The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1451622
2022 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY ANTHONY BROOME Jim Harbaugh looks to fill his pro- gram with winning players that live and breathe the game of football. CJ Stokes is another in a long line of Wolverine pros- pects that fit the bill, and then some. Stokes, a three-star prospect and the No. 788 player in the On3 Consensus rankings, only knows how to win. His of- fer sheet included Penn State, Missouri, South Carolina, Vanderbilt, Minnesota, Louisville and Duke, among others. Stokes also leaves behind a high school career that saw him rush for 1,000-plus yards and help lead Hammond School in Columbia, S.C., to a state title in each of his three varsity seasons. "I learned a lot about life, but also learned that change might be a good thing," Stokes told The Wolverine in De- cember. "I started at receiver, I played slot in middle school. And I ended up moving over [to running back] because the coaches and I thought it was a good idea. So change may be good. And I learned that in my four years here." Stokes' prep résumé alone makes him a fit for the Wolverines. However, a viral moment from December's early sign- ing period hammered home the type of player making his way to Ann Arbor. "Thousands of hours of hard work I've put in that 98 percent of people aren't willing to do, and I take it very seriously," Stokes said during his signing day cer- emony. "Lots of people ask me why you don't smile more, 'Why do you always look mad?' To tell you the truth, I am always mad. I'm always trying to look for a way to get better, be better, and that comes with a lot of bad days that I'm holding myself accountable. There's not a lot to smile about yet. There's not a lot to smile about yet. "Sure, I made it to a big D1 college, but my goals expand way further than just walking in the door of college. I'll let out a big smile when I have a degree and a career that I put my all into, whatever that may be, from the NFL or starting my own physical therapy practice. Whatever it is, I'm going to put my all into it." Stokes was courted by running backs coach Mike Hart long before Michigan entered his recruitment in March 2021. The Wolverine assistant needed time to 60 THE WOLVERINE MARCH 2022 Hard Work Defined CJ Stokes' Path To Ann Arbor Stokes, who had a high school career that included three 1,000-yard seasons and a trio of state titles, will bring a never-satisfied approach, will and grit to the running back room. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND