attrition
cj stokes
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[Patrick Barron]

Exit: CJ Stokes Comment Count

Seth December 11th, 2023 at 11:06 AM

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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Comments

Davy Found

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. 

Joined: 12/07/2017

MGoPoints: 3883

bronxblue

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.

Joined: 11/22/2008

MGoPoints: 171747

NeverPunt

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

Joined: 03/26/2019

MGoPoints: 41187

FlexUM

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. 

Joined: 11/05/2011

MGoPoints: 13573

AlbanyBlue

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.

Joined: 09/11/2010

MGoPoints: 22040

BlueChitown

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!).

Joined: 06/26/2009

MGoPoints: 1718

907_UM Nanook

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.

Joined: 04/01/2018

MGoPoints: 15241

Blue boy johnson

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

Joined: 03/15/2009

MGoPoints: 6632

Joby

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.

Joined: 10/19/2011

MGoPoints: -1328