John O'Korn is Returning for the 2017 Season
According to Maize n Brew (but really according to a source that will go unnamed but sorta rhymes with Fart Biter) O'Korn is coming back to compete for the starting spot under center. For obvious reasons, most pundits are projecting Speight to lead the team again in 2017 but I'm really hoping the open QB competiton is just that and will sort itself out.
January 2nd, 2017 at 10:57 AM ^
January 2nd, 2017 at 1:14 PM ^
I dunno, I kind of think one of the main competitors PETERS out by Fall Camp.
January 2nd, 2017 at 10:58 AM ^
January 2nd, 2017 at 2:17 PM ^
January 2nd, 2017 at 3:48 PM ^
January 3rd, 2017 at 2:40 AM ^
Your point is valid, but I think there's still room for competition. Yes, if it's a case where one guy hits "a few more throws in practice", then stick with the proven quantity. But sometimes you get a guy who rests on his laurels, doesn't put in the work in the off-season, slides back, and gets passed. When that happens, you go with the up-and-coming go-getter.
Basically, it's not that past performance is *irrelevant*, it's just that it isn't an *absolute* guide. Plus, having the "open competition" mentality is often good for helping the returning starter keep the pedal to the metal in terms of his preparation. Yeah, there is (and should be) a bias in favor of a returning star, but no one's position is guaranteed.
January 2nd, 2017 at 10:59 AM ^
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January 2nd, 2017 at 11:13 AM ^
I'll be shocked if he wins. I think is going to be Peters.
January 2nd, 2017 at 11:16 AM ^
I hope you are wearing "shock appropriate" clothes come this august, because the odds of a redshirt freshman beating out a junior who has started and won 10 games on some of the biggest stages in the sport seems incredibly unlikely to me...
January 2nd, 2017 at 11:24 AM ^
January 2nd, 2017 at 1:30 PM ^
January 2nd, 2017 at 3:41 PM ^
It was 9 games, Speight didn't play against Indiana. He was also 0-3 in his final 3 games and played poorly in each of those games. He was 9-3 overall and if he had played well in any of the losses we would have won. Overall Speight had 2-3 really good games against really bad competition, but most of the year he was on par with MSU's Oconner. The only reason I will give him a pass is because it was his first year as a starter but I don't know how much experience will help accuracy issues.
January 2nd, 2017 at 11:31 AM ^
January 2nd, 2017 at 11:48 AM ^
January 3rd, 2017 at 7:13 AM ^
Every position is a meritocracy. Speight won't necessarily be starting at ground zero in the QB competition, but if another player, such as Peters is outperforming Speight, he will earn it. JH also shows he is willing to stick with a leader through some struggles. The best part is that no matter who wins the job, it will be the best performer as adjudicated by JH. If we trust coach, we don't ever have to beg to see the backup.
January 2nd, 2017 at 11:35 AM ^
January 2nd, 2017 at 11:56 AM ^
Winning in East Lansing isn't something to sneeze at, no matter how bad MSU is. We hadn't won there in nearly a decade.
January 2nd, 2017 at 1:17 PM ^
Being one of 9 teams to beat State this year isn't "One of the biggest stages." it's good, but it is nothing to revel at.
Speight's best win was Wisconsin, in which he made 1 great pass and leaned on the defense to hold Wisconsin to a single 40 yard TD drive.
January 2nd, 2017 at 1:31 PM ^
January 2nd, 2017 at 11:51 AM ^
The gig. But saying he won some "on the biggest stages" is just completely inaccurate.
Other than Wisconsin at home, he lost in the three biggest spots he had when the team needed him most.
January 2nd, 2017 at 12:18 PM ^
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January 2nd, 2017 at 12:24 PM ^
glad he's coming back, hope he has a tremendous couple of camps and absolutely kills it. may the best QB win.
January 2nd, 2017 at 5:24 PM ^
January 2nd, 2017 at 7:13 PM ^
comes to mind. others with better roster knowledge would be able to speak to other starting QB combos that might have collided, particularly in the '90's. steve smith was our starter when i was graduating and i thought he was not the best choice - very good runner, not so much passing ability.
January 2nd, 2017 at 12:22 PM ^
January 2nd, 2017 at 9:32 PM ^
January 2nd, 2017 at 1:27 PM ^
That's true, and inarguable. But it hardly settles the debate. It’s like me writing, “a top QB recruit vs. a mid tiered QB who lost his last 3 starts.”
I can see the merits for predicting that Speight returns as the starting QB next season. When given time in the pocket to throw, he's a future NFL QB. IMO, he's shown he can make EVERY. SINGLE. THROW. a QB could be asked to make. If he improves even just slightly in some areas, he’s a sure NFL draft pick as a lot are intrigued by his size and arm strength.
Speight’s biggest shortcoming so far has been his accuracy under pressure when his footwork suffers. Some guys (Brady, Rogers, Roethlisberger, etc.) are able to excel even under pressure, and with UM’s OL issues, this is a skill a QB is going to need to have, whether it be Peters who has this ability already or Speight who hopefully develops it in the coming months.
I think we all just want the player who gives UM the best chance to win to play. Plain and simple. We’re always going to be intrigued by the unknown, hence the love affair with backup QBs, especially highly touted kids coming out of high school.
January 2nd, 2017 at 12:01 PM ^
Peters is the guy
January 2nd, 2017 at 12:25 PM ^
You would be shocked that a returning starter in his first year starting, with the same coaches, would be the starter next year?
I think you're using shocked wrong.
...you can think it'll be Peters, you can hope it'll be Peters...but why in the world would you be shocked? No. You'd be shocked if WolverineDevotee was the starting QB next year...or would you? #Mysteries
January 2nd, 2017 at 12:35 PM ^
January 2nd, 2017 at 12:39 PM ^
If anyone could find a way...it's our boy WD.
Although I'd be sad because he would no longer be posting - he'd be too obsessed with all of the new gear. Taking selfies with his new socks and thigh pads.
January 2nd, 2017 at 1:04 PM ^
January 2nd, 2017 at 1:06 PM ^
God I hope you don't mean, "taking selfies while wearing JUST his thigh pads." EWWWWW...
January 2nd, 2017 at 1:33 PM ^
that would lead the team to the National Championship, WD is as likely as anyone to own it.
January 2nd, 2017 at 1:11 PM ^
January 2nd, 2017 at 1:26 PM ^
January 2nd, 2017 at 1:52 PM ^
January 2nd, 2017 at 2:40 PM ^
January 2nd, 2017 at 1:40 PM ^
He wasn't exactly a physical specimen. But he had brains and superb decision-making. Those are Wilton's assets, not to the same degree, but they are there.
Maybe Peters shows himself to be a throw god in the Spring and in the Fall and beats out Wilton. It's possible. But I think that would happen because Peters is that good, not because Wilton is considered bad.
Remember, the #1 sack-leading FSU defensive line absolutely crushed our offensive line, forcing Wilton to throw before the designed timings.
January 2nd, 2017 at 3:21 PM ^
January 2nd, 2017 at 5:26 PM ^
January 2nd, 2017 at 6:43 PM ^
heals
January 2nd, 2017 at 11:01 AM ^
January 2nd, 2017 at 11:01 AM ^
January 2nd, 2017 at 11:07 AM ^
Anyone know if he's graduating in three years as has been mentioned before? He'd be able to transfer without sitting out a year (I believe) if so.
January 2nd, 2017 at 1:51 PM ^
That is the rule on transferring. For example, the center from Texas, Raulerson, transferred after graduating in 3 years and had 2 years of eligibility left. http://hookemheadlines.com/2015/12/10/texas-football-raulerson-moving-o…
A smart player can learn a lot from Harbaugh even if he doesn't get many snaps. (IIRC, he ran one series at the end of the Hawaii game). If he has his eyes on the NFL he can get game experience at another school without sitting out.
January 2nd, 2017 at 11:06 AM ^
January 2nd, 2017 at 11:08 AM ^
Excited to see how Peters looks in the Spring Game. I think Speight will be the QB1 but agreed, it'd be nice to see Peters as the go-to backup instead of J.O.K.
January 2nd, 2017 at 11:09 AM ^
If Speight goes down for the year, then I want Peters.
January 2nd, 2017 at 12:31 PM ^
I believe McCaffrey will redshirt. Peters and O'Korn will battle for the #2 spot but in my heart I really want someone to step up big in camp and beat out Speight for the starting job.