshman and Mr Ohio)
- Micah Kaapana (incoming three star but a home run hitter who may be bette than rankings)
- the Jim Harbaugh loves and inexplicable walk on RB so damn much player of 2024
- the next LB they decide is Haskins/Mullings
So…no not really.
December 11th, 2023 at 10:07 AM ^
Is Tavvy a thing now?
December 11th, 2023 at 10:21 AM ^
Can't wait until Tavvy wins a natty. (that sentence grossed me out as i typed it)
December 11th, 2023 at 10:36 AM ^
Lavvy Tavvy
December 11th, 2023 at 12:36 PM ^
Guys around the program call him that and have heard him referred to that way by some media types. May have spelled it wrong though?
Harbaugh said. “Tavi Dunlap, he’s got the skillset to do it. He’s continued to improve as a runner and lowering his pads when he gets to the line of scrimmage."
December 11th, 2023 at 10:24 AM ^
I would guess Dunlap is gone as well..been here 3 years? And barely sniffed the field
December 11th, 2023 at 6:40 PM ^
Stokes transferring has been over a year in the making, so not surprising at all. I mentioned last year there was another player. Dunlap is the other play who could potentially transfer. He’s worked extremely hard and his teammates love him. I believe he’s graduating early and will have plenty of time left to be able to play somewhere. It speaks volumes to me about how much the players respect Hart. Stokes has known he was leaving and stuck around, while getting a redshirt, to develop and learn under Hart and continue his Michigan education. Dunlap as well.
Don’t be surprised if Dunlap announces as well, but it could be after bowl season is over. Michigan is planning on Mullings getting another year so if so the rotation will look something like this next year:
Mulling 1A/Hall 1B/Marshall or Cabana and then the rest will fall in from there. All depending on how spring and fall camp goes. If Michigan can preserve Marshall’s redshirt next year they will. Also look for them to seriously get a look from Trevor Etienne. I’m not sure Mullings is guaranteed another season, so Michigan will push extra hard to bring in Etienne. If that happens then he would be the starter with Mullings and Hall getting the bulk of the other carries.
December 11th, 2023 at 10:02 AM ^
Game opportunities? I doubt it, he was looking at 3rd RB at best. Mullings has already passed him, Hall probably has as well and then you have Marshall coming in. And then what if Edwards stays.
At best he'd be given a chance to compete.
December 11th, 2023 at 10:05 AM ^
I'm really not so sure he would've. Mullings looks primed to take a lot of snaps next year as probably a Haskins type of back. Cabana will have a year in the system and my guess is he likely will be taking a lot of snaps as a third down back / receiving option, and then that's not even considering the very hyped freshmen who are coming in.
Marshall will undoubtedly be getting some snaps next year as well, and then people are extremely high on Kaapana, who played for a HS national powerhouse, produced when he was given the ball, and would likely have been ranked a lot higher if his team wasn't as "passing-oriented" as it is. At least that is what I remember reading from his recruiting write-up.
I think this is the right move for Stokes.
December 11th, 2023 at 10:12 AM ^
Curious on the Ben Hall experience myself, Hart seems to love that kid.
RBs hit early in general - either you are it or you ain't. Being in year 3ish is getting late early.
December 11th, 2023 at 10:49 AM ^
Corum is gone because he's out of eligibility. I don't know why you are assuming Edwards would be gone.
December 11th, 2023 at 12:47 PM ^
Corum is not out of eligibility. I'm sure it doesn't matter, but he has a COVID year.
December 11th, 2023 at 9:48 AM ^
not surprising even a little. there will be plenty more
December 11th, 2023 at 9:51 AM ^
That's the truth. Best thing about the portal is these guys who it "gets late early" can transfer and get a fresh start, or transfer down a little and get playing time they wouldn't here.
December 11th, 2023 at 6:43 PM ^
I mentioned last year the potential for some transfers that ended up sticking around. One of them being Stokes. A lot of them had the attitude that this was the year Michigan would get it done and they wanted to be involved in that and take part in the teams success. Harbaugh loves it and hopes to keep as many guys as possible. He also understands some of these guys want an opportunity to play. A lot of team players on this roster, who will look for other opportunities after this season, but who helped contribute a ton to the teams success this year, even if not on the field on game day.
December 11th, 2023 at 9:48 AM ^
a bummer but not that surprising - I certainly wish him well!
December 11th, 2023 at 9:50 AM ^
Good luck to him. He has some talent and if he finds the right situation could still have some success