Ryan Mallett (image via Sports Illustrated)
Here’s a wrap-up of the 2007 signees who left Michigan before their eligibility was completed.
Zion Babb – Wide receiver/cornerback – Alhambra (CA) Alhambra
Babb committed to the Wolverines as a speed-burning wide receiver, but bounced back and forth between receiver and cornerback in his two years at Michigan. He redshirted as a freshman in 2007. As a receiver in 2008 during Rich Rodriguez’s first year, Babb caught 2 passes for 45 yards. However, there were multiple behavior and attitude issues – including reported verbal altercations with coaches on the practice field – that forced the program to part ways with him. He attended a junior college in 2009 and was reportedly considering transfers to Colorado and New Mexico, but did not appear on either team’s 2010 roster.
Current status: Out of football
Artis Chambers – Safety/linebacker – Fort Wayne (IN) Snider
Chambers committed to the Wolverines as part of a seemingly excellent defensive back haul in 2007, joining Jerimy Finch and Donovan Warren. Chambers played immediately, making 7 tackles as a freshman in 2007. He added 4 tackles in 2008 while playing a linebacker/safety hybrid role, but left the team prior to the end of the season. After the 2008 season, he announced a transfer to Ball State and sat out the 2009 campaign. He was not on Ball State’s 2010 but popped up at Delta State in 2012, where he played in seven games and made 6 tackles.
Current status: Out of football
Hit the jump for several more decommits and transfers.
Toney Clemons – Wide receiver – New Kensington (PA) Valley
Clemons was part of a seemingly excellent wide receiver crew in 2007, joining Junior Hemingway and Zion Babb. He burned a redshirt for 1 catch and 5 yards a freshman in 2007. With the arrival of Rich Rodriguez for the 2008 season, Clemons moved to slot receiver due to little or no depth behind freshman Martavious Odoms. He caught 11 passes for 101 yards as a sophomore in 2008, but transferred to Colorado after the season. He used that redshirt to sit out the 2009 season due to NCAA transfer rules. As a redshirt junior in 2010, Clemons caught 43 passes for 482 yards and 3 TDs; he also rushed the ball 3 times for 17 yards. He was drafted in the 7th round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was cut, but he made 3 catches for 41 yards with Jacksonville Jaguars in 2012.
Current status: Out of football
Marell Evans – Linebacker – Richmond (VA) Varina
Evans was a lightly recruited linebacker recruited from the same high school as running back Brandon Minor. He burned his redshirt as a freshman in 2007 but failed to earn any tackles on special teams. He started one game at linebacker in 2008, but quickly lost that job to John Thompson. Evans finished the season with 4 tackles. He sat out the 2009 season but signed with Hampton University in February 2010. He transferred back to Michigan in 2011 and practiced with the team, but he could not get cleared by the NCAA to play in games.
Current status: Out of football
Jerimy Finch – Safety – Indianapolis (IN) Warren Central
Finch has had a very adventurous career so far. He originally committed to Michigan. Then he committed to Indiana. Then he signed with Florida on National Signing Day. He made 7 tackles and 1 interception before breaking his leg. He then transferred to Indiana but didn’t have to sit out the 2008 season. Instead, he played for the Hoosiers and made 4 tackles. In the 2009 season, he played sparingly and recovered 2 fumbles, but he didn’t make a single tackle the entire season. He left Indiana after the 2009 season, and he was charged with burglary in 2014.
Current status: Out of football
Vince Helmuth – Fullback/defensive tackle – Saline (MI) Saline
Helmuth signed on to play fullback and saw immediate playing time under Lloyd Carr as a freshman in 2007. He was strictly a blocker and special teamer. He eventually outgrew the fullback position and switched to defensive line in the middle of the 2008 season, topping out at being a 291 lb. defensive tackle. He chose to transfer to Miami-OH in 2009 and sat out the football season, but he was no longer on the roster by 2010.
Current status: Out of football
Avery Horn – Running back – Hanford (CA) Hanford
Horn was a small-ish, speedy running back. He redshirted during the 2007 season and seemed like he would benefit from the conversion to the zone read option offense, being quick and shifty. However, he never played a down of offensive football for Michigan. As a redshirt freshman in 2008, he returned 5 kickoffs for 104 yards. He transferred to Reedley College where he played running back in 2009.
Current status: Out of football
Ryan Mallett – Quarterback – Texarkana (TX) Texarkana
Mallett committed to Michigan early in the recruiting cycle, although reports are that he originally liked Arkansas. The problem was that Arkansas already had a highly touted quarterback in Mitch Mustain. Mallett backed up senior Chad Henne in 2007 and completed 61/141 passes for 892 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. When Rich Rodriguez was hired, Mallett decided to transfer to Arkansas, after Mustain had taken flight to USC. Mallett sat out the 2008 season due to NCAA transfer rules and used his redshirt. As a redshirt sophomore for Arkansas in 2009, Mallett started and completed 225/403 passes for 3,624 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. As a redshirt junior in 2010, Mallett completed 266/411 passes for 3,869 yards, 32 TDs, and 12 INTs. He was drafted in the 3rd round (#74 overall) by the New England Patriots in 2011. As a backup and spot starter for the Patriots, Texans, and Ravens over the past seven seasons, he has completed 190/345 passes (55.1%) for 1,835 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
Current status: Backup QB for Baltimore Ravens
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