Andy Reid
TheWolverine.com Staff Writer
Michigan football coach
Brady Hoke confirmed that receiver
Darryl Stonum has been dismissed from the football team, according to a statement release by U-M media relations.
"I love Darryl and wish him nothing but the absolute best," Hoke said in the statement. "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, a fourth-year played in 2011, was suspended for Hoke's first season in Ann Arbor. After his second DUI charge, Stonum planned to redshirt the season, work on the practice squad to gain the coaches' trust, and return to the field as a fifth-year senior in 2012.
Days after the Wolverines' 23-20 overtime win in the Sugar Bowl, Stonum was caught driving with a suspended license, violating his probation, and spent a short stint in jail.
Stonum caught 76 passes for 1,008 yards and six touchdowns in his career. 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.
"I appreciate everything the University of Michigan,
Dave Brandon and Coach Hoke have done for me," Stonum said in the statement. "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."