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Michigan Football: Dennis Norfleet’s Transfer Opens Door for Underclassmen

By Joel Greer

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Its been about 90 days since Dennis Norfleet was suspended from the Michigan football team. The situation was caused by academic or other internal problems.

After a few months passed, it was learned that Norfleet transferred to Tuskegee University in Alabama, a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Since Norfleet moved on to an NCAA Division II school, he can play immediately without sitting out a year.

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The 5-7, 168 pounder was the primary return specialist for the Wolverines, setting all-time U-M records for career kickoff returns (90) and kickoff return yards (2,203).

Norfleet also played sparingly for ex-coach Brady Hoke as a punt returner, wide receiver, running back and even cornerback.

No touchdowns

But there was one thing missing from his stat sheet, a kickoff return for a touchdown.

On several occasions, he appeared to be headed for the endzone on one of his flashy returns, until a step-quicker defender spoiled the fun.

In fact, Michigan has been without a kickoff return for a touchdown since Darryl Stonum found paydirt from 94 yards out in 2009.

Martaveous Odoms was the last Wolverine to return a punt (unblocked) for a touchdown with a 73-yarder in 2008.

Blame Hoke?

Somehow, Coach Hoke never experienced a scoring kick return (unblocked) during his four seasons at Michigan.

Obviously coach Jim Harbaugh would like to change the Wolverines’ luck and may have the horses to do it.

Jabrill Peppers, the nation’s No. 2 recruit in 2014, barely saw action last season after injuring an ankle in the Appalachian State season opener.

Now healthy, Peppers is expected to return punts, play free safety on defense and figure in the slot equation on offense.

A pure speedster at Paramus Catholic HS in New Jersey, Peppers was a two-sport star like Michigan teammate Drake Johnson. On the gridiron the 6-1, 200 lb. Peppers ran for 3.079 yards and scored 43 touchdowns in his high school career. On the track the 5-star sensation set the state record of 20.79 in the 200-meter dash.

Another Charles Woodson

Peppers has often been compared to Michigan Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson who led the Wolverines to the co-national championship (with Nebraska) in 1997, while playing cornerback, wide receiver and on return teams.

“There’s three ways that you can contribute,” Coach Harbaugh said of Peppers. “You can contribute offensively, defensively and on special teams,” Harbaugh said. “It’s rare that someone does offense, defense and special teams. The rare three-way player.

“It’s exciting when someone’s capable of doing that, it means they have some real gifts athletically and they’re really smart and sharp enough to understand three different systems.”

Apr 5, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Freddy Canteen (17) and defensive back Blake Countess (18) during the Spring Game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Expected to return kickoffs is either Peppers or sophomore Freddy Canteen, who has 4.43 speed and is the leading candidate at the slot receiver position.

Watch for Cole

Another possible candidate for the return game is early enrollee Brian Cole, who played just about every position at Saginaw Heritage HS. The State of Michigan’s top-ranked receiver, the 6-2, 200 lb. Cole will begin his Wolverine career at either the slot or wide receiver positions. Don’t be surprised if he wins either the kickoff or punt return spots, either.

“He’s great,” senior receiver Amara Darboh said of Cole. “He’s a shifty guy so like all of us we’ve got to work on the playbook but he has a great attitude and I think he’s adjusting very well.”

Next: Recovering Drake Johnson leads running backs into camp

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