Big Ten Approves Rudock Waiver
[Patrick Barron]
Via Bruce Feldman:
Heard #Iowa transfer QB Jake Rudock's waiver has been approved by the BigTen. #Michigan would be a go for 2015, a source told @FoxSports.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) April 1, 2015 "Hearing" is not quite reporting, but if Feldman says something you can just about take it to the bank. And Rudock is not quite in the boat, but every sign available points to his desire to transfer to Michigan.
Rudock would be a massively important pickup just because he changes the floor on the Michigan quarterbacking situation from "weeping in a pile" to "decent Big Ten starter." If Rudock's been significantly hampered by the Greg Davis effect he could be better. Last year Rudock completed 61% of his passes for a decent 7.1 YPA with 16 TDs and 5 INTs, something that sounds like heaven. He's also a decent runner with a couple hundred yards last year even without sacks removed.
The floor just got higher.
This is what I had to say about the Iowa QB situation back in the pre-season
QB Situation I really don't think Rudock got any help from his receivers. His INT was just about a perfect throw, he also had a TE drop one that hit him in the gut. I thought, for the most part, his accuracy was good, arm strength was good enough. Where he struggled, IMO, was his eyes and getting to the right spot in his progressions on time. Missed a open bench route that should have been his first or second read in his progression (based on defensive key) that lead to Iowa's first punt, for instance.
Beathard might have a little bit better arm strength, though his ball wobbles a bit more. But where he separated himself to me was that he tended to see the field better. Not always on time, but he got the ball where it needed to be eventually. With such a run heavy offense, a lot of the routes will be slower developing, so at least getting it where it needs to be is a good thing, or at least a significant enough improvement.
At the end of the day, I'd have to see the two of them more regularly to make up my mind on who I'd prefer though, this is a small sample size without much separation.
My feelings don't really change on him. He's a guy that is above average in a lot of ways. He struggles getting off of primary reads on time and is at times late. I think, for whatever reason, he also didn't inspire enthusiasm in his teammates. Take that however you will, but the offense seemed to try harder and perform better with Beathard, despite Beathard not really looking significantly better (I think his upside is higher, which is why he eventually took over).
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