TheWolverine.com - Brady Hoke comments on Stonum's status

June 11, 2011

Michael Spath
TheWolverine.com Senior Writer

Michigan wide receiver Darryl Stonum's status today remains the same as it did yesterday and as it did May 7 when Brady Hoke suspended the senior indefinitely after a May 6 arrest for driving under the influence, Hoke said on Saturday morning ...

"Nope," Hoke responded when asked if Stonum's status had changed after he was sentenced to two years probation Friday for the DUI charge - his second in three years at Michigan. "We're just evaluating the whole process. There are things we are looking at as a team, personal and legal and all that."

When asked what Stonum must do to rejoin the Wolverines for the 2011 campaign, Hoke responded: "There is some different criteria I want to see. That's personal stuff for me to worry about. We'll just see how it turns out."

Hoke was asked about Stonum potentially taking a redshirt this year with the opportunity to return in 2012: "I don't know what we're going to do," he replied.

Hoke and his coaches, and a select group of players, including quarterbacks Denard Robinson and Devin Gardner, wide receivers Roy Roundtree and Kelvin Grady, offensive linemen Taylor Lewan, Patrick Omameh, Ricky Barnum and David Molk, defensive linemen Ryan Van Bergen, Jibreel Black, Craig Roh and Will Campbell, linebackers Kenny Demens, Cam Gordon and J.B. Fitzgerald, and defensive back Troy Woolfolk were on hand for the 13th Annual Women's Football Academy.

The more than 350 attendees raised better than $100,000 towards the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center.

"It's a great collaboration between the cancer center and Michigan football," Hoke said. "I think it was '98, the first one, and how much fun they all had. It's fun for the coaches, fun for the players to be out, and the cause is tremendous.

"Hopefully everyone stays healthy. Again the cause is so great and when you match a great cause up with the cancer center and Michigan football, it's a win-win."

Linebackers coach Mark Smith served as the camp director and led the ladies in a 'Go Blue' chant and a second 'Beat Ohio' chorus. The players descended the front stairs at Schembechler Hall to greet every arriving participant at their car, escorting them to Oosterbaan Fieldhouse while the assistant coaches signed autographs in the morning and prepared for a full day of coaching.

Hoke pleased with recruiting

- Hoke said Michigan expects to sign a class of 23-25 scholarships, though one source said it could be as high as 26. U-M picked up its 15th and 16th verbal commitments Friday in four-star defensive end Tom Strobel and four-star offensive lineman Erik Magnuson and now has seven four-star recruits after picking up just six in each of the 2011 and 2010 classes.

"Fifteen years ago recruiting really got sped up and as you go through the guys in-state are so important to the foundation of what we want to be as a team," Hoke said, explaining the early surge. "The coaches have done a tremendous job of going out and competing ... in May they did a tremendous job. But we all know Signing Day is not until February and it's a long haul in the process. But at this point in time, the guys have done a good job."

U-M has landed seven recruits from Ohio, including four-stars Strobel, defensive end Pharaoh Brown and linebacker Joe Bolden, but Hoke does not attribute that to the problems encapsulating Ohio State.

"They're still Ohio," he said. "Those kids are very loyal to their school and they should be, in a lot of ways.

"I don't look at it that way because the great tradition they have. They're still Ohio, and we can't worry about what's going on there - we have so many positives to talk about at Michigan, with 131 years of football that has been played, and tradition and legacy so to be honest with you that's not a factor for us.

"It's us evaluating the guys that fit the makeup we want and guys who understand the value of a global degree like Michigan, and guys that have a great passion to play football.

"Ohio will always be Ohio and Michigan will always be Michigan."

Notes

- Michigan signed 20 recruits in the Class of 2011 and Hoke said all of them are on track to qualify.

"I think they'll all be here by the end of the month to start the summer bridge program and summer school program," he said. "We expect them all."

- Hoke said the offseason participation has been outstanding, with the Wolverines' seniors leading the charge.

"They're in there lifting and running. The seniors have done a great job of organizing them in 7-on-7s and individual skill work. So they've had a real productive summer. We're not near ready to play a football game, by any means, but I think they've done a pretty good job.

"The kids have been around. We do a senior leadership program. It's been going on for four months now and we meet and talk about life and the influence that seniors have and how important is for them to embrace being a senior in their last year of eligibility, their last year of football at Michigan. All those things are important. Believe me a lot of guys stop by and say hello."

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