Vladimir Emilien granted release, will transfer

Michigan's young and inexperienced secondary has gotten a bit thinner. Back-up free safety and sophomore Vladimir Emilien asked for, and was granted, his release Tuesday.

Emilien played sparingly last year coming off a serious knee injury but had a solid spring. He was listed third on the depth chart, however, behind redshirt freshman Cam Gordon and walk-on Jared Van Slyke before Van Slyke suffered a season ending injury.

"Vlad has decided to transfer, look for other opportunities," head coach Rich Rodriguez confirmed. "He's a good young man. We wish him well."

Rodriguez said true freshman Ray Vinopal would back up starter Cameron Gordon at the free safety position.

Emilien was an early enrollee last year out of Lauderhill (Fla.) Plantation. He spoke highly of the family atmosphere at U-M in announcing his commitment.

"When I messed up my knee early in the season there were a couple of schools that backed off, but Michigan was steady and never even let up," he said. "If anything they picked up the pace to see how I was doing. That showed me the fact that Michigan didn't just like me as a player, but they were a school that I knew I could trust even if things like an injury happens."

Watch TheWolverine.com for more on this development …