CJ Stokes is proving to be a perfect example of the Mike Hart recruiting acumen
Michigan running backs coach Mike Hart was “only” a three-star running back when he arrived at U-M out of a tiny school in upper New York. Few major powers wanted him, and some that did liked him as a cornerback.
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Hart, now the Michigan running backs coach, became one of the Wolverines’ best backs of all time. He wasn’t the biggest or the fastest guy, but he knew how to play the game.
More importantly, he knew how to win, and his desire and work ethic were second to none.
In short, Hart knows as well as anyone what it takes to succeed as a running back at the high major level. And when he saw freshman CJ Stokes‘ film, he saw a hidden gem.
“I always tell guys this — at the end of the day, I don’t recruit stars, if that makes sense,” he said. “I recruit, or try to recruit, good players. He’s a kid that was under-recruited, has great film, was fast … had track times. He ran the ball hard; ran through people. He showed he could catch the ball.
“At the end of the day, just who he is as a person [too]. Talk about a kid who has a strong mind, is confident in himself. He’s not afraid of competition. He’s a kid you know is going to have success in the long run and wants to be great. You have to have kids who want to be great.”
Some just like the recruiting attention, Hart noted. Stokes wasn’t one of them. Rather than field calls every day and get “the love” that comes in the process, Stokes would rather spend his time working.
“He’s a kid that who knew who he was. Just that self motivation,” Hart said. “Those are the kids — the Blake Corums, Donovan Edwards — that show up to work every day. You don’t have to worry about it. They’re going to go to class … going to take care of those things.
“Those things are more important to me as a coach than kids who are ranked five stars because they go to a big school. They may not be that good. That’s just kind of my recruiting philosophy, personally. If you recruit a high maintenance kid, when they get here, they’re going to be high maintenance. Not to say that some of them aren’t great, but there are lots of [other] kids out there who are really, really good players. He’s one of them.”
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Hart wants kids who want to be at Michigan and get what it’s all about. There’s no forcing them to work out or to go to class — they just do it.
“I want kids who want to be here and that love ball,” Hart added. “You don’t have to like force them to come work out, go to class. There are enough kids out there to do that.”
Stokes is one. He and sophomore Tavi Dunlap have been battling for the No. 3 slot, and both had good fall camps, Hart noted.
Stokes, though, showed a burst and more pure running ability in the opener against Colorado State to warrant more action. The competition will continue, but he’s off to a good start.
“I think everyone knew this fall season we had to find a guy who could get carries as a No. 3,” Hart said. “I think they’re both still battling. But I think CJ came in … he’s smart, he works hard, and he runs hard. He has great burst.
“I’m excited about him — still excited about Tavi. I think they’ll both be battling throughout those first couple weeks of who’s going to get more touches, who’s going to get more carries as that No. 3 guy.”
