Stonum Dismissed from Team

Submitted by Frank Drebin on

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."]

Scarlatina

January 17th, 2012 at 9:56 PM ^

Dominic Clarke started 3-4 games for OSU this season and was the #3 CB on the depth chart.  Due to the poor performance by Travis Howard this year and the lack of depth in the secondary, Clarke would've been a major contributor next season. Dominic was also slated to be the starter his senior season.

Argyle

January 17th, 2012 at 4:09 PM ^

Not surprised, and really don't see how he could have remained on the team, but I always had high hopes for Stonum. He seemed like a good kid that just made a series of poor decisions. Hope he learns from this and succeeds somewhere else.

Purkinje

January 17th, 2012 at 4:11 PM ^

I guess now I won't be able to make my awful "Daryl Stonehands" joke every time he drops a ball. Whatever. Get your life straightened out, buddy. You just gave up a free education from one of the nation's premier institutions, not to mention an opportunity to play football every fall weekend in the Big House. Most of us would kill for that.

M-Wolverine

January 18th, 2012 at 4:25 PM ^

As opposed to "Raback it", which is one that comes through. Raback told us Demar Dorsey was committing to Michigan.  BKFinest said...

 

Hello: Anthony Zettel. Book it. Neg bomb me away if it doesn't happen, but I've got a credible source that affirms Zettel is 95% Blue. Anthony Zettel will be blue at 7:30 tonight. BKFinest it.

http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/good-time-year-wtf-does-mean-lessons-mgoblog-language

(HT: mblood7)

lunchboxthegoat

January 17th, 2012 at 4:12 PM ^

right move by Hoke despite how much it will suck ON the field. He was given ample opportunities to turn his life around and stop making dumb decisions -- including a fresh start from this staff (which was generous) -- and he blew it all. Sad story. I don't feel bad for him, I just wish it would have worked out. 

Todd Plate's n…

January 17th, 2012 at 4:13 PM ^

Respect the decision and respect Stonum's statement in response.  I hope he finishes his business in the classroom and graduates this spring and then has a chance to get some looks as a free agent at the next level. 

sheepdog

January 17th, 2012 at 4:13 PM ^

For the record, TomVH is reporting that Monte Madaris is still being recruited heavily by the staff and they have never cooled on him.

Should be interesting to see if M garners more interest from Madaris with Stonum's dismissal.

bluebyyou

January 17th, 2012 at 4:14 PM ^

It is really a sad story.  Guy makes mistakes, hangs around and then makes another mistake and is gone.  I suspect he panicked, which is why he lied when questioned, but you are accountable for your deeds.

I'm sure that Kelly, Dantonio and Liar would act similarly. /S

markusr2007

January 17th, 2012 at 4:15 PM ^

Buy an alarm clock.  Take the bus yourself. And do what you're told the first time around when you're asked nicely by a judge.

Life will go better for you when you do.

Laser Wolf

January 17th, 2012 at 4:17 PM ^

While it sucks to lose him, it's absolutely the right decision.

To everybody whining: we're not Michigan State, and thus will not act like Michigan State.

96goblue00

January 17th, 2012 at 4:17 PM ^

I think he would have a pretty darn good season but I can't disagree with the decision. Hoke it trying to set a higher standard here and Stonum had his chances. At least it was good to see Darryl being gracious and a good sport about the whole thing, instead of being bitter. I think he will learn from this and, I think, he does have the talent and physical attributes to at least get a shot at the NFL. All the best to him.

turd ferguson

January 17th, 2012 at 4:18 PM ^

I hope that Stonum gets himself together, but this is the right move. Playing football on scholarship at Michigan is a privilege, and refusing to let the decision about what to do with Stonum hinge on how it might affect us on the field is what distinguishes us from our rivals and the unwashed masses.
<br>This was handled with class by Hoke and company at all points.

DeuceInTheDeuce

January 17th, 2012 at 4:45 PM ^

I agree.  I was becoming a little uneasy about it.  I think there was some risk of Hoke being characterized as a coach who is too lenient on talented players. He's too new on the job to not be hardline.  When you consider the plethora of cynical dinks in the local media, this was the right choice for the program.

BrownJuggernaut

January 17th, 2012 at 4:22 PM ^

It's clear that Hoke had a strong affection for Stonum and did not want to do this. At the end of the day, chances were given and not taken. I think Hoke did the right thing both with giving Stonum a chance at redemption as well as following through on Stonum's not living up to expectations.

I really enjoyed watching Daryl Stonum play as well as watching his press conferences. I wish him the best, not just in his pursuit of football, but in dealing with his personal problems.

ChiCityWolverine

January 17th, 2012 at 4:22 PM ^

 

2012 RECEIVER PANIC!

Although I like Gallon and Dileo rotating in the slot, Roundtree and Jackson are very average out wide. We need Robinson, Darboh, or Chesson to blossom into a playmaker or our passing game will be brutal next year.

TexanGOBLUE

January 17th, 2012 at 4:22 PM ^

We really needed Stonum's leadership and seniority. It's OK we will just need our underclassmen to step up. Payton could definetly contribute early along with Darboh. It will definelty be an interesting FEB 1.

reshp1

January 17th, 2012 at 4:23 PM ^

It's unfortunate that driving without a license to a probation meeting was the final straw, but on a whole, it's hard to see how Hoke could have justified him staying on the team, just because WR is a huge position of need.

I hope he means what he said in his statement. If he does, I think odds are good for him to rebound from this.

 

Wolverine Devotee

January 17th, 2012 at 4:23 PM ^

What a sad ending for a player I had such high hopes for when he came in 2008.

Hopefully he gets his act together and can be successful in his future career path when he gets his degree.