Exit: CJ Stokes
Michigan wasn't going to be immune to the portal as thick depth charts calcify and paths to reps and playing time close. That seems to be the case for CJ Stokes, who looked like a promising Karan Higdon type as a true freshman when Corum and Edwards were hurt, with 55 carries, 273 yards (5 YPC) and 1 TD. His best game was an 8-carry/68-yard slow blowout of Nebraska in '22, but his signature moment in a Michigan uniform was the moment that wasn't, when he tripped on a cutback that would have added to the 2022 blowout of Ohio State.
Stokes makes the cut, but he stumbles — tripped up by the turf monster or by Colston Loveland’s legs. He falls forward for a gain of two and pops back up to his feet with a gesture of frustration in recognition of the squandered opportunity.
“That run against Ohio State was the biggest disappointment for me,” CJ Stokes told The Michigan Insider. “If I would’ve broke that run, I would’ve been a household name. Because there was nobody there! After the D-line, the linebackers weren’t there.
“It was the perfect play. I just slipped in the backfield and didn’t make the play. … I’ve watched that run so many times.”
Same.
Stokes only got one more carry against OSU as one-handed Edwards took over, and Mullings moved over for the bowl. Stokes then struggled to find ways to contribute in a crowded 2023 backfield, finding a couple of carries that went nowhere late against ECU and UNLV.
Technically he began the season behind Donovan Edwards for the "Donovan Edwards" position, but redshirting Cole Cabana seemed to move ahead when he got healthy later this year. If Edwards were to leave for the NFL, Stokes was going to have to Cabana for that shrinking role, and was going to have a tough time battling Mullings, super-promising Benjamin Hall, 2021 RB Tavierre Dunlap, and two well-regarded recruits in Jordan Marshall and Micah Kaapana next year. It was time to move on, possibly back to hometown South Carolina.
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December 11th, 2023 at 11:15 AM ^
i liked him a lot, so it's a bummer...but i hope he's a star somewhere.
December 11th, 2023 at 2:43 PM ^
Yeah, it's a bummer but we have some extremely talented football players buried in the depth chart, Charbonnet went on to be the best running back in the PAC-12 after realizing he wasn't going to get playing time here.
December 11th, 2023 at 11:20 AM ^
Go be great, CJ!
December 11th, 2023 at 11:33 AM ^
Only the best wishes to him.
December 11th, 2023 at 11:42 AM ^
Damn! That's the play DE busted for two TDs in the second half.
December 11th, 2023 at 11:53 AM ^
Good luck CJ and thanks for your contributions!
FWIW, I watched the play vs Ohio St just now and I'm not convinced it's much more than a 10-15 yard gain if he doesn't get tripped up. Also, hard to tell, but I believe a DL gets a hand out to snag his ankle vs. a flat-out stumble.
December 11th, 2023 at 12:05 PM ^
Yeah, it seems like the safety would be in position to make a play there. But we'll never know.
December 11th, 2023 at 12:19 PM ^
Was the safety Lathan Ransom?
December 11th, 2023 at 12:32 PM ^
Couldn't have been, if the safety was in position to make a play.
December 11th, 2023 at 12:19 PM ^
I always thought it was his other run that game where he missed a huge hole with nobody behind it.
December 11th, 2023 at 11:59 AM ^
Loved his toolset but he obviously struggled to break through and get carries. Wishing him all the best wherever he goes
December 11th, 2023 at 12:00 PM ^
A good player and the Higdon comp felt right. But when he came to the team he was looking at maybe Edwards and Dunlap as guys to split carries with and now he's got 4-5 guys credibly fighting for touches. I suspect had Corum left he'd have seen the field more because he looks like a solid P5/high-level G5 back. Wish him luck.
December 11th, 2023 at 12:21 PM ^
Came here to say the same re: Corum. If Blake had gone pro last year, he probably at least gets more carries alongside Mullings this year and maybe showcases something more than what he had. Alas, the talent level has stayed high, Mullings looks like Haskins revisited, Hall is a breakout player, Cabana has the potential to be special, and we're bringing in an great tandem of freshman at a spot where first year guys actually can make an impact.
I could see him ending up a productive starter at a tier 2 power 5 school - hope he does really well wherever he lands
December 11th, 2023 at 3:01 PM ^
Absolutely. He's not a star RB but he could be a productive back at South Carolina/Wake/Purdue-level program without issue. He's shiftier and more athletic than straight-line fast but he looked fine out there against B1G-level defenses.
December 11th, 2023 at 3:54 PM ^
Has there been any chatter about Cabana? I've heard none and wondered.
December 11th, 2023 at 4:37 PM ^
Idk for sure, but The post is material to whatever chatter than is/was. Sounds like Cabana was now solidly in the lead to be the next underutilized RB/WR combo player.
December 12th, 2023 at 3:24 AM ^
I don't know why some have negged you Man, but I upvoted to balance it out!
If we can't agree here in the safety of Mgoblog that certain elements or aspects of the personnel are underutilized, where can we?!
December 11th, 2023 at 12:12 PM ^
I wish he had worked out. Though my memories of him are going to be that guy that was almost always about to break one, but never really did.
December 11th, 2023 at 12:16 PM ^
Will he still be on the team to potentially get a ring next month? Gotta be a tough decision if it means leaving before that.
December 11th, 2023 at 12:23 PM ^
Thanks for everything, CJ. Good luck.
December 11th, 2023 at 12:29 PM ^
Too bad. I always liked that guy.
December 11th, 2023 at 12:45 PM ^
Thanks, CJ. Good luck.
December 11th, 2023 at 12:55 PM ^
I liked him as depth but don't see him being a spectacular player or anything. Wonder if USCe will take him after spurning him a bit in high school, he's a legacy there IIRC.
December 11th, 2023 at 12:57 PM ^
He came during a time when we have more depth at RB than anytime I can ever remember. Wishing CJ all the best!
December 11th, 2023 at 2:05 PM ^
Almost cost us an unsportsman like penalty against OSU last year, so I'm not upset about this one
December 11th, 2023 at 3:13 PM ^
This is one of the ones that is a huge bummer to me. That isn't anything towards him. I thought he had "it". Maybe not "it" enough to be a star, but enough to be a very solid contributor. This seems like one of those situations where he could just go somewhere and be a star and maybe it just didn't work for whatever reason here.
Seemed like a solid guy and teammate. Wish him the best.
December 11th, 2023 at 3:23 PM ^
I know this is the new normal in CFB, but it sure makes this time of year a bummer. Especially since this is another season where the Michigan team seems a lot like a close-knit family.
Bummer to see CJ go, but I wish him nothing but the best.
December 11th, 2023 at 3:44 PM ^
Not surprised. Wish him the best.
Just have to say, there is a HUGE difference between Michigan's guys entering the portal when other guys are clearly ahead of them ... and OSU's guys entering the portal leaving huge question marks at the positions they vacated (like QB!).
December 11th, 2023 at 4:06 PM ^
Best of luck C.J. You'll always be a Michigan Man.
December 11th, 2023 at 4:24 PM ^
I believe CJ was the first official Mike Hart recruit in the RB room. And I was excited to see how he did after Blake & Donovan left. Bottom line - he's still got a great future & I would imagine a bevy of suitors vying for his services. Go Blue forever CJ.
December 11th, 2023 at 4:41 PM ^
Bummer. Like this young man. He had hard edge, not crazy, Semaj Morgan attitude. He will do well somewhere. Once he didn’t play after alleged injury, and no info on him this Fall, I feared this was going to be the outcome
December 11th, 2023 at 4:53 PM ^
Best of luck to him. I hope to hear of his success against everyone except Michigan.
December 11th, 2023 at 5:34 PM ^
All the best to you, Mr. CJ Stokes! I will be cheering for your success!
December 12th, 2023 at 2:09 AM ^
The thing I’ll probably remember the most are his press appearances. He was accountable, mature, humble and relatable. Will definitely be rooting for him at his next stop.
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