Michigan's Kevin Grady: Kelly Baraka Part Deux?

When the University of Michigan recruited five-star RB Kevin Grady in 2005, they saw him as the next great RB to come to Ann Arbor.  Instead they have got themselves the next Kelly Baraka.

You may ask, who is Kelly Baraka?

He was a five-star RB, in 2001, out of Portage Northern, located in Southwest Michigan.  He was a two-way star that could have been like Charles Woodson. Instead, he got arrested on marijuana possession charges twice.

He sat out his freshman year at the University of Michigan because of the incidents and was later "sadly dismissed" by now retired coach Lloyd Carr.  It was a sad day for the program, because the kid had it all and let pot ruin it.

Others may ask, who is Kevin Grady?

He is a five-star RB, from 2005, out of East Grand Rapids High, who broke four State of Michigan football records and was a member of the All-Sate team. He was a great talent, hamstrung with injuries and poor decisions.   

In 2008, Grady was arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol.  He was suspended for one game.  A year prior, Grady had moved positions and rehabbed a torn ACL, and claimed to be ready for the challenges ahead.  Obviously he wasn't mature enough.  

What we have learned from Kevin Grady over the last year or two was that he is not mentally prepared to play student-athlete at the University of Michigan.  He was given an olive branch by Coach Rodriguez, one he didn't have to offer.

Coach Rod talked with his father, explained what needed to be done, and obviously that didn't get through.  Michigan gave him a shot, when others would have cut lines with the player.   

So what does Grady go do? He decided to skip probationary items on his "to-do list" from the judge.  Not only is that stupid, it's intolerable. Not only does he deserve the seven days he got in the clink, he deserves to be dismissed from the University of Michigan football program. 

This is an opportunity where Coach Rodriguez can tell the college football recruits out there that Michigan doesn't deal with repeat offenders.  As the head football coach, you need to make a statement that you win with honor and not disgraced players.  

You gave him a second chance, do you give him a third?  I say not at all. 

In all the years of following Michigan sports, these are perhaps two of the most interesting players with five-star talent, to disappoint so much.  We can discuss David Bowens too, but for these players to throw dirt on the winged helmet as they did, show there disrespect for themselves, the program, and the University.

Michigan likes to talk about Michigan Men, these two are nowhere near men, but boys among men.