Exit Drew Singleton
247Sports confirmed with Michigan spokesman Dave Ablauf on Wednesday afternoon that second-year linebacker Drew Singleton has asked for and received a release from the program.
Singleton is a redshirt freshman who came in with a big recruiting rep and an ACL tear suffered during his final year of high school; he'd rehabbed it and was seeing snaps late in blowouts. Singleton got a bit of offseason talk as a candidate at the WLB spot that is currently being split between Devin Gil and Josh Ross, but it seemed like when Michigan put Devin Bush on the bench late it was Jordan Anthony who came off it.
Not great to lose a talented guy before he even has a shot at Bush's job, especially if he was good enough to be a consideration this fall. Michigan will likely be fine. In the aftermath of Bush's assumed NFL departure they can either move one of Gil or Ross over or get a leap forward from Anthony or Bush-ish true freshman Cam McGrone, who's redshirting.
October 17th, 2018 at 8:02 PM ^
This is sad. LB is probably one of the deepest positions on the team, so I'm not that worried
October 17th, 2018 at 8:07 PM ^
not really, when the class of 2016 leaves, we have:
2017 - Ross, Anthony
2018 - McGrone
2019 - Thomas
2020 - Wheeler
we need some more
October 17th, 2018 at 8:14 PM ^
Assuming Bush leaves after this year we will have 5 LBs on the roster for 2 spots. We only have 6 now and would have had 6 if Singleton stayed. In your scenario that's also 5 instead of 6. That's without taking another LB like Crouch this year and having all of next year to add the the 2020 class with Wheeler. It's not fun losing a potential good player like Singleton but the depth is there as well as the time to add more. It sucks but if Singleton felt this was best for him, then good for him and good luck to him moving forward.
October 17th, 2018 at 8:17 PM ^
oh we're not in dire straits, but I wouldn't say it is one of the deepest positions on the team as the poster I replied to indicated - definitely need a 2nd LB in the 2019 class and Crouch would be an awesome add
October 17th, 2018 at 8:19 PM ^
Sure. We could use another guy or two. We're in a good spot with Crouch, very realistic chance to get him, so if we land him all is fixed. Even if we don't between the rest of this cycle in the next I feel fine about the coaches getting 1-2 more good players, especially since they won't have to play right away and can develop.
October 17th, 2018 at 9:19 PM ^
Yes we are fine and still ha e time to add another LB in 2019. Too bad he feels he needs to leave but good luck to him
October 18th, 2018 at 12:07 AM ^
Just counting the numbers isn't a fair assessment of the depth at LB. A true freshman is not really where we would want to turn if needed. Losing Singleton will hurt depth in a very real sense. To think otherwise is silly.
I agree that we'll be fine, but it would certainly be preferred to have him here.
October 18th, 2018 at 12:53 AM ^
What’s silly is saying “to think otherwise is silly.” It’s akin to saying “to think differently than me is silly.”
Losing Singleton is less than ideal, but if I had to pick a spot on the team to lose a talented recruit, this would be it.
October 17th, 2018 at 10:02 PM ^
Get used to it. Even with Gary and Bush presumed to leave early, we will still probably need 6 or 7 more players to leave. It could be a little ugly.
October 17th, 2018 at 10:06 PM ^
Michigan only plays 2 LB positions and also doesn't really rotate them that much. Also the 2019 and 2020 class isn't done.
October 18th, 2018 at 6:09 AM ^
I mean you have 5 guys for two positions right there. Not to mention the fact that the 2019 and 2020 classes are still in progress. That’s still pretty deep. If you’re looking forward to the 2020 or 2021 season, you can look at virtually any position and say we aren’t quite “deep”
October 17th, 2018 at 9:30 PM ^
No it's not.
October 17th, 2018 at 8:06 PM ^
Wish him the best, unfortunate it didn't work out. I was excited since his commitment.
October 17th, 2018 at 8:06 PM ^
That is weird and disappointing. He was an exciting prospect. Obviously this is not program wrecking.
October 17th, 2018 at 8:08 PM ^
Timing? So, are mid-season transfers are now a thing these days? Doesn’t he have to sit out a full year so going now or after regular season makes no difference
Considering it’s the number 6 team in the country that controls its own destiny... maybe not a team oriented guy.
October 17th, 2018 at 8:15 PM ^
Anyone who says players that transfer aren't team oriented should have to eat a bag of sand.
October 17th, 2018 at 10:10 PM ^
You spelled dicks wrong.
October 17th, 2018 at 11:35 PM ^
You spelled doody wrong.
October 17th, 2018 at 8:19 PM ^
There are a hundred potential reasons for this. He is a real person leading a real life. Not a football robot. Let's not casually insinuate he's not a team player.
October 17th, 2018 at 8:35 PM ^
I get older guys that transfer after a couple years of not seeing the field and getting passed by younger player.
I don’t get a RFr who has played special teams in every game and snaps behind the starters.
“Back in my day” a player knew he had to generally wait to start.... now freshman are bolting when not anointed a star
if he failed out or misses family then ill eat sand... but this screams of the 3rd of 3 LBs in his class bolting.
October 17th, 2018 at 9:57 PM ^
so some transfers are valid based on your requirements, and some aren't.
plus, you know, kids today. got it.
October 17th, 2018 at 10:05 PM ^
How do you know that he didn't ask the coaches where he stands and they didn't tell him he's low on the depth chart?
October 17th, 2018 at 10:31 PM ^
Because no coach..or at least a good coach isn’t going to tell a young man that you can’t get it done and work your way into the 2 deep. Especially a highly rated LB.
October 17th, 2018 at 10:18 PM ^
Okay and? If he leaves because he's not getting playing time here, then good for him, that's his call. Especially if he's behind 2 LBs in his class like you said, why should he stay? Besides Michigan fans entitled enough to act like he owes something to them more than himself.
October 18th, 2018 at 3:10 AM ^
But why leave now? That's what's baffling about the move. Why not play out the semester and then transfer? Now there could be non-football reasons for this, but from a purely football standpoint, it doesn't really make sense. He could potentially be part of a B1G championship team.
October 18th, 2018 at 8:45 AM ^
This is what stood out for me as well. Why leave now? It's almost as if this was an emotional response to something. Like he was angry about some perceived mistreatment.
October 17th, 2018 at 8:43 PM ^
"Wasn't a team oriented guy" is basically a dog whistle for "I'm mad at him because he wouldn't sacrifice what opportunity he has so it can further benefit my interests in my team"
October 17th, 2018 at 8:56 PM ^
This point exactly.
October 18th, 2018 at 1:39 AM ^
It’s actually more of a real whistle.
October 17th, 2018 at 10:16 PM ^
I’m not sure about his participation this season but another poster said he’s leaving after playing in four games and preserving his redshirt
October 17th, 2018 at 11:16 PM ^
This might explain the timing and we may get a few more coming down the pike soon if that is indeed the case.
October 18th, 2018 at 7:40 AM ^
Thanks for posting this. I had no idea that the transfer rules had just changed. That seems to make the most sense as to the timing of his announcement. It is going to be interesting to see how this new transfer database alters how teams manage their rosters.
I wonder if this also has an impact in recruiting as we seem to be recruiting for a class that is much larger than the projected number of available scholarships next year.
October 18th, 2018 at 1:51 PM ^
Or MAYBE he had a heart to heart conversation with the coaches and they didn't see it happening for him, and he is leaving now so that there doesn't appear to be a logjam of players at the spot to help out with future recruiting. Maybe it is the most selfless and team-oriented thing ever.
Truth is, not one of us knows, and it is super easy for any one of us to tell ourselves a story that helps fill some narrative.
Maybe we just wish him well.
October 17th, 2018 at 8:20 PM ^
That's fine that he's transferring but what I don't get is why not just play out the season and then transfer?
October 17th, 2018 at 10:17 PM ^
Because if he only played four games he can Redshirt this year and not have to wait a year.
October 17th, 2018 at 10:57 PM ^
He already redshirted. He will still need to sit out all of next year whether he transfers today or after the season.
October 18th, 2018 at 3:04 AM ^
nope, doesn't work that way.
October 17th, 2018 at 8:25 PM ^
Oh yeah, I heard about this...sucks; hopefully he'll land somewhere that benefits him. Hate to lose him but between what we have and what we're recruiting, we shouldn't be affected
October 17th, 2018 at 8:33 PM ^
This is a shame as we never got to see Drew do his thing. He was dominate in high school. Best of luck to him in the future.
October 17th, 2018 at 8:51 PM ^
He was dominant in high school, not dominate.
October 18th, 2018 at 1:40 AM ^
I heard he really dominanted.
October 17th, 2018 at 8:39 PM ^
Well, crap. Sad to see guys transfer out, but if that's what they think is best for them, so be it. I hope finds the right place and has a successful career.
October 17th, 2018 at 8:43 PM ^
Probably not going to hurt as we have plenty of guys to replace Bush if he decides to enter the draft, but yeah...losing a highly touted recruit before we've had a chance to see what he can really do kinda sucks. I was excited about him. Good luck to him.
October 17th, 2018 at 8:47 PM ^
RS freshman transfer? That's a little early, but he has his reasons. It's not like he got passed up. He's too young to be passed up. This is a shame.
October 17th, 2018 at 9:00 PM ^
So long as UM recruits at a high level year after year, attrition will occur. Specific reasons will vary, but current and projected playing time will almost always be a factor. Maybe he realizes Gil and Ross have multiple years of eligibility left. McGrone may be tearing it up in practice. Seeing the same thing with Men's B Ball.
October 17th, 2018 at 9:07 PM ^
All the best to Drew. Wish we had gotten to see him contribute but hopefully he finds success wherever he lands.
October 17th, 2018 at 9:11 PM ^
Nooooo! I was so excited to see him in a winged helmet as an upper class man. Sooo much potential.
October 17th, 2018 at 9:13 PM ^
Timing seems strange considering he won't be able to enroll somewhere else until next semester, but best of luck to him.
October 17th, 2018 at 10:47 PM ^
And this is what I don't understand. Where does he go? Why bail on a semester of college credits? No school is taking him in mid-October, so why not just redshirt, finish out the semester, and go somewhere else in January?
October 17th, 2018 at 10:47 PM ^
EDIT: Double.
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