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Posted on Sat, Jul 30, 2011 : 5:38 p.m.

Brady Hoke comments on three Michigan football position battles: running back, receiver and returner

By Kyle Meinke

CHICAGO -- First-year Michigan football coach Brady Hoke had a lot to say Thursday and Friday at the Big Ten media days in Chicago.

Here is a snapshot of his take regarding three position groups with personnel questions heading into the start of fall camp Aug. 8:

Running back

Perhaps the most intriguing fall camp storyline not pertaining to Denard Robinson or the defense will be the competition to become Michigan’s first featured tailback since 2007.

Michael_Shaw.jpg

Will Michael Shaw (20) emerge as Michigan's featured tailback?

AnnArbor.com file photo

Hoke said Friday he is “a little concerned” no one separated himself from the pack this spring, although he isn’t worried because of the time it takes to get comfortable with the new schemes.

“You’d like someone to grab it and go with it,” Hoke said. “Is it a concern? Yeah, a little bit. But if after two to three weeks (of camp) no one has separated, then I’ll be more concerned.”

Hoke said he’s looking for a back who will carry the ball about 20 times per game. Sophomore Stephen Hopkins and senior Michael Shaw would seem to be the frontrunners because of their size and experience.

True freshman Thomas Rawls also could be a candidate.

Hoke has said he also would like to use a smaller, quicker back as a change-of-pace component to the offense. Junior Vincent Smith could be that guy.


Wide receiver

The indefinite suspension of senior starter Darryl Stonum -- who was second on the the team last year with 49 catches for 633 yards and four touchdowns -- makes things difficult to project at this position, and could impact the productivity of offensive coordinator Al Borges' pro-style offense until he returns.

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Roy Roundtree (12) and Junior Hemmingway, left, should lead the Michigan receivers. Darryl Stonum's role is less certain.

AnnArbor.com file photo

Hoke said receivers are learning new route trees, and must improve their timing with Robinson.

The sure things are junior Roy Roundtree and senior Junior Hemingway, two upperclassmen who played well last year. Roundtree led the team with 72 catches for 935 yards and seven touchdowns, and Hemingway added 32 catches for 593 yards.

Senior Martavious Odoms would seem to be a logical replacement in the starting lineup for Stonum. From there, things get more unclear.

Je’ron Stokes, Jerald Robinson, Jeremy Jackson and Kelvin Grady are strong candidates to see snaps early in the season.

Hoke seemed particularly pleased with Robinson’s progress in the spring. He mentioned the redshirt freshman by name twice when talking about off-the-radar players.

"(Robinson) has done some things that I'm a little more pleased with," Hoke said.


BIG TEN MEDIA DAYS

Kyle Meinke's previous stories from Big Ten media days:

Punt/kick returner

Hoke said it remains unclear who will return punts and kicks, and declined even to offer possible candidates.

“We did a lot in spring with it, but to tell you who that would be would be unfair,” Hoke said.

Sophomore Jeremy Gallon had 10 of Michigan’s 14 punt returns last year and 27 of 72 kick returns.

Stonum, who remains indefinitely suspended, returned 22.

Odoms and sophomore Drew Dileo had eight kick returns apiece.

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

Bradley Pearsall

Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 4:33 p.m.

Whats the story on kicking? It was an issue all last season and I haven't seen it mentioned yet.

Kyle Meinke

Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 4:40 p.m.

Bradley, I'll actually have a story updating the kicker position that will run later today. I left it off here knowing I'd be running this story today. Good eye, though, thinking about it.

tater

Sun, Jul 31, 2011 : 3:10 p.m.

There's plenty of depth at all of those positions, and most of them are upperclassmen now. Finally, time and recruiting have erased the gutting of the roster, and the Wolverines won't be facing a "boys vs men" scenario at most positions. I can't see Stonum making it back this year. I think Brady Hoke needs to make a statement with his handling of this case. Redshirting Stonum so he can "get it together" this year would be a win/win situation. Stonum could work on his personal life without affecting the chemistry of the team, and without the perception that Hoke is "soft" when it comes to holding players responsible for their actions. Also, Hoke could establish discipline while giving a kid a second "second chance" to leave Ann Arbor with his head held high. Even though Stonum's crime wasn't violent, allowing a repeat violator back onto the team without missing any games would remind me too much of East Lansing, no matter how many times he had to run up and down the steps of the Big House. Besides, when it's all said and done, Stonum is at a crisis point in his life. The decisions he makes in the next few months will probably determine the direction of the rest of his life. I hope he starts making good ones.

joe golder

Sun, Jul 31, 2011 : 10:09 p.m.

I hope coach hoke makes sure Stonum has all the tools he needs to deal with these serious problems. I hope he becomes a great example of what a young man can do with the help of the Michigan family. Keeping him away from football isn't the answer. The team, close family and Michigan family will help this young man stand strong and be his best.

Lorain Steelmen

Sun, Jul 31, 2011 : 7:25 p.m.

tater...agreed. Hoke must make it clear, to the entire team, that there are responsibilites, associated with wearing the winged helmut. The team comes before any one individual. If Stonum hangs in there, he may make it back for 2012

A2comments

Sun, Jul 31, 2011 : 11:56 a.m.

Keys to success: Receivers need to look at the ball as it approaches, not look around to see if they are about to be tackled. Recruit someone's grandmother as the new place kicker. Problems solved!

Tru2Blu76

Sun, Jul 31, 2011 : 3:34 a.m.

I'll be surprised and concerned too if Michigan fails to field an outstanding running back. I mean, this IS Michigan, isn't it? Roundtree and Hemingway are two receivers I really like and together they could become deadly to opposing teams is QB Robinson is coming into his own in the new (to him) system. Michigan MUST have a running and passing game - and the defense should take care of the rest. Kick returns: I think we can all see a possible problem here: lack of experience (not of maturity) may make kick returns a little uncertain this season. But who knows: all of the current candidates KNOW who Desmond Howard is. That's a great inspiration.

RWBill

Sat, Jul 30, 2011 : 11:59 p.m.

FACEPALM!! 14 punt returns during the entire season! omg, we sometimes used to get 7 or 8 a game.

heartbreakM

Sun, Jul 31, 2011 : 12:12 a.m.

Well that number is deceptive. There were a lot that he did not return, either deep, or bad angles, or whatever. And wasn't he injured for a few games, too?

Terry Star21

Sat, Jul 30, 2011 : 11:33 p.m.

RUNNING BACK; "Hoke said he's looking for a back who will carry the ball about 20 times per game." This is great because Michigan has always had successful years with one strong running back. Add Denard as an additional threat to run and through a little confusion at D. "Hoke said Friday he is "a little concerned" . Okay Coach relax, 'This Is Michigan".....right ? WIDE RECEIVERS; "Hoke said receivers are learning new route trees." - This is exactly what I was talking about a week ago, Michigan's pass plays/routes were so predictable the last 3 years......I'm buying into this one !

scott

Sat, Jul 30, 2011 : 11:26 p.m.

I've really enjoyed watching Stonum at receiver these past few years, he has some speed to make breakaway plays and returns. Makes me a bit torn on what the punishment should be for his DUI.

Terry Star21

Sat, Jul 30, 2011 : 11:38 p.m.

Me too scott....it is his second time as well ! From what I have heard he has fully cooperated with everyone, although he doesn't deserve another chance I think because of his age and attitude he should be given a ton of preventatives and someone to report to weekly.....then put on double secret probation. But seriously, give him a final ultimatum - slip up and your gone !

kidmich

Sat, Jul 30, 2011 : 10:47 p.m.

Go Biue!