The Wolverine

January 2013

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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  michigan football Roster Tumult Before Michigan's Bowl Game Cornerback J.T. Floyd, a fifth-year senior who was an All-Big Ten honorable mention honoree this season after starting all 12 games, will not make the trip for the Outback Bowl. A little more than two weeks before Michigan's Jan. 1 matchup with South Carolina in the Outback Bowl, head coach Brady Hoke announced that starting cornerback J.T. Floyd, starting punter Will Hagerup and reserve linebacker Brandin Hawthorne will not be making the trip to Tampa, Fla., suspended for one game after violating team rules. "It is an honor to play football for the University of Michigan, and we have high standards and expectations for everyone that represents our program," said Hoke in a statement.  "These young men used poor judgment in each circumstance, and these suspensions are teaching moments for our team." Redshirt junior wide receiver Jerald Robinson, meanwhile, has left the team on his own. His departure will leave just six scholarship wideouts on the Outback Bowl roster, and will leave just five veterans on the roster next year, with three receiver commitments. Robinson was expected to be a 26  the wolverine    January 2013 photo by lon horwedel breakout player offensively this season with a need for playmakers at the receiver position, but he never got on track and finished the year with only five catches for 69 yards. His departure brings U-M's 2013 scholarship availability allotment to 25. Floyd, a fifth-year senior, and Hawthorne, a senior, have both played their last game in a winged helmet. Floyd was an All-Big Ten honorable mention recipient this past year after starting all 12 games. He notched 48 tackles and five passes broken up. He played in 42 games in his career and started 34, finishing with 179 stops, 18 passes broken up and three interceptions. Hawthorne made five starts at weakside linebacker in 2011, but settled into a role on kickoff and punt coverage this past fall, recording 19 tackles. For his career, he recorded 63 stops, including three for loss. Hagerup was named the Big Ten Punter of the Year and a first-team allconference selection after averaging a career-high 45.0 yards on 33 punts in 2012. He had 13 kicks of 50 yards or more. This is the second suspension of Hagerup's career, following a fourgame sitdown to begin the 2011 campaign. Sophomore Matt Wile, who has averaged 38.2 yards on 26 career punts, filled in for Hagerup then and will be called upon to do so in the bowl game. Michigan will likely turn to junior nickel back Courtney Avery to start for Floyd. Avery appeared in all 12 games this season, including four starts. The coaches have also moved freshman tailback Dennis Norfleet to cornerback. "He's done a nice job so far," Hoke said. "We moved him two weeks ago, and we've talked about it for awhile. Just to get another good athlete on the field. "He played cornerback his sophomore and junior year in high school. He didn't play as a senior. His ball skills are really pretty darn good. Good quickness. He's not the biggest guy in the world, but he's a competitor and he loves to play." Norfleet has averaged 23.4 yards per kickoff return this season on 34 attempts, and has posted two punt returns for 53 yards. He also has rushed the ball twice for 13 yards, but despite measurements — 5-7, 161 pounds — that seemingly would deter him from the defensive side of the ball, Norfleet is on the move. "Is it difficult to make this move? He's willing to learn," Hoke said. "He's a guy that loves to play football." Norfleet will continue to return kickoffs and punts.   2012 Football Schedule Date Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Oct. 27 Nov. 3 Nov. 10 Nov. 17 Nov. 24 Jan. 1 Opponent Time/Result vs. Alabama* L, 41-14 Air Force W, 31-25 UMass W, 63-13 at Notre Dame L, 13-6 at Purdue W, 44-13 Illinois W, 45-0 Michigan State W, 12-10 at Nebraska L, 23-9 at Minnesota W, 35-13 NorthwesternW, 38-31 (OT) Iowa W, 42-17 at Ohio State L, 26-21 vs. South Carolina^ p.m. 1 * at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas ^ Outback Bowl in Tampa, Fla.

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