Devin goes off at Elite 11

Submitted by backusduo on

To say it is love fest would be to minimize what Devin Gardner has done this week at the Elite 11.  He went in against 11 (that's right it is called the Elite 11, but hosts 12 QB's, but who are we to talk) of the best young signal callers in the country, and when he was done Rivals declared him the best pound for pound QB. 

Strewn by the wayside was a "son of
Montana,"  and two other Michigan recruits.  First, Michigan State commit Joe Boisture, who finishing dead last in the rankings, and though they had to remain positive to explain why he was even invited, had potential and development needs mentioned way too much in his daily write-ups.  The Second is Robert Bolden who also had a great camp and at the end of one day was ranked 1A and 1B with Devin.


It appears that all these camps that Devin has been visiting have made an impact and so while he started the week with words like "potential" and "dual-threat QB" he ended the week with quotes like, "We could be looking at a future first-round draft pick in five years" and "the ability to take over a college game by himself using his arm and his legs."  Speed and athleticism were still mentioned, but also pro-body, strong arm, laser-like percision, and good touch.

Awards he picked up at the camp show that he is not only fast, "Best Feet," but also a student "Best in Classroom."  I am just really impressed on how Devin is growing into an unbelievable QB and believe that he is finally going to get the mention he deserves in the top 100, as a great QB that can also run, and not just a dual-threat.  Sit behind Tate for a year and then I think we are going to have one heck of a QB competition in 2011.  Greatness is coming for
Michigan, it just might be one QB away.

 

PS. He finally committed to Michigan in my NCAA 10 over Ohio State, so I’ll be able to give you a preview of his performances on the field shortly.  If he’s good in NCAA 10 he must be good in real life.?!

Comments

backusduo

July 24th, 2009 at 11:56 AM ^

I think it is just a vote by Camp Counselors for Camp MVP. Here is the list of winners for all the categories. Notice Nick Montana scored in 3 categories, but when it came to overall skill Rivals ranked him 11 out of 12. Jake Heaps was rated the MVP and 2 out of 12 by Rivals just ahead of Bolden due to his consistency and ability to plug in play as soon as he goes to college (similar to our Forcier). He is best off the shelf, but that doesn't mean biggest upside.

Award Winners - as selected by the camp counselors
MVP- Jake Heaps
Best Feet- Devin Gardner
Best Upside- Tyler Bray
Leadership- Jake Heaps, Nick Montana
Football IQ- Jake Heaps
Best in Classroom- Devin Gardner
Best Arm- Robert Bolden
Most Accurate throughout entire camp- Chandler Whitmer
Best in any system- Nick Montana
Quickest Release- Robert Bolden
Most Improved- Nick Montana
Most likely to win National Championship- Jesse Scroggins

Elno Lewis

July 24th, 2009 at 10:27 AM ^

And I am slurping it up as fast as i can.

This kind of stuff is always great to hear, even if it is just flufftastic (and I am not saying it is). Buying sunglasses now. The future is bright.

No picnic is complete without your potato salad.

Go Blue!

backusduo

July 24th, 2009 at 11:25 AM ^

In Dynasty mode it gives you the option during the preseason when you click on the recruiting link to create any player for recruiting that you want for that season. It will give you that option every year, and you can do more then one. Beware though, I almost lost Devin, and had to make a last minute push to get him on my team because Ohio State came strong. ;)

nightavenger

July 24th, 2009 at 10:58 AM ^

behind the paywall? If so, thank you for divulging its contents. If rivals is declaring DG the top qb at the elite 11, and the elite 11 is the top camp for qb's, why is Gardner ranked behind 9 qb's on the new rankings? Yes, I realize that the e11 camp was not done at the the time of the re renk, but I would hope that rivals would account for this and just give him his due.

MechEng97

July 25th, 2009 at 10:35 AM ^

I was wondering the same thing - why he is behind so many QBs with all these positive comments...but any of these QBs should have some skills to warrant the pub. Not that it matters, but it would be good to see some of our recruits break into the top 100.

teldar

July 27th, 2009 at 6:27 PM ^

I think a large part of it is because he's listed as a 'Dual Threat' QB. This is an automatic knock against him in Rivals' "prostyle players only, please" ranking system. If you're not drop-back, you're automatically second class, almost regardless of skill.

That's what makes it somewhat surprising that Pryor was ranked as high. However, everyone said he could throw the ball 70 yards from his knees.

IBleedMaizeNBlue

July 24th, 2009 at 11:01 AM ^

Sam Webb was very enthusiastic about Devin Gardner's Elite 11 performance on the recruiting roundup the other day (July 23), especially since Gardner impressed a non-regional Scout analyst. Apparently there was effusive praise (plus you can sneak behind the Scout paywall thanks to Webb). Check it out: http://wtka.com/index.php?fuseaction=home.podcasts_sel&id=1849

Given that Gardner is a dual-threat QB at a pure passer camp, he surprised some people. However, he may not have done AS well as Webb and Scott Kennedy (Scout.com analyst) may have claimed: http://michigan.scout.com/a.z?s=162&p=2&c=881354

Of the 11 QB's there, Gardner did not merit a ranking in the top half at least according to Chase Daniel and some Colorado QB.

However, a few things to keep in mind. As I've already mentioned, this is a PASSING camp, which is a facet of the game that Gardner has repeatedly notably been "raw" in. The fact that he's there working on his passing skills is a testament to his determination. Not only that, but he showed enough improvement and flashes of talent to impress a non-regional analyst, which bodes quite well for his future as a Wolverine. As Pat White demonstrated, you don't need to be able to pass well to be successful in this offense. You need leadership, athleticism and toughness. If Devin Gardner can continue this upward trend as a passer, watch out.

4godkingandwol…

July 24th, 2009 at 1:05 PM ^

... I'd put much more faith in the recruiting guys take than a couple young quarterbacks, no matter how good they are. Young kids tend to think more highly of the people that are similar to them. Don't know if that is the case, but I believe the scouts/analysts are better evaluators than qbs... it's their job.

dundee

July 24th, 2009 at 3:05 PM ^

i'd give you more but not really sure how the system works. thanks for putting in words(passing camp) what's been on the tip of my brain as to why DG hasn't dominated or been in the top 5 for MVP honors according to ESPN. i'm extremly excited about a kid who has the "best feet" and best "in classroom" for or option offense system. plus the fact that he's going and been invited to these camps says a lot about DG character and talent.

Durham Blue

July 24th, 2009 at 11:25 AM ^

how could DG be the best QB "pound for pound" of the nation's elite 11 and NOT be the highest rated QB per Rivals? If he is not then Rivals is severely flawed.

Bringitback2a2

July 24th, 2009 at 11:15 AM ^

For anyone who wants to see Devin play in person.... He is plaing Ann Arbor Pioneer @ EMU Rynearson stadium on Saturday August 29th at 8 pm.... FWIW Ricardo Miller is going to be playing for Pioneer. Should be a big time matchup and I'm excited about it. Kid is the truth

Bringitback2a2

July 24th, 2009 at 11:19 AM ^

Sorry for the double post... but If you make a recruit in 2010 and make his home town where your school is located, you will land him 99% of the time. If he isn't from your town than you have to battle more schools and its more of a 50/50 type deal

msoccer10

July 24th, 2009 at 12:58 PM ^

is just one person's (Barry Every) opinion but it is very exciting. I think the thing Gardner gets criticized for the most is the way his delivery looks. But he is very accurate and has a really strong arm, so I think people who get overly concerned with that are missing the boat. Vince Young had a weird looking delivery too, but we all know how that worked out.

backusduo

July 25th, 2009 at 10:10 AM ^

That should be it. He has attended a few earlier this year to get the coaching and build the notoriety needed to be invited to the Elite 11 Main Event, but practices should be starting shortly for High Schools and the camp season is about over.

Tater

July 24th, 2009 at 7:14 PM ^

Why does the Rivals article call it "Detroit Inkster?"

I have been away for eleven years, but I'm pretty sure I would have heard something about it if Detroit had annexed Inkster.

Franz Schubert

July 25th, 2009 at 12:48 PM ^

I am pleasantly surprised by the growth DG has obviously made in the last year, this probably speaks to the heart and work ethic he has. Cant wait to see him in the Maize and Blue!
Secondly, it souds like Bolden is better than I realized. My opinion was based on the one OLSM game I attended, it was against Davison, and I thought he looked very ordinary?