Infractions panel forces Michigan football camp change

training camp

“When we’ll be in front of the committee, that normally would be our first day of two-a-days, but we have adjusted our schedule so I won’t miss any practices,” Rodriguez said in Chicago at the Big Ten preseason meetings. “We’ll still have two-a-days, it’ll just be the next day. ... We’ll keep it from being a distraction. I’ll have to go and do it, and it’s something that we all at the university have to go and look forward to meeting with them and furthering that process along.”

Michigan has disputed one of the five allegations, maintaining that Rodriguez didn’t promote an atmosphere of compliance.

Rodriguez said he plans to fly to Seattle on Aug. 13 for the meeting on the 14th.

SHAW UNCERTAIN? Rodriguez was asked about the running back situation and notably overlooked junior Michael Shaw in his comments.

Rodriguez said Vincent Smith “should be 100% for camp healthy, which is key for us there; and then Mike Cox had a really good spring, and he’s a guy that we’re really looking forward to progress; and Fitz Toussaint had a really good spring and was injured last year,” Rodriguez said. “Those three in particular should be guys that will lead the charge for us.”

Among active players, Shaw is U-M’s leading career rusher with 84 carries for 400 yards (4.8 average) and two touchdowns.

Rodriguez, who said he expected all players except Will Heininger were healthy to start camp next week, then was asked about Shaw’s eligibility status.

“We’re still waiting on summer school, and we don’t comment on our guys academically,” he said. “They still have two weeks of summer school left for some of our players, so we’ll keep you in touch.”

STONUM UPDATE: Wide receiver Darryl Stonum, who spent three days in jail in June for repeated probation violations, will not face more team punishment for his transgressions, Rodriguez said.