2011 Countdown: #35 Darryl Stonum

Here's a picture of Darryl Stonum standing on the sidelines, because
that's all he might be doing this year.

Name: Darryl Stonum
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 195 lbs.
High school: Dulles High School in Stafford, TX
Position: Wide receiver/kick returner
Class: Senior
Jersey number: #22
Last year: I ranked Stonum #13, said he would start at wide receiver and kick returner, and predicted 35 catches for 525 yards and 3 touchdowns.  He had 49 catches for 633 yards and 4 touchdowns, while also returning 22 kickoffs for 513 yards.

Stonum would be higher on the list if it weren't for his little problem with drinking and staying on the good side of the law.  Unfortunately for everyone involved, he's got himself into a bit of a mess and earned an indefinite suspension.  Stonum has himself a decent, if unspectacular, career going so far.  He's started 25 games in three seasons, set the all-time Michigan record for kickoff return yardage in a season back in 2009, and finally started catching a significant amount of passes in 2010.  Last season he averaged 23.3 yards per kickoff return and finished second on the team in receptions, receiving yardage, and receiving touchdowns.

Now it's unclear whether Stonum will suit up for Michigan ever again.  His indefinite suspension leaves things up in the air, and even if he does return, there are three other senior wideouts returning, to go along with redshirt junior and leading receiver Roy Roundtree.  Stonum will almost certainly get back in the rotation for playing time if he returns, but how rusty will he be?  Will the other guys have stepped up in his absence and refuse to relinquish their spots?  Ultimately, I think Stonum would have been kicked off the team already if Brady Hoke had the intention of kicking him off, and there is an opportunity for the senior wideout to return if he pays his dues (a.k.a. if he runs lots and lots and lots).  But his senior year will likely pale in comparison to what Michigan fans - and Stonum himself - pictured three years ago.

Prediction: 2-game suspension; backup wide receiver; part-time kick returner