Signing Day Capsule: Stephen Hopkins

Stephen Hopkins is eighth commitment in the Wolverines 2010 recruiting class. Get up to date on Hopkins’ recruitment and learn more about this power runner and how he came to Michigan from Flower Mount, Texas.

Stephen Hopkins
Running back 6-0/210/4.60
Marcus HS (Flower Mound, TX)
NR: *** - Position Rank: 55

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His Recruiting Story
When you think Big 10 running backs, you think of a big, bruising back that likes to run between the tackles. The Wolverines get that and more from their eighth commit. In his junior season he, at 6-foot, 210-pounds, drew comparisons to a former Buckeye back-fielder “Beanie” Wells, as he ran for 1,700 yards and left numerous battered and bruised defenders in his wake. He has set Marcus single game rushing and all-time rushing records. With a resume like that it is understandable why the all-state running back had the attention of Kansas, Nebraska, Stanford, Texas A&M and many others.

In his senior year at Marcus HS Hopkins tacked on an additional 1,318 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns. Hopkins is another one of the seven Wolverines to enroll at Michigan during the holiday break. Hopkins is now on campus and will participate in spring practice this April.

His Commitment Comments
“I know about Michigan,” he said confidently. “If you know about college football, you should know about Michigan. I know about the running backs that they’ve always had, so that’s a plus.”

“They were real,” Mr. Hopkins stated. “I say that after seeing a number of different staffs (the Michigan coaches) were real. Everybody says they’re family, but dealing with this staff was like dealing with a family reunion. I felt like I was with my brothers instead of with a bunch of coaches that I’m just meeting for the first time.”

GoBlueWolverine Commentary
Michigan is losing its traditional power back, Brandon Minor, and its speed back, Carlos Brown, to graduation. Hopkins is a downhill runner who is best going north-south. He has great knee drive and vision, while maintaining tremendous pad level. He provides the needed beef required in the Big 10 running game. He's big; he's strong, has good speed, and can catch out of the backfield. His size will also make it easier for him to adjust to blocking at the collegiate level. Stephen is not afraid of contact and can provide goal-line and short yardage capability, yet can still gobble up yards in spread schemes. He is powerful, but also shows quickness, speed and ability to identify a hole and burst through it.