Ex-Michigan receiver Darryl Stonum headed to Baylor, expected to play right away
Darryl Stonum appears to have found a new home -- and it's a lot closer to home.
The former Michigan football receiver announced Friday via Twitter that he plans to finish his playing career at Baylor, which is located about three hours from his hometown of Stafford, Texas.
Darryl Stonum appears to be headed to Baylor, where he will play out his final year of eligibility.
"Wanna thank every1 for all the love n support (throughout) my career," Stonum tweeted. "Past few months been tough but ive learned and its made me a better person.
"That being said, with the blessing and grace of God..... I'm back! Time to get back to work."
Stonum included a picture of Baylor's logo with his tweets.
Stonum was one of the Wolverines' top receivers before run-ins with the law sidelined him. He took a redshirt last year as a senior after a second drunken driving arrest and was expected to start on this year's team.
He was kicked off the team in January, though, after he was arrested for driving on a suspended license the day after Michigan returned from the Sugar Bowl. He was sentenced to 10 days in jail, but was released early.
Stonum made 25 starts in his first three seasons, and finished his Michigan career with 76 catches 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.
He was expected to start next year alongside senior Roy Roundtree and junior Jeremy Gallon. Michigan is still searching for his replacement, and doesn't have a lot of experienced options.
Sophomore Jerald Robinson is considered the leader to earn the spot, although he could be pushed in fall camp by true freshmen Amara Darboh and Jehu Chesson.
None of those players has yet recorded a collegiate catch. Although the Wolverines have talent at wideout, they will miss Stonum's experience in a passing game that struggled last year without him.
Michigan also is searching for a kick returner, duties that were expected to be turned back over to Stonum next year. Candidates to replace him include senior Vincent Smith, sophomore Blake Countess and freshman Dennis Norfleet, among others.
Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.
Comments
Kevin Loubert
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 11:12 p.m.
I am so very excited for Darryl and hope he does great at Baylor. He graduated and has a Michigan degree and now is getting a chance to play again. I would have loved for him to be able to finish at Michigan, yet that did not work out. So I wish him the very best and am glad that he landed in what I hope is a great new place for him. Go Darryl and Go Blue!
JRW
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 10:39 p.m.
Kudos to Brady Hoke for kicking him off the team. Hope he can learn to control his off-field behavior and take responsibility for his actions in the future at Baylor. There is no excuse for the bad choices he made at Michigan off the field.
Scott
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 : 2:59 p.m.
I wish him well. More that he learn to stop drinking and driving and lying than that he have a good football season. That would be a great victory. His Heisman.
OldBittyBates
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 9:43 p.m.
There are a few good men who appear ready to replace Daryl Stonum. Vincent Smith needs to be special in his performance this season more than any other - since it will be his last. No mention of Sione Houma as a potential kick returner (this seems strange). Houma did well returning kicks for Highland High School in Utah last season. Darboh, Countess, Norfleet, and Chesson have potential as well. The month leading up to the Alabama game should be most interesting to watch. Who will gain the edge? Who's play will rise above the rest?
Tom
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 9:23 p.m.
He'll drink to that! Bad News joins the Bears! With Michigan's high school level passing game he wasn't going to catch many balls anyhow. SI ON ARRA!
semperveritas
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 8:23 p.m.
granted that the hoke staff knows all of the inside stuff-----but as merely a fan, i wish the young man had been welcomed back. maybe the circumstances were too extenuationg to allow that to happen.
AfterDark
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 11:21 p.m.
When trying to battle demons it's best not to return to past places and situations that can serve as triggers for repeating previous bad behavior.
Terry Star21
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 4:45 p.m.
Good luck Darryl.....make great choices and use of your second chance.
RWBill
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 4:38 p.m.
The obvious downside to that record of 39 kickoff returns in one season is it reflects how many points and TDs the Michigan defense gave up.
rensational
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 3:45 p.m.
And he could have been the next great #1. I expected him to do great things for Michigan this season and was looking forward to his return. It's a big loss for Michigan. He'll always be a Wolverine to me.
michboy40
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 12:04 p.m.
Too bad he did not work out here. I remember during his recruitment that Braylon Edwards predicted he would be the next great #1
observer
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 11:29 a.m.
Good luck, I hope he has things under control and does well there.....