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Obama Greets Michigan Star QB Denard Robinson

ANN ARBOR (CBS Detroit/AP) — President Barack Obama gave Michigan's star quarterback a shout-out during his campus visit to talk college affordability.

Shortly after greeting the crowd of about 4,000 on Friday at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, he said: "Denard Robinson is in the house," prompting big applause.

He added: "I hear you're coming back, man. That is a good deal for Michigan."

The school announced earlier this month that Robinson would be back for his senior season.

Robinson threw for 2,173 yards and ran for 1,176 in his first season under new coach Brady Hoke. Michigan beat Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl.

When someone in the audience yelled: "Denard Robinson in 2012" the president joked that Robinson has to graduate — and get a little older — before he runs.

The president seems in good spirits in general as he joked those who'd gathered in Glick Fieldhouse to hear his message.  "I wanna thank you all for coming out this morning. I know, for folks in college, this is still really early. I remember those days," Obama said, to laughter from the crowd.

Many of students present for Friday's speech had waited for hours in the cold to get a ticket. Some waited overnight.

MORE: Obama Slams Rising Cost Of College In Ann Arbor Address

(TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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