Darryl Stonum Dismissed Comment Count

Brian

091209_SPT_UM v Norte Dame_MRMdarryl-stonum-nw-sad

high, and low

Getting stopped was the straw that broke the camel's back. Press release:

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."

Michigan now has a major hole at outside receiver with the departures of Stonum and Hemingway. Roy Roundtree will start at one spot; the other spot will either be Jeremy Gallon, Jerald Robinson, Jeremy Jackson, or some freshmen. Gallon will be needed for slot duties, so inevitably this puts Robinson and or Jackson on the field for a bunch more snaps. Probably Jackson; since Jackson is very much a possession type that will expose Michigan to the same sorts of athleticism issues that plagued them in the Virginia Tech game.

If Michigan knew this was coming it makes the Arnett situation strange; it was always strange they didn't take Devin Lucien last year; this may open up a spot for OH WR Monty Madaris, who is scheduled to visit next weekend and suddenly has a wide open depth chart to luxuriate in should he want to don a winged helmet. CA WR Jordan Payton committed to Cal at the Army game only to see his recruiter hired at Washington; Hoke has an in-home with him scheduled.

Comments

GoWings2008

January 17th, 2012 at 4:43 PM ^

I loved the statement he made...no sour grapes, accepts the punishment and the consequences of his actions.  I sure hope that he has grown and learned from his mistakes.  I certainly hope that he lands on his feet somewhere. 

.ghost.

January 17th, 2012 at 4:19 PM ^

For some reason, one of the most vivid recollections I have of watching the Wolverines play football over the past 5 years is Stonum's TD return vs. ND '09.  He kind of gives this little chest bump and points up to the crowd.  Good luck to him.

joeyb

January 17th, 2012 at 4:43 PM ^

Mine was his TD reception in the 2009 MSU game that was the first of two TDs to tie the game in the final 5 minutes of the 4th quarter. He caught the ball in the middle of the field and I thought there was no way he was going to make it to the sideline let alone score.

markusr2007

January 17th, 2012 at 4:22 PM ^

Hoke gave him at least one second chance (and probably more). It's one thing to ignore the instructions of the court, but to then let down your head coach and the team with more of the same, that's dumb.  Hoke handled this correctly.

Hope Stonum gets his head screwed on straight and can play someplace else.  Good luck Darryl.

West Texas Blue

January 17th, 2012 at 4:22 PM ^

Sad to see Stonum's career end like this, but it had to be done.  Tough decision for Hoke, but glad Hoke maintained consistent approach on his discipline for Stonum and didn't cater to one athlete, ala Kelly and Floyd.

Roachgoblue

January 17th, 2012 at 4:23 PM ^

He will drive him from jail to practice. I am glad Hoke set an example, and I wish the young man the very best.

Lionsfan

January 17th, 2012 at 4:23 PM ^

Right thing to do for both parties. Obviously Stonum would have benefitted from another year here, but he's learned that consequences aren't always going to be light/shrug them off easily. Hope he sorts everything out

93Grad

January 17th, 2012 at 4:24 PM ^

as much as losing T-Wolf in 2010 hurt the defense.  A critical blow to an area with zero experienced depth. 

I really wish we could have pulled in Arnett. 

JT4104

January 17th, 2012 at 4:26 PM ^

The Arnett situation was a no go no matter what..he didn't know this staff and already have relationships with marky D. Also if I'm not mistaken didn't he visit spartyland while we were still in Nawlins?

It seems like Arnett wanted Sparty from the start and oh well more power to him I'll gladly take madaris or Payton at this point.

J. Lichty

January 17th, 2012 at 4:26 PM ^

Guy on double not so secret probation cannot get his real probation revoked and then stay on the team - not unless you are in East Lansing. 

Writing was on the wall, and Payton's revelation that Hoke would take a third receiver in this class confirmed it.

Glad to see back in it with Madaris because I think Payton will stay out west.

M-Wolverine

January 17th, 2012 at 4:56 PM ^

It seemed like a pretty good sign something was up.  It's unfortunate, but it likely had to happen. If this hadn't been try number 5 or whatever, then maybe not. I'm glad to see he's going to get his degree, and that all parties handled it with caring and class. Good luck Darryl.  You may have screwed up, but Michigan will still be your home.

maizedandconfused

January 17th, 2012 at 4:52 PM ^

If they put 8 or 9 in the box, I like the chances of Tree and Gallon vs CB with no safety help.

Secondly, the athleticism from VT defense is way above the bar for the teams we'll face next year (with the exception of Bamajama).

So, if we run the ACE, or a 3 wide TE single back Shotgun (both of which we run from relatively well), that leaves 8 in the box, with 4 to cover 4. I like 1 on 1s, especially with Gallon on underneaths and tree in the seams.

FreddieMercuryHayes

January 17th, 2012 at 5:24 PM ^

But Roundtree is going to be playing the outside receiver, which means few seam routes,and he's shown he's not the greatest at getting away from corners.  Plus Borges is going to have to realize we don't have the outside receivers to run 2 or 3 man long developing patterns like he seems to like.

Zok

January 17th, 2012 at 5:40 PM ^

All have DBs that can run with Roundtree and whoever else we have on the roster that plays on the outside in a 1v1 situation. UM is going to want to win 3 of the above 5 games so we better find/get another outside WR or fundamentally change the passing game(not going to happen).

This is a huge loss. Hopefully there is a stud frosh that can stretch the field or one of the current guys (Jackson, Robinson) make a Denard like LEAP in the offseason.

 

leftrare

January 17th, 2012 at 4:32 PM ^

If he can graduate, he can transfer and play next fall.  as long as it's not the big ten, I hope nothing but the best for him.  I don't quite understand how a judge can expect a guy to make regular 7:30 probation check-ins without a driver's license.  Wouldn't his have been a good case for a restricted license?

 

Whatever.

PurpleStuff

January 17th, 2012 at 4:47 PM ^

Not sure on the Michigan specifics, but a 2nd DUI usually isn't eligible for anything but a nice long stretch without a license.

And normally I could see the "set up to fail" argument, but the guy was living in Ann Arbor.  One of my favorite parts about going to school there was that I never needed a car and could get as hammered as I want and just stumble home.  To pick up two driving offenses and then get caught driving a car to get over to Main St. in a town that size with all the public transportation options with a shitload of people who I'm sure would gladly give the dude a lift is just mind boggling.

Hell, if he had just stuck his thumb out on State St. I'm sure he could have gotten picked up in less than 5 minutes and he'd still be on the team.  He (especially) and everyone around him totally dropped the ball on this one.

JeepinBen

January 17th, 2012 at 4:36 PM ^

This does suck, and is the right move... but the timing of it certainly gives some silver linings all around. Stonum is going to graduate with a degree from the University of Michigan. That's awesome for him. Not as awesome as playing next year, but still awesome. Stonum can also declare for the NFL draft now. I dunno if he'll get drafted/his stock/etc. but if this happened a month from now he'd be S.O.L.

The silver lining for Michigan (as mentioned above) is this is happening before signing day, giving the coaches a chance to fill a need.

I don't think this is a "good" situation by any means, but it's not all bad. Best of luck to Darryl moving forward, I hope he lands on his feet and stays off the sauce.

Sopwith

January 17th, 2012 at 4:49 PM ^

though it will by its nature be a forever silent and unproveable one.

By dismissing Stonum, though we lose a great athlete at a position of need, Hoke may have prevented other losses with even bigger consequences for the team in the future.  If Team 133 (and beyond) wasn't on notice before, they're certainly now aware they'd better fly right or there are real consequences.  When young men know rules are rules, and breaking them has painful and consistently enforced consequences, it's a good bet they think twice about doing some dumb things.  

But still.  Ouch and whatnot.  Get someone to drive you, Darryl.  Arrrrrgh. 

PurpleStuff

January 17th, 2012 at 4:36 PM ^

So frustrating to stick with a guy through two DUIs only to lose him because he can't get a ride to court.  How the fuck does that happen?  How easy would it have been for him to set up some sort of "give Darryl a ride" program on a team with 100 guys, a dozen coaches, countless support staff, and thousands of students who would be more than happy to help out if it meant keeping the guy on the team?  And he just happens to get pulled over, probably because he is easily recognized.

Balls.

switch26

January 17th, 2012 at 4:46 PM ^

What probably happened was, he showed up to his probation office.  The officer in charge saw him roll up, then called the cops after he left.

Ive heard from a family member that is an attorney he see's stuff like that happen all the time.

 

Hopefully it didn't happen like that and was just unlucky that he got pulled over.

PurpleStuff

January 17th, 2012 at 4:50 PM ^

That does seem more plausible.  It also adds to the frustration to think he could still be on the team if he had just been smart enough to park a few blocks away (on top of how just plain dumb it is to drive a car in his position when you live in a town like Ann Arbor).

Balls.