Has Michigan ever had a quarterback like Denard Robinson?

Michigan has never had someone so electric under center.  Denard Robinson is a once and a lifetime athlete that doesn't come around very often.  He is such a hard working, humble young man with a very bright future ahead of him.

The most dominating speed and quickness I have ever seen in a Michigan uniform belonged to Ricky Green, but he played basketball, though he did lead Michigan to a Final Four championship loss to undefeated Indiana.

For many reasons.

First, was the national sensation over a Michigan coach (in 1947 it was Fritz Crisler and the Mad Magicians; in 2010 it is Rich Rodriguez and the Spread Offense) putting in a new offense that had defenses frustrated and grabbing air, while Michigan grabbed headlines.

Then, the comparison of two tremendously attractive, genuinely good-natured guys who were beloved by everybody on campus.  Bob Chappuis in 1947, and Denard in 2010.

Chappuis essentially ran Crisler's dazzling offense.  He was labeled a Halfback; but he was about as much of a quarterback as Denard is now.

If you don't think Bob Chappuis and the Mad Magicians of '47 were a big deal, they put Chappuis on the cover of TIME magazine:

Indeed, when you look at how Chappuis' Wikipedia page sums up his credentials (a Big Ten total offense leader, 2nd in the Heisman voting in '47, after leading Michigan to an undefeated season and a 49-0 win over USC in the Jan.1, 1948 Rose Bowl), it is a 60-year old blueprint of a Denard Robinson in the 21st Century.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Chappuis

Steve Smith (QB from 1981-1983) was probably the closest.  He was mobile, ran the option and had a decent arm.  But he was probably our least popular QB of the 80's. 

In this clip from the 1983 Minnesota game, Smith ran 75 yards for a TD.  This was the longest TD run by a Michigan QB in school history until Denard came to town.

37 seconds in...

Obviously.

Chris Zurbrugg had mad skills.  Don't forget it.