Promising 4-star early enrollee retiring from football before he even takes a snap for Michigan

Four-star recruit is retiring from football before ever playing a down in college.

Former four-star recruit Corey Malone-Hatcher was an early enrollee at Michigan, but he will never see the field for the Wolverines.

Malone-Hatcher is retiring from football due to an Achilles injury he suffered in high school.

Related: Four-star DE Corey Malone-Hatcher announces his commitment

Malone-Hatcher tore his Achilles in high school, and he has struggled to recover from that injury ever since. He is taking a medical disqualification, which allows him to stay on scholarship even though he won't be able to play. However, he won't count towards Michigan's 85-scholarship limit.

"I apologize to Coach Harbaugh and Coach Matti as I know the expectation was for me to be able to come in and have an immediate impact," Malone-Hatcher said. "Nobody is more disappointed than myself.

"I came to the University of Michigan to be turned into an excellent football player, excellent student, and most importantly a Michigan Man. Sadly, my football career is over."

Malone-Hatcher was a four-star defensive end out of high school, and he was the No. 20 DE in his class according to 247Sports.

Jim Harbaugh did sign four other defensive ends for the Class of 2018, so Malone-Hatcher's absence shouldn't impact the team too much. Still, it's not the ideal situation for either Michigan or Malone-Hatcher.

(h/t Saturday Down South)