WH
Devin Gardner Picking Monday
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To the chase: three solid sources, one of them Buckeye Planet's unionfutura, indicate that MI QB Devin Gardner has moved up his announcement date to Monday. He plans on attending the Michigan junior day festivities this Friday; you can draw your own conclusions from that. Also, both sources indicate it's looking very, very good for M. BP has already labeled him a Michigan verbal. Party hats are likely.
Gardner would be a big pickup. Today's weird Rivals 100—which does not include Gardner or Ricardo Miller—aside, Gardner is widely regarded as one of two players vying to be the state's top prospect. (Southeastern LB/DE Will Gholston is the other.) Gardner was Michigan's top QB priority this year and has offers on the table from Notre Dame, LSU, Michigan State, and others.
Here's a TomVH interview with Gardner from last year for more detail, and some camp highlights:
The general WOTS is that Gardner needs a lot of fundamentals work but is a big-time athlete. ESPN's (now apparently free) evaluation is two-sided:
He is a fantastic prospect athletically and looks great on the hoof. Is the ideal fit for the spread offense and a short controlled passing game that plays off his threat as a runner. He is a gifted player with his legs and can improvise and create positive plays when things break down. Initial quickness and ability to take off out of the pocket is excellent.… However, for all his athleticism and arm strength, Gardner's mechanics need a lot of work. Fortunately he is blessed with height because he has a very low release point and is a side-arm passer that cradles the ball and tends to push it in his delivery. … Like Vince Young there is probably only so much you can do with his throwing mechanics, but lots that can be done with his feet to help him become more consistent. He is green, but talented.
The ideal situation is a successful Forcier era followed by two years of a schooled and ready Gardner schooling foes. More when the deed is official.
March 11th, 2009 at 2:24 PM | 
"More when the deed is
"More when the deed is
March 11th, 2009 at 2:28 PM |
Newsome and Beaver
Newsome and Beaver
March 11th, 2009 at 2:39 PM |
I sure hope so, but like many
I sure hope so, but like many
I sure hope so, but like many others, after last year I will not be emotionally invested in any of these kids until they sign a LOI.
or uh, Duder, or El Duderino if you're not into the whole brevity thing.
March 11th, 2009 at 2:54 PM |
Co-sign!
Co-sign!
Co-sign!
I automatically downvote "B1G"
March 11th, 2009 at 2:36 PM |
Kevin.....
Kevin.....
Kevin Newsome's recruitment was completely different than Devin Gardner's. Kevin Newsome didn't commit with intentions of staying committed. There were other factors involved.
Tom VanHaaren I TomVH on Twitter I U Recruit I Email
March 11th, 2009 at 2:43 PM |
"There were other factors
"There were other factors
"There were other factors involved."
Please elaborate. I am not being a prick, I really want to know.
or uh, Duder, or El Duderino if you're not into the whole brevity thing.
March 11th, 2009 at 2:49 PM |
I'm not going....
I'm not going....
I'm not going to elaborate, but I'll word it like this. It was good PR for him to commit to Michigan. Devin Gardner doesn't need to do any of that, he has the offers.
Tom VanHaaren I TomVH on Twitter I U Recruit I Email
March 11th, 2009 at 2:54 PM |
I can read between the lines.
I can read between the lines.
I can read between the lines. Newsome wasn't getting the high flight offers so he "comitted" to Michigan to garner attention from the suitors he was really hoping for. He played us like a fiddle. gardner doesn't need to do that. I understand that. My question is, and I don't want to piss you off and that is not my intention but, what is with the vaguely answering without answering thing? Why not elaborate? What is the deal?
or uh, Duder, or El Duderino if you're not into the whole brevity thing.
March 11th, 2009 at 2:59 PM |
Yea....
Yea....
Yea, you're not bothering me at all. I just don't like putting stuff like that out there. It's not really that important, he decommitted and that's it. I'm not trying to keep info from anyone. It just was one of those things that I'm not going to bash the kid for.
Tom VanHaaren I TomVH on Twitter I U Recruit I Email
March 11th, 2009 at 7:30 PM |
Only problem (if he commits)
Only problem (if he commits)
Only problem (if he commits) is that it will play out one of two ways:
1) T-Force and D-Rob aren't the clear answers, our team sucks, and he stays committed
2) T-Force or D-Rob is the truth, he gets other people in his ear, stars to waiver, and eventually de-commits.
Now I don't mind Option #2, because it means we have a solid QB. Wouldn't want him going to OSU though.
March 11th, 2009 at 7:51 PM |
#3
#3
Maybe Gardner has gotten very good advice and realizes that he needs a couple of years to develop... he redshirts, then sits and learns, then takes occasional snaps, then stars for UM for two years.
March 11th, 2009 at 8:31 PM |
I agree - this is an option.
I agree - this is an option.
I agree - this is an option. In fact it makes the most sense for DG, but who relies on sense in this day and age? I think what people around the kid should be telling him (the truth) is for him to work on his mechanics for two years then look to play either his soph (rs) and junior seasons, or junior and senior seasons. I think the NFL would MUCH prefer to take a kid who has had three years to work on his mechanics and spend only two of those years being knocked around.
March 11th, 2009 at 2:59 PM |
I'm guessing it's because
I'm guessing it's because
I'm guessing it's because TomVH is privy to inside info, and he doesn't want to betray anyone's confidence or trust. Also, we've learned in the past year or so that recruiting, and other things (see McGuffie, Sam), can be a fluid situation and you have to be wary of saying anything definitive until news becomes official. I think.
March 11th, 2009 at 2:47 PM |
Gardner's throwing motion.
Gardner's throwing motion.
Wow, that kid is raw. Several throws were off target and seemed like he was really aiming rather than throwing. I can see where ESPN's analysis came from. Can't wait to see his progression, hopefully with us.
"Everyone gets dumped Gabe. Let me give you some advice: a little coverup on your Adams Apple will make it appear smaller. Which will make you appear less like a transvestite."
March 11th, 2009 at 2:51 PM |
Release
Release
Looks like a great athlete, obviously. His release is the issue, he sets the ball below his chin, then when he throws he moves it into the "cocked" position and finally releases it. You might say this is a "hitch". This should be easily fixed by an experienced coach. Hopefully he'll be a Wolverine.
March 11th, 2009 at 2:58 PM |
Receivers
Receivers
Dang, can we recruit a couple of those receivers in the video, too?
I automatically downvote "B1G"
March 11th, 2009 at 3:01 PM |
I thought RichRod hated
I thought RichRod hated
I thought RichRod hated in-state recruiting
March 11th, 2009 at 3:05 PM |
RichRod doesn't hate it. But
RichRod doesn't hate it. But
RichRod doesn't hate it. But with Mark Dantonio totally dominating in-state recruiting now and forever
Sorry, I couldn't even finish that without laughing.
March 11th, 2009 at 3:17 PM |
Dantonio owns RR and
Dantonio owns RR and
Dantonio owns Michigan. He's currently boning Jennifer Granholm and Mary Sue Coleman at the same time.
March 11th, 2009 at 3:01 PM |
This is good news!
RR needs
This is good news!
RR needs
This is good news!
RR needs this kid badly. More competition is always good for a program.
March 11th, 2009 at 3:18 PM |
an attempt at sarcasm: Devin Gardner
an attempt at sarcasm: Devin Gardner
This guy is clearly a highly pownable newb. did you see that video? looks like the ducks went south for the winter a little early. Like those little cats say, "I can has accurate quarterback?" but the answer is always "NO". I've taken more accurate shits. Seriously, my shits go straight down the hole at the bottom of the toilet. This guy probably sprays it all over the toilet seat. Loose spirals and Loose Stool, its all the same. I hate guys like that (or girls). speaking of girls, look at his hands. Those are not big ten hands, but RR wouldnt know that. At least RR has locked down Wayne County for the time being, but hey does he know there are 82 other counties that are Dantonio country? This is a good time for a tacopants joke, but I can't think of any.
March 11th, 2009 at 3:52 PM |
It is becoming increasingly
It is becoming increasingly
It is becoming increasingly clear that RR either will not or cannot grasp the concept of the Michigan Hands.
March 11th, 2009 at 3:59 PM |
Gardner Rankings
Gardner Rankings
Is there a reason Gardner was not even on the Rivals 250 to watch list? I understand evaluations are early and to not be in the top 100 is not a huge deal to me as there is a lot that will change in regards to rankings. The fact he wasn't identified as someone that has the skills to be a high caliber player just strikes me as odd. No?
March 11th, 2009 at 5:04 PM |
He was on the list...
He was on the list...
Gardner was on the 250 to watch list, it's just not listed in his profile on Rivals.
March 11th, 2009 at 5:57 PM |
This seems sudden
This seems sudden
Just yesterday, Notre Dame's Rivals page had this to say about his recruitment:
Devin Gardner is in no hurry to narrow his list of prospective programs. But Notre Dame has kept in contact with the 6-foot-4, 195-pound dual-threat quarterback and may get a spring visit.
I just hope he doesn't plan on taking visits if he does commit Monday. I don't want to go through that bullshit again this year.
They mostly come at night... mostly.
March 11th, 2009 at 10:54 PM |
Stay with me on this whole
Stay with me on this whole
Stay with me on this whole post before labeling me an idiot. I remember the hype surrounding Tyrell Pryor was that he was very good on his feet but there were a lot of questions with his arm. One year later the predictions about TP were pretty accurate. He was able to make a lot of plays with his feet but his arm was very sub-par at best. No I am not comparing the 2 because they are different people but the hype seems to be about the same. I think that riding the pine for 2 years would probably do him a lot of good. If TP had that opportunity it could have been a lot better for him so let's thank God Boeckman sucked so bad.
"You're making too much out of this, I didn't go to college and look at me, I'm kick-ass"
March 12th, 2009 at 10:03 AM |
Boeckman did not suck that bad
Boeckman did not suck that bad
He was a much better passer than TP, and in the games I saw I think the offense was more productive when Boeckman was in.
March 12th, 2009 at 10:21 AM |
Passer Rating:
Pryor:
Passer Rating:
Pryor:
Passer Rating:
Pryor: 145.62
Boeckman: 132.16
Yds/Attt:
Pryor: 7.9
Boeckman: 6.7
TD/INT:
Pryor: 12/4
Boeckman: 5/2
Do you still think he's better?
No question, Jim.
"More when the deed is official."
So... uh... we learned nothing from Newsome and Beaver then?
or uh, Duder, or El Duderino if you're not into the whole brevity thing.