Hello: Wilton Speight (2014 QB)
We have our (only?) 2014 QB, first reported by TomVH ($).
Michigan Football class of 2018
— Wilton Speight (@WiltonSpeight) February 6, 2013
We won't have to wait long to see the coaches' plan for QB recruiting: Michael O'Connor and David Cornwell are supposedly getting phone calls from the coaches this afternoon.
February 6th, 2013 at 8:15 AM ^
6'6" 217
That's just awesome.
February 6th, 2013 at 8:19 AM ^
February 6th, 2013 at 8:22 AM ^
In Borges we trust?
February 6th, 2013 at 8:43 AM ^
February 6th, 2013 at 9:09 AM ^
Denard regressed as a passer? Denard was never a great passer. RR did a better job of getting guys laughably wide open. That was the biggest difference. Bellomy was a late offer in a partial class that you're throwing under the bus after one bad (admittedly very bad) outing. I don't think there's reason not to trust the coaches.
February 6th, 2013 at 9:49 AM ^
I don't think there's reason not to trust the coaches
There sure as Hell is. They haven't proven anything with the QB position. I guess you can blindly trust them but that seems doltish.
February 6th, 2013 at 10:35 AM ^
Yeah, Devin Gardner was awful. And Borges has never developed good QBs in the past.
February 6th, 2013 at 11:24 AM ^
So, are you saying that anyone who disagrees with you is a dolt? Or just that any position that disagrees with yours is "doltish?" Or that trust in someone hired to do the job is "blind?"
I am going to trust that the coaches know what they're looking for. Would I rather have dual-threat QB's and a spread option? Of course. But that's not how it's going to be under the MANBALL mandate handed down by DB.
Part of me thinks Michigan will regress to their 21st century mean of 4.1, their median of 4 losses per year during the same time, or what I feel is a more reasonable 3.5, which I got by taking their historic 9-3 ratio and adding a projected .500 record in future bowls, for a rough13-game estimate.
Nonetheless, I want to see how well this staff makes their offense work with their own fifth-year seniors before I stop trusting them.
February 6th, 2013 at 11:26 AM ^
It isn't "blindly trusting them". It is simply a matter of a lay fan showing deference to experts that have been evaluating talent for a very long time at an elite level and who get paid really good money to do this, and have had much closer access to these kids than you (or the recruiting sites for that matter at this state in the evaluation process).
February 6th, 2013 at 9:16 AM ^
The possibility exists that Denard never was and never would be a good passer. The possibility also exists that Bellomy was brought in as a late addition to a class they had about a month to cobble together. Furthermore, the backup QB debacle was precipitated by a certain receiver who left the team hanging out to dry due to his poor decision making. There weren't really a lot of good options, and I'm sure the decisions were not made solely by Al.
I'm not on the Borges bandwagon by any stretch of the imagination. The playcalling was unimaginative, and whatever happened in Columbus was nearly deriliction of duty.
But to try and heap the QB problems all on him is not at all accurate, imho. If Devin comes out this year and struggles, then we can talk,
February 6th, 2013 at 10:26 AM ^
So Gardner was a better passer under Rodriguez?
February 6th, 2013 at 12:02 PM ^
This isn't a knock on our receivers at all, but our best receiver is like 5'8. I don't think anyone will disagree when I say we clearly don't have the best receiving group out there. It's not easy to develop a quarterback that is throwing to small receivers.
February 6th, 2013 at 8:47 AM ^
He doesn't seem to have a ton of zip on the ball, but he's got top-notch accuracy and vision from what I saw in his video. We can definitely with with him.
February 6th, 2013 at 9:07 AM ^
I love withing with people
February 6th, 2013 at 11:42 AM ^
He meant to say: "We can definitely withe with him."
Which makes sense if he has a lot of accuracy but not a lot of zip. You really don't need much zip with a withe.
I still don't know why you would enjoy withing with people...
February 6th, 2013 at 1:24 PM ^
Actually, he meant to say "We can definitely writhe with him". Personally, I'd rather not, but I guess the decision to writhe or not to writhe is best left to individuals.
February 6th, 2013 at 9:23 AM ^
I thought the same thing. Nothing like Shane's velocity. But he sure is hitting receivers in stride and dropping the ball right into their hands. And it's not like he was throwing ducks -- they just didn't have that great velocity. You have to think, as well, that the coaches are valuing intangibles. This is a pretty exciting pick-up. It should help with the vitally important receiver recruiting.
February 6th, 2013 at 10:04 AM ^
February 6th, 2013 at 1:13 PM ^
I was impressed with a couple of his passes while rolling out. He put a little zip on them while his feet were still moving. That's not easy. Overall though, I agree that he looks like a touch passer based on what I saw of the video.
February 6th, 2013 at 9:25 AM ^
Actually, the criticisms I have found is that he has a big arm but needs footwork.
February 6th, 2013 at 10:14 AM ^
6'6" means nothing if you suffer from John Navarre Syndrome.
February 6th, 2013 at 10:19 AM ^
Yeah, it's going to suck if Speight only throws for 9000 yards in his career.
February 6th, 2013 at 10:33 AM ^
the same John Navarre that won a BIG championship and went to the Rose Bowl? who wants that?
February 6th, 2013 at 3:08 PM ^
in fairness UM struggled as navarre had two mediocre seasons. but to his credit he kept his head up, worked hard and had a great senior season. it wasn't his fault henson left a year early. i have nothing but respect for navarre, though i would have liked to see other guys get some reps while he struggled early on.
February 6th, 2013 at 5:11 PM ^
February 6th, 2013 at 10:53 AM ^
What a fucking idiot.
February 6th, 2013 at 11:53 AM ^
Referring to Navarre's propensity to get passes batted down. But you have a nice day too.
February 6th, 2013 at 12:07 PM ^
And it was stupid.
Height effects more than release point.
February 6th, 2013 at 12:11 PM ^
yes, but can he rap?
February 6th, 2013 at 8:16 AM ^
February 6th, 2013 at 8:26 AM ^
February 6th, 2013 at 10:25 AM ^
Gardner could also not get his medical redshirt.
Also, I seem to remember the coaches mentioning at some point that they'd like to take a mobile quarterback every couple years as a project to see what they can get. I like that idea and hope they take one next year.
February 6th, 2013 at 8:16 AM ^
February 6th, 2013 at 8:17 AM ^
Interensting, don't think we've ever gotten a 2014 commit on signing day. Was he trying to slip under the radar?
February 6th, 2013 at 8:21 AM ^
You're correct, this is the first time we've ever gotten a 2014 commit on signing day. We only have two 2014 commits though and Ferns was already committed.
February 6th, 2013 at 8:23 AM ^
I'm positive it's the first time a 2014 kid has committed on signing day. It's never happened in the history of the program.
But seriously, the timing is interesting. Perhaps the coaches were waiting to see what else developed before today with the 2013 scholarships before deciding who and how many 2014 QBs to offer?
February 6th, 2013 at 8:19 AM ^
were his only offer. Ive heard his arm isn't the strongest but everything else is really good, so lets hope he strengthens the arm.
February 6th, 2013 at 8:25 AM ^
Just trust the staff, they've earned it.
February 6th, 2013 at 8:35 AM ^
February 6th, 2013 at 8:57 AM ^
If they've offered him this early, I have to assume the staff really wants him. This isn't a 2013 signing day flyer, this a whole year before signing day. Have to assume the staff is happy to have him if they accepted his commitment this early
February 6th, 2013 at 1:28 PM ^
The other thing is that he reclassed after he got hurt his first junior year (he played every game this year without injury) He also was on varsity his freshman year and started his sophmore year. So he's been starting for three years and he gets one more. Geuss who gets to protect his blind side this year.
February 6th, 2013 at 9:11 AM ^
I believe he had 24 touchdowns and 17 interceptions this past season, so I wouldn't say everything else is good... That's a lot of picks.
EDIT: By comparison, Cornwell completed 57% of his passes for 27 touchdowns and 8 interceptions.
February 6th, 2013 at 10:20 AM ^
I don't know anything about Speight's level of competition but Cornwell played against some pretty weak teams. He'll be tested this year with the move to Norman North (Oklahoma 6A).
February 6th, 2013 at 10:22 AM ^
Speight's level of competition is as weak or weaker.
FYI: His high school has 498 students, according to Wikipedia.
February 6th, 2013 at 11:39 AM ^
Will never be confused with an elite district in Texas, but it does include FUMA's high school team (not to be confused with their post-grads, but very strong) and Woodberry Forest (Doug Randolph, CJ Prosise, Ed Reynolds, Aramde Olaniyan).
February 6th, 2013 at 8:42 AM ^
Heard from who? Just where in the video highlights do you see any evidence whatsoever that he's got problems in arm strength?
February 6th, 2013 at 8:51 AM ^
Wilton Speight - QB - Richmond (VA) Collegiate: The 6'6", 217-pounder has no offers at this time. Speight might be the sleeper of the group. I like the way he throws the ball under pressure. Sometimes it's unbelievable how accurate he is with guys in his face, but to be honest, it seems like he's in a habit of throwing off his back foot because of a porous offensive line. He barely has a chance to breathe before two or three defenders are in his face. He's a little too stiff in the pocket for my liking and will struggle to avoid college rushers; he lacks great arm strength and has a little bit of a hitch in his delivery. He just looks very unpolished. I could see him going somewhere like Texas Tech or Washington State and lighting it up a few years down the road, but I don't think he's a good fit for Michigan.
http://touchthebanner.blogspot.com/2013/02/scouting-report-2014-quarter…
EDIT: not trying to call out TTB or Magnus, just saying that's where I'd seen a similar player evaluation. additionally, Magnus does offer some explanation as to why his tosses might be off the mark, or not as impressive (the poor O-Line.)
February 6th, 2013 at 9:10 AM ^
Lofton18, I owe you an apology for questioning your comment, as per WillyWill's info.
February 6th, 2013 at 9:22 AM ^
that he can handle pressure and throw accurately with people in his face (and at his feet, ostensibly). Anyone can sit there with a clean pocket and look good, like its a 7 on 7 drill. Unfortunately, opposing teams have plans of their own and they involve rushing, hitting and otherwaise maiming opposing QB's (especially the upper echelon teams. The ones we REALLY want to beat). As a result, I'd rather have the guy who can handle the rush who may not have all of the measurables over the guy with a million dollar arm and a ten cent head.
February 6th, 2013 at 9:58 AM ^
Eh. I take most of those evals with a grain of salt. At least with the other services we can look into the evaluators past and figure out if they have a leg to stand on. Not so much with TTB.