cj stokes

Michigan wasn't going to be immune to the portal as thick depth charts calcify and paths to reps and playing time close. That seems to be the case for CJ Stokes, who looked like a promising Karan Higdon type as a true freshman when Corum and Edwards were hurt, with 55 carries, 273 yards (5 YPC) and 1 TD. His best game was an 8-carry/68-yard slow blowout of Nebraska in '22, but his signature moment in a Michigan uniform was the moment that wasn't, when he tripped on a cutback that would have added to the 2022 blowout of Ohio State.

Stokes makes the cut, but he stumbles — tripped up by the turf monster or by Colston Loveland’s legs. He falls forward for a gain of two and pops back up to his feet with a gesture of frustration in recognition of the squandered opportunity.

“That run against Ohio State was the biggest disappointment for me,” CJ Stokes told The Michigan Insider. “If I would’ve broke that run, I would’ve been a household name. Because there was nobody there! After the D-line, the linebackers weren’t there.

“It was the perfect play. I just slipped in the backfield and didn’t make the play. … I’ve watched that run so many times.”

Same.

Stokes only got one more carry against OSU as one-handed Edwards took over, and Mullings moved over for the bowl. Stokes then struggled to find ways to contribute in a crowded 2023 backfield, finding a couple of carries that went nowhere late against ECU and UNLV.

Technically he began the season behind Donovan Edwards for the "Donovan Edwards" position, but redshirting Cole Cabana seemed to move ahead when he got healthy later this year. If Edwards were to leave for the NFL, Stokes was going to have to Cabana for that shrinking role, and was going to have a tough time battling Mullings, super-promising Benjamin Hall, 2021 RB Tavierre Dunlap, and two well-regarded recruits in Jordan Marshall and Micah Kaapana next year. It was time to move on, possibly back to hometown South Carolina. 

There is no content after the jump.

Previously: The Story. Quarterback.

RUNNING BACK: RUN IT BACK

[Bolded player rules: not necessarily returning starter, but someone we've seen enough of that I'm no longer talking about their recruiting profile (much, anyway). Extant contributor.]

RATING: 5

There is no greater "Everything's coming up Milhous!" moment in recent Michigan football history than Blake Corum busting his knee the week before the Ohio State game, still beating Ohio State as a one-handed Donovan Edwards becomes a national star, and then getting Blake Goddamn Corum back for his senior season largely because he didn't win the Heisman on account of the knee.

Remember the days when Michigan couldn't find a running back capable of running through a dizzy toddler? Now we are entering the third straight season where the #2 guy would start on all but ~5 football teams in the country. In fact, if you take Dane Brugler's word for it the number of teams not named "Michigan" on which Donovan Edwards would not start is one: Wisconsin. His NFL draft rankings have Corum 1, Braelon Allen 2, and Edwards 3. Maybe there's a sophomore out there on Alabama or something, but: nah. This is the best backfield in America, and it's not real close.

What say you now, Mike Hart haters? Probably "bur bur bur bur duhhhhh." Get wrecked. Like opposition run defenses.

IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED

Last year's preview was rapturous about BLAKE CORUM. Perhaps never in the history of his preview series has a player been so thoroughly hyped:

ATTENTION MEDIA: did you know that Fred Jackson rejoined the Michigan football program this offseason? He's an analyst or somesuch. He's in the building. He is there for you, the quote-gathering media, to sidle up next to. Once you've sidled real good you can say "hey" or "psst," preferably in a large group. And then you can do this.

Anyway. BLAKE CORUM is the light and the truth. … Corum should push for All-American honors but probably end up behind at least a couple of the Henderson/Robinson/Vaughn trio when it comes to big honors.

This take was, somehow, pessimistic.

[AFTER THE JUMP: mea culpa]

Now that's some good newspapering. Notre Dame, always losing to Notre Dame by 275.

This is some top tier transitive property thinking. https://t.co/UHhtDDYLWN pic.twitter.com/4DS3uNeUuh

— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) June 2, 2023

Typical Notre Dame.

He's probably thinking about his roster. Excellent candid shot from a Harbaugh coaching clinic appearance:

Jim Harbaugh spoke at the National College Showcase Camp at Wayne State University before hundreds of prospects (and a few of his fellow coaches): pic.twitter.com/uKeUUFuzMP

— Alejandro Zúñiga (@ByAZuniga) June 1, 2023

I also enjoy Bielema looking like a popular meme cat from a decade ago.

There are memes old enough to be Baby Gronk, if you want to feel old. Please do not google Baby Gronk if you have never heard of him, you will die and not be allowed into heaven.

[AFTER THE JUMP: Otaku Kris Jenkins?]