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."]

Chi-Blue

January 17th, 2012 at 4:26 PM ^

So this is for sure a long shot but DG tweeted the other day that he had a hard decision to make . . . might the staff have asked him to take some WR reps this spring along with qb? Prob not buuuuuut, Denard is back and 4.0 should be a great year. Hoke had some great things to say about the fresh qb from Texas who's name escapes me right now, and Morris is right around the corner. Obviously far fetched and no evidence but crazier things have happened!

Sten Carlson

January 17th, 2012 at 4:59 PM ^

Interesting.  DG definitely has the size to be tough to handle as an outside WR -- but, does he have hands and can he run routes? There have been a great many converted QB's that have done well as WR's -- like the kid from NW.  I think the kid you're thinking of is Russel Bellomy -- and yes, he was getting high praise from the coaches during bowl practice.  If RB has surpassed DG, and he knows it, and the coaches came to DG and told him they're letting DS go, it might very well be what he was talking about.  Still compete at QB, but try to focus on WR.  Adds an interesting wrinkle to the Fritz/Diamond formation we saw this year.

MilkSteak

January 17th, 2012 at 6:44 PM ^

I wouldn't think they'd 100% convert him, it might be like the Persa/Colter situation at NW this year or like Minnesota with Gray a few years back.
<br>
<br>I have to admit, I really like this idea. Get DG some game experience, learn some of the routes, and allow him to become adjusted to game speed, all while filling a position of need. He's got the size and pretty good speed, and as a QB he has at least some ball skills.

MichiganStephen

January 17th, 2012 at 4:26 PM ^

It will be interesting to see if one of the freshmen can step up quickly.  The top three will be Roundtree, Gallon, Dileo I presume?  Followed by Jackson?  Maybe Justice Hayes switches to WR?

Mr. Yost

January 18th, 2012 at 1:10 AM ^

This sucks, because despite the belief of many...Daryl HAD worked REALLY hard to be a model citizen and be perfect since his last go around.

He had bought everything Coach Hoke sold him and he was going to do everything he could to be a part of this team THIS YEAR and NEXT YEAR.

He did it all.

Until one morning where he got lazy. He messed up and is taking full responsibility for it. I haven't talked to Daryl, but I have talked to someone on the team. He said Daryl is horribly upset. Tears, shock, the whole 9. He feels like he let the team down more than he's mad he won't get his final shot at Michigan.

I was told "that's what hurts me the most, hearing him so upset over letting down the team...he's definitely grown up."

I know the coaches can't publically be there for Stonum, but I hope his teammates help him through this. He's tore up and there is one scenario that keeps playing in my head after growing up seeing people use alcohol as an outlet all my life.

Daryl now faces the REAL test of this suspension. I hope he truly has grown up, I wish him NOTHING but the best. He was going to have a GREAT year, I don't care what anyone tells me.. He basically got a chance to sit and watch others take the test...prepare for it...study it...and then get a whole summer let it simmer, practice more...and dominate it in year 2.

However, Hoke had no choice. I'm glad he made the right decision. I pray for Stonum, he'll make it and in 15 years we'll here a sad story about how this was the best/worst thing for him. We'll curse everyone in sight at what could've been, our hearts will be warm knowing he was a Michigan Man and one who made it in life...overcoming this adversity.

BlueVball8

January 17th, 2012 at 5:10 PM ^

I believe this is the right move.  We need to set a standard that shows what we are about.  However I love Stonum's response.  He will graduate from this spring.  He is getting his priorities correct and I wish him the best.

mgoDave

January 17th, 2012 at 5:18 PM ^

This all happened and he had to be dismmissed from the team.  I wish him the best.  I was actually quite impressed with the maturity and understanding the quote from Stonum showed especially for someone who has just been dismissed from the team.  hopefully it is a sign of increased maturity and lead to better decision making in the future. 

Charlie Chunk

January 17th, 2012 at 5:24 PM ^

He is young and dumb.  We have all been there.  Some of us are just luckier than others.  I hope this experience doesn't make him too bitter, although I can't see how it won't.

That free spirit of his just took an absolute beating.  That's a very hard lesson for anyone, let alone a young man.

I wish him well and hope he finishes school.

Section 1

January 17th, 2012 at 5:35 PM ^

Tom VH, January 1, 2011, 6:34 pm:

I spoke with a family member of commit DB Dallas Crawford after the game, and he told me Dallas is likely to stick with Michigan. Crawford still sees the opportunity to play early, and likes Michigan as a school. That's essentially what his coach told me a few weeks ago.

I was also told by Crawford's family member that WR Sammy Watkins step father thinks Sammy might back out on his Clemson commitment. I don't know if he would still consider Michigan if Rich Rodriguez is fired, so we'll have to wait and see. I don't believe that Sammy is qualified yet either, so he'll need to figure that out too. 

PepperHicks

January 17th, 2012 at 5:38 PM ^

Certainly a blow, but at least this wasn't announced on the eve of the season opener.  The team has time to adjust,  and  the opening might just compel a  cerain WR recruit to make a commitment.

3rdGenerationBlue

January 17th, 2012 at 5:42 PM ^

The University of Michigan and Brady Hoke expect the players on the team to be accountable for their actions on and off the field. Compare this to what has gone on in South Bend, Columbus and East Lansing in the recent past.

This is a very hard (but necessary) lesson for Stonum. Hope he applies the experience the best he is able. 

snoopblue

January 17th, 2012 at 5:52 PM ^

I guess we'll see what all the hype around Jerald Robinson was about.

For Stonum, if he graduates after Spring, I am assuming he can transfer to am FBS school that offers a graduate degree in something that Michigan doesn't offer (which might be hard to find and limit his choices) and play immediately. He could probably go the FCS or Divison 2 route as well. I see him ending up at Houston or Texas A&M.

B-Nut-GoBlue

January 17th, 2012 at 6:22 PM ^

I'm sure in the long run his mistake a few weeks ago won't amount to much.  But when the University of Michigan is who you're representing, his mistake in the short run cost him.  I have no proof, but I'm thinking Daryl was making great strides to gaining the trust and respect back from the U of M and Coach Hoke; then a hiccup, a costly one.  I hope his Michigan football team dismissal doesn't stop his process of bettering himself off the field and he is using ALL of this as a life lesson and learning experience.  Go Blue.  Hang in there Daryl.

might and main

January 17th, 2012 at 6:35 PM ^

Of course only time will tell if he's learned lessons and matured, but I definitely respect him for his statement of support and appreciation to UM, Hoke, etc. Good luck to him, and thanks for staying through the mess of the last few years.

might and main

January 17th, 2012 at 6:27 PM ^

Of course only time will tell if he's learned lessons and matured, but I definitely respect him for his statement of support and appreciation to UM, Hoke, etc. Good luck to him, and thanks for staying through the mess of the last few years.