transfers
wilton speight

Goodbye: Wilton Speight (Will Grad Transfer) Comment Count

Seth

Speight announced on Instagram tonight that he plans to transfer elsewhere for his 5th year

Thank you, Michigan. These past 4 years have been nothing short of spectacular. Enrolling in January of 2014 as a kid from Virginia i didn’t know what to expect. Four years later i leave a Michigan Man. The amazing memories with my teammates, playing under the best coaches in America, and enjoying everything that this wonderful university and town have to offer- what a ride. To the fans that stuck with us through thick and thin— thank you. To Coach Hoke for giving a kid with no offers a chance— thank you. To Coach Harbaugh for coming in and making me a better man and a better quarterback. For understanding this decision of mine and always having my back no matter what— thank you. I don’t know where next will be, and I’ll use these next four weeks to figure that out. i’m excited to keep pursuing my dreams in a new jersey, but will forever root for the boys wearing the winged helmet. Go blue!

A post shared by Wilton Speight (@wiltonspeight_3) on

Speight went from afterthought to quarterbacking the best Michigan team in a decade, toughing out a shoulder injury that couldn’t have been healed in time for Ohio State last year. His 2016 performance against Maryland stands as the best half by a quarterback in program history. Since Michigan fans live all over the country, once his eligibility expires I imagine Wilton will have a hard time ever buying a beer for himself again. We’ll be rooting for him wherever he goes.

Michigan also graduates John O’Korn but returns Brandon Peters and will have redshirt freshman Dylan McCaffrey plus two freshmen, and may look to add one more in the transfer market.

Comments

GoBlueInAlabama

November 26th, 2017 at 6:01 PM ^

I liked the idea of having Speight as a safety blanket in case of an injury. I guess Speight did not want to be a safety blanket and I don't blame him. This leaves Michigan with a quarterback who has played basically 3 games and a redshirt freshman. I can only guess that they will add someone into the mix who has some game experience. If nothing else, I am sure they want to avoid the situation that occurred this year. Either way, good luck Wilton.

Joined: 08/20/2017

MGoPoints: 1464

KC Wolve

November 26th, 2017 at 5:50 PM ^

Any clue as to how this went down? Was it WS? Was it Harbaugh? Is it because Peters played well? Is DM really as good as some are saying? So many questions?

Joined: 10/09/2010

MGoPoints: 12674

FreddieMercuryHayes

November 26th, 2017 at 5:52 PM ^

Yeah, I really want to know. I would think saw writing on the wall regarding younger QBs and his performance early this year. But it's not like it's a no doubter. And there's no clear back-up either. And if they go looking for a transfer...not a great look. Gotta know how this went down so soon after the season ended.

Joined: 12/29/2010

MGoPoints: 40860

M-Dog

November 26th, 2017 at 6:17 PM ^

So Peters went from 3rd string to lock starter next year in only 3 games of live action?

Wow.

I had thought that Speight and Peters would be going head to head for the job next year, with no assured winner until fall.

 

Joined: 07/06/2008

MGoPoints: 257385

ijohnb

November 26th, 2017 at 6:27 PM ^

also could indicate turnover on the offensive staff that Speight doesn’t want to deal with, or that the prognosis on his injury and future football isn’t great. It doesn’t seem to me to follow that Harbaugh tell him that he had no hope of starting/playing given our current situation, particularly when he basically has QB tryouts every spring. Since when does Harbaugh choose his next season starter this season, particularly when Peters has proven kind of injury prone already. No, this doesn’t present as a “time to move on son” situation to me. It would be my guess that there is something else at play.

Joined: 09/21/2009

MGoPoints: 69986

The Oracle

November 26th, 2017 at 7:50 PM ^

Harbaugh watched the games. Speight can probably also see that he doesn't have the talent the younger guys have. I imagine Harbaugh would've liked to have Speight back as insurance, but I believe he was honest with Speight about where he stood.

Joined: 12/31/2014

MGoPoints: 4730

elhead

November 26th, 2017 at 6:17 PM ^

and Speight even moreso can move on to another program and start after being in this system for so long. It's but one option for those who come into the program with the only predictable thing being that they will be able to compete with everyone else. Obviously if there are 3-4 QBs in the hopper not all of them are going to play. Doesn't mean they cannot go elsewhere after developing here.

Joined: 11/07/2009

MGoPoints: 3377

bamf16

November 26th, 2017 at 6:17 PM ^

Agreed. You can definitely see that in his tape.

 

If Speight and Malzone both walk as is speculated by some here, UM goes into next season with Peters and McCaffrey. But what happens if they get down to their 3rd string QB again like this year? 

 

Honestly though, I can't recall a grad transfer who had no experience playing. Max Browne, Tom Savage, Nate Peterman, Jake Rudock, Shane Morris... they all transferred as graduate students and had some experience as starters (though Morris only had the 2 games.) How many coaches are going to want to bring in Alex Malzone for one year as a graduate transfer when they have nothing more of him than 4 year old high school film to compare to the high school film of the guys they currently have? I just don't see Malzone leaving a backup gig at UM for anything other than a backup gig somewhere else.

 

As bad as JOK looked this season, and Malzone still couldn't sniff the field.

Joined: 01/05/2014

MGoPoints: -100000

Blue in Paradise

November 26th, 2017 at 8:52 PM ^

Denard to make up for the raw passing skills. Of course, he has way more arm talent than Denard. In either case, it would fantastic if Milton can contribute early but hopefully won’t be necessary with Peters / McCaffery ahead of him

Joined: 08/14/2016

MGoPoints: 36784

FranklinHatchett

November 26th, 2017 at 5:50 PM ^

Good luck to Wilt. Gonna be a hell of a battle between Joe, Brandon, Dcaff and possibly Shea. We gonna be set.

Joined: 11/11/2017

MGoPoints: 1985

go50blue

November 26th, 2017 at 5:51 PM ^

I'm honestly very surprised, he didn't lose his job to anyone he got replaced because he was hurt. I really thought he would come back and be the starter next year. But good luck to him I wish him all the best

Joined: 08/01/2010

MGoPoints: 481

cbs650

November 26th, 2017 at 6:03 PM ^

Yea remember the rumors of Okorn being the best QB on the roster? If McCaffery was the better QB of Peters and himself, then he plays unless the meritocracy line is total b.s. which I suspect it is in many cases.

Joined: 02/07/2011

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