Michigan Suspends J.T. Floyd, Brandin Hawthorne & Will Hagerup for Outback Bowl

Michigan has suspended three of its players for the Outback Bowl against South Carolina after J.T. Floyd, Brandin Hawthorne and Will Hagerup violated team rules. 

The Michigan Football Twitter reported the news:

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J.T. Floyd, Brandin Hawthorne & Will Hagerup have been suspended for the Outback Bowl for a violation of team rules.

— Michigan Football (@umichfootball) December 16, 2012"

The university has not disclosed the nature of the violations, but MLive.com’s Kyle Meinke reported the following statement from Michigan head coach Brady Hoke:

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It is an honor to play football for the University of Michigan, and we have high standards and expectations for everyone that represents our program. These young men used poor judgment in each circumstance, and these suspensions are teaching moments for our team.

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Meinke also notes that Courtney Avery is the most likely candidate to fill in at cornerback for Floyd, while Matt Wile is next on the depth chart at punter.

Floyd is a senior cornerback, and Hawthorne is a linebacker also in his final year with the Wolverines. The suspension will bring Floyd's and Hawthorne’s careers at Michigan to an extremely disappointing end.

Hagerup is a junior and the team's punter. When the Wolverines take the field against South Carolina on New Year’s Day, the absence of Floyd and Hagerup will be felt.

Floyd started all 12 of Michigan’s games this season, recording 48 total tackles and leading the team with five passes broken up. Hagerup’s play earned him the Big Ten’s Punter of the Year award this season.

Hawthorne did not start a game this year and has 19 total tackles this season.

The Wolverines were already underdogs heading into the Outback Bowl, and these suspensions have made the team’s task even more difficult.