UM Football Recruiting - by WM Wolverine

[Rocky Bleier]

The only true freshman QB that really wowed me out of the box was Dan Marino.

[Jeff Buchanan]

Devin Gardner was more highly ranked than Maty Mauk and the equal of Zeke Pike. He was a five star QB on Scout, and the 5th overall ranked QB.

Points taken by both of you.

If I'm not mistaken Gardner was ranked among dual threat QBs not pro-style. There's a difference there. The Borges WCO as he has employed it in just about every program he has been with uses a pro-style not a dual threat QB. Borges is not a triple option or read option guy .... never has been. DG is.

Borges' offenses look more like the 49er's under Walsh with that offense being run by Montana. Steve Young did run in that offense and was a threat with his legs especially inside the 20 but both of those QBs in Walsh's WCO were deadly accurate passers.

I agree with you, Who, it's unfair to evaluate DG at this point based on the few plays he's run but QBs who are "deadly accurate" passers played QB from Pop Warner on up developing the eye-hand skills to do that kind of thing. I think Morris, even though I've only seen his HS tape, has a better chance of succeeding in a Borges designed WCO than DG does.

[whodean]

Doesn't Gardner have the rep. of being a better passer than Robinson? I'd classify DG as a passer who can also run, not really an option QB.

[lineygoblue]

Gardner has a great arm, and can hit the long ball with accuracy. The only reason we haven't seen more of Gardner at QB is due to his injuries, and the fact that the kid from Florida who plays in front of him is probably the most explosive offensive player that Michigan has had since Anthony Carter.

Give Gardner a chance here. If he regains eligibility thru 2014, our QB situation is going to be quite solid. And, Shane Morris will be able to redshirt as well.

[Optimus Prime]

Really? Let me ask you to what end ultimately? Denard is exciting to watch no doubt and one of only a few bright spots on RR's former roster. Once we hit Big Conference play (as usual) he was essentially neutralized as the losses mounted and Heisman hype vanished.

[Mackenzie]

I hope DG and the coaching staff have more confidence in his abilities to be successful in a pro style offense than many on this board. Otherwise, we may have another QB transfer out and then where would that leave us. In this instance, I favor the "scheme doesn't matter" philosophy--or at least matter as much as the opposing camp would have us believe.

[Mackenzie]

Post on Scout saying Burbridge committs to MSU. This apparently based on information posted on his Facebook account.

[hodgkal]

FWIW I thought DG looked pretty solid in the Spring game. I agree with those who say it is way too early to dismiss him as a solid starter in the years ahead. I am no expert but I think it is unrealistic to draw firm conclusions about his potential this early in the game.

On a separate topic, did anyone else see the interview with Herbstreit on Morning Joe this morning? He talked about what teams will be powerhouses in the coming season and put Oklahoma at the top of his list. When asked about Ohio State he mentioned they will be hampered by the scandal and loss of TP but still they will physically dominate all the teams they meet in the regular season. IOW, they are Loaded. Ouch!

But he says next year is a bit iffy for the Buckeyes.


Watch after the commercial. Lots of good stuff:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036789/ns/msnbc_tv-morning_joe/#43925228

[Jamie H]

Doesn't Gardner have the rep. of being a better passer than Robinson? I'd classify DG as a passer who can also run, not really an option QB.

Yes, that is correct. I think the apt comparison would be Troy Smith. Hurts you more by using his feet to buy time to throw than by just running the ball.

[Jeff Buchanan]

Post on Scout saying Burbridge committs to MSU. This apparently based on information posted on his Facebook account.

General sense on Rivals M board is that he has committed to MSU and will not be at the BBQ this weekend.

Burbridge is a high risk/high reward prospect based on his academics. If I've got this right, M had taken a wait and see approach, meaning they were going to wait and see how his grades turned out. MSU probably didn't do that.

Opinions I've read suggest M will keep recruiting him 'till signing day if it turns out he can qualify academically.

[Hannibal]

We need blue chip WRs badly. Burbridge to MSU hurts, unless we can pick up at least one other stud like Darboh. There is a hole developing at wide receiver similar to the holes at DB and LB that manifested themselves in the RichRod era.

Burbridge is a high risk/high reward prospect based on his academics..

Where's the risk? If he doesn't make grades, you don't have to honor his scholarship.

[Jeff Buchanan]

Hanni .... I think it matters at this point, though I don't claim to know for sure, but let's say M grabs Burbridge and then come early December his grades hit the record books and it turns out he can't cut it academically at M. Now what? You've got hole in the 2012 class that is not likely going to get filled by a blue chipper that late in the game. I think Hoke and Co. want to wrap up the 2012 class early and that seems to be the trend nationally.

I can see the thinking; maybe someone has another thought on this. Recruiting is not an area where I have a lot of good insight.

[Hannibal]

I agree that you don't want the guy to become ineligible and leave a hole in your class, but I can't see why you don't accept him while continuing to recruit and accept commitments from other guys. We need more than one WR anyways. As long as it's mutually understood that you're doing that. If he fails to qualify, at least your rival isn't getting him. There are no quality receivers out there that look like heavy Michigan leans right now. We could end up with none.

Let's hope that slow playing this kid doesn't come back to haunt us like it looks like it might with Jonathon Hankins.

[Jamie H]

The good news is that you can fill the WR hole pretty quickly. Look at Manningham--a guy like him was good as a freshman and a stud by his sophomore year. Yeah, you have to find some stud WRs, but they can contribute right away.

[WM Wolverine]

Disappointed Burbridge is going to MSU, M probably could've landed him if they would've pursued harder but they didn't want to risk him not being eligible academically.