The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/152358
nately, he didn't find the same success at Michigan, failing to record a reception in three seasons between receiver and tight end. He did earn his U‑M degree and with it is eligible to play right away in 2013 and is expected to start for his new team, Massachusetts. Marvin Robinson — Another one of Rodriguez's most-hyped recruits, the four-star safety out of Eagle Lake, Fla., was locked in a battle at safety his sophomore year before running into legal trouble and health problems. During his junior season in 2012, he vowed to come back stronger, but he couldn't beat out incumbent Jordan Kovacs and Thomas Gordon for playing time. Robinson has decided to transfer to Division II Ferris State and is eligible in 2013. Ray Vinopal — When U-M landed the two-star safety in December 2009, it sent shivers down the spine of Wolverines fans, who came to the conclusion Rodriguez's staff was in full-scale panic mode. It would get worse when the undersized 5‑10, 197-pounder managed to start six games in 2010, recording 33 tackles. Homesick, Vinopal transferred to Pittsburgh, which is 160 miles closer to Youngstown, Ohio, than Ann Arbor, appeared in all 13 games in 2012, and is expected to compete for a starting safety job this fall. No longer in football: Defensive back Demar Dorsey; running back Stephen Hopkins; quarterback Conelius Jones; linebacker Antonio Kinard; offensive lineman Christian Pace; wide receiver Jerald Robinson; linebacker Davion Rogers; cornerback Terrence Talbott; defensive tackle Terry Talbott; running back Austin White; defensive tackle Ken Wilkins; and wide receiver D.J. Williamson. ❑ Report Card — C If two words have been used to describe the class of 2010 it's train wreck. Originally a class of 27, only 10 remain for their final season(s) of eligibility. Almost half (12) were gone within the first two years of signing a letter of intent — academic casualties, legal troubles and/or clear indications they were not Michigan-caliber recruits. For many Maize and Blue fans, the 2010 class will go down as unforgiveable — the group that stretched the boundaries of standards set forth in more than 130 years of U-M student-athletes. However, the black cloud that the 2010 class brought upon the program is lifting with the emergence of those still in Ann Arbor. Linebacker Jake Ryan has the potential to be one of the best Michigan defensive players of the past 25 years, and Devin Gardner could eventually enter the conversation of the school's all-time great quarterbacks. Classmates such as cornerback Courtney Avery, defensive tackle Jibreel Black, and wide receivers Drew Dileo and Jeremy Jackson are also poised to be big contributors this fall. In other words, there is time and opportunity to improve the reputation of the 2010 class.