February 28th, 2013 at 12:21 AM ^
"Rankings don't matter." /
"Mike Hart was a three star." /
"Kevin Grady was a five star." /
You're welcome everyone.
I'll go low four, based on the gut.
February 28th, 2013 at 6:11 AM ^
I feel bad for Alabama then...a team full of Kevin Gradys...how will they ever win a game?
February 28th, 2013 at 10:59 AM ^
alabama's kevin gradys find a way to get "hurt", get a medical schollie and then get replaced.
February 28th, 2013 at 11:57 AM ^
Three stars, gentleman
February 28th, 2013 at 12:22 AM ^
It has been tossed around that he will end up toward the top of pro-style QBs. It is a down year though.
February 28th, 2013 at 4:08 AM ^
Espn put him on their "Watch List 300" just yesterday for this very reason. That means they're projecting him as a 4 star prospect.
February 28th, 2013 at 10:08 AM ^
Not really....a lot of Watch List guys end up as three-stars. In Speight's case I think that's what'll happen. On the Rivals scale I would think 5.7, which is the highest you can go as a three-star before you hit four. A good senior year could make him a 5.8. Harder to say with ESPN's because they keep shifting it.
February 28th, 2013 at 12:22 AM ^
based on film I'd say he'd be a top 20 QB in the nation (high 3 star - low 4 star types)
Though you want to trust Magnus more than me on this one
February 28th, 2013 at 1:41 AM ^
Why trust Magnus more than you? What do we actually know about what Magnus actually knows? You're both just anonymous posters on an internet message board. Magnus just happens to have a website. In reality, though, he may or may not know what he's talking about.
February 28th, 2013 at 3:07 AM ^
... Mr. Rager?
February 28th, 2013 at 5:09 AM ^
+1 to you. I had a legitimate chuckle.
February 28th, 2013 at 9:28 AM ^
That thread sure was interesting.
February 28th, 2013 at 10:08 AM ^
Without knowing who Magnus is, I think a lot of people will trust him because he has built credibility over time. We don't appreciate Magnus because he says he's a coach, we appreciate him because we've seen a lot of his predictions come true over time, and his analysis of players is well reasoned and objective.
February 28th, 2013 at 11:12 AM ^
he made that have come true? He gives a generalised eval on recruits that never really predict anything. He might say likes 1 recruit over another but he never makes any bold predicitions. And hes wrong on the talent evals every bit as much as he is right. I don't want to hate on the guy.. I value his opinions as much as I value Ace or Brians's. They are all just Michigan fans who might know a ittle more than the average fan..but they sure as hell arent pros.
You're right that I don't make a ton of predictions about who will pick what school (because it's a fool's errand, plus I don't often talk to recruits). However, what I'm assuming he's referring to is player evaluations. And while I have been wrong at times, I generally have a pretty good bead on players' strengths and weaknesses, where they're going to struggle, etc. I miss on a few guys here or there, but I like to think I hit more than I miss (Jake Ryan, Desmond Morgan, Ricardo Miller, Jerald Robinson, Jeremy Jackson). Hell, I take flak sometimes for rating Frank Clark too low, but in his commitment post, I mentioned that he gets his shoulders turned too often and doesn't always wrap up ball carriers (link); and so far he's been a solid backup, which is in line with his TTB Rating of 59 (aka Good backup or below average starter). I'm far from perfect, but there are some people in the Michigan blogosphere/recruiting analyst world who think every kid is going to make an impact or turn into a star.
February 28th, 2013 at 12:25 AM ^
His hs film doesn't look spectacular but he trains with Steve Clarkson regularly so he might shine in the summer camp circuit
February 28th, 2013 at 12:31 AM ^
What about his film did you not like?
February 28th, 2013 at 1:47 AM ^
It doesn't look like 5-star film? Arm strength issues and throwing off his back foot. I mean the kid is good and wants to get better. I'm perfectly okay with that.
February 28th, 2013 at 2:52 AM ^
I think he will end up a 4-star. You have to look at his size, accuracy, statistics vs good competition, etc. I went and watched additional film and did see some balls that were thrown off of his back foot. That shouldn't worry you because realistically it is so much easier to change then say a tebow-like release. Plus he is young and can get away with that kind of footwork in HS. Believe me, if this is a serious issue with him his QB coach and the coaches at the camps will ridicule him for it and work hard to fix it. The star system doesn't mean a whole lot yet. Trust the staff. Speight will be great
February 28th, 2013 at 10:11 AM ^
First, whether it's fair or not, I think arm strength is one of the biggest determining factor for QB star rankings. They're trying to predict potential, remember, and arm strength is probably the most difficult thing to change about a QB. You aren't going to see many weaker-armed prospects at the top, or cannon-armed kids at the bottom. Not necessarily saying Speight fits into the flimsy arm category because it's really not all that bad, but I think the rankings guys are looking into that before everything you mentioned.
Second, his competition sucks.
February 28th, 2013 at 1:30 AM ^
I coach offense and watch film daily. From what I have watched of him I think he has very solid accuracy, especially downfield. For his size he moves very well and keeps plays alive. He's always looking downfield with great poise in the pocket. He doesn't have an A+ arm but neither does Joe Montana or Tom Brady. He appears to have great work ethic and leadership from his work with a QB coach and his recruiting efforts with our beloved maize n blue. I haven't broken down his footwork yet but I do like his release and don't think it needs to be tweaked much if at all. Just based on gut and nothing more I actually think Speight may very well be every bit as good, if not better then Sugar Shane Morris. I know a lot of you probably won't appreciate that but I've always thought that a guy with Wilton's attributes gives him a better chance to succeed in our type of offense then a gunslinger like Morris. I love Shane's film but he relies way too much on his arm and at the college level that will get you in trouble real quick. While I do think Shane has the tools and the head on his shoulders to maximize his potential I have never been high on a lefty. Nothing against left handed qb's, it's just there aren't many and the success rate amongst them isn't great because it essentially flips everything within an offense. Both of our incoming QB's have what it takes. I'm beyond happy with the sudden quality of the position, especially if Devin gets a 5th year.
February 28th, 2013 at 9:33 AM ^
one of the more thoughtful ones I have read in a while. Not funny, but actually insightful.
February 28th, 2013 at 12:25 AM ^
He'll go to camps, and he'll be a Mid/High 4 Star...
Trent Dilfer would'nt express interest in seeing him in person if he already didn't think highly of him/know who he is...
However, if he's a 1,2,3,4,5, or 6 star, Michigan is still getting the same player, and our coaches think he is the best QB in the nation....
One offer and one commit....
February 28th, 2013 at 12:37 AM ^
Not sure if this has been posted before, but I saw this video of him at one of those steve clarkston camps and he looks pretty good in it.
February 28th, 2013 at 3:00 AM ^
In that short film it looks like he could follow through stronger. I love the upside this kid has. Phenomenal.
February 28th, 2013 at 8:42 AM ^
after about 3 beers, I look that good at Elbel during our tailgates! No pressure, no defense ... I don't think this film shows anything.
However ... 100% confidence in whatever Hoke saw. Kid must have potential.
Go Blue!
February 28th, 2013 at 3:49 PM ^
Nice touch and very good accuracy. Arm strength is still a question mark. But those receivers suck.
February 28th, 2013 at 12:41 AM ^
I'm pretty sure someone from one of the pay sites said he'd start there.
February 28th, 2013 at 12:58 AM ^
This was on the Scout boards. The Scout scouter (that sounds funny) for that region said he will likely start as a high three star.
February 28th, 2013 at 6:16 AM ^
The Rivals guys expect him to be a 3-star, too.
February 28th, 2013 at 12:48 AM ^
I trust the coaches know what they're doing in offering Speight. It was just curiosity to see what others thought about his potential ranking. Based on his video, his accuracy is top notch and he puts the ball in good spots for his receivers.
February 28th, 2013 at 12:50 AM ^
Disregard
February 28th, 2013 at 1:01 AM ^
I hope a lot because that means he's good and I can like him.
February 28th, 2013 at 1:22 AM ^
All I saw in that video was the deep ball. I know things have been said about his arm strength but how's his accuracy on other throws? Can he hit a 15 yard comeback?
If he can show he can make other throws I think he'll definitely be a four star before it's all said and done.
February 28th, 2013 at 2:55 AM ^
There were a couple throws on film where he threw a 12-15 yard out from the opposite hash and delivered it with good velocity and perfect accuracy. His height should help with the shorter routes, especially across the middle. I also say higher level four star that clearly has great upside. I want to see him throw a post vs cover two and hit him in that small window.
February 28th, 2013 at 2:12 AM ^
Espn seems really high on him. One of the head ranking fellas was comparing him to hackenburg. That's really good company to be compared too.
February 28th, 2013 at 9:16 AM ^
Now that I think of it, they have very similar throwing motions without super strong arms
February 28th, 2013 at 2:58 AM ^
I suck at math. Hold off on deleting this post while I write down this website.
February 28th, 2013 at 9:00 AM ^
Seriously though, I think he is a guy who can turn into a pretty darn good QB given time to develop - and the UM QB situation will allow him just that...Redshirt a year, backup Morris for a while, then all systems GO!
February 28th, 2013 at 9:01 AM ^
I want everyone to know that I do not personally know Magnus. However, I do know something about recruiting and college football. I trust his opinions to be valid and accurate to the extent one's opinion this topic can be and he is not bias in his evaluations. Recruiting is marathon, not a sprint. Moreover, 18 year old kids change their opinion on a near daily basis. The bottom line is one needs to understand that this process is fluid and kids will change their position on a dime.
February 28th, 2013 at 9:19 AM ^
That scout rating made me laugh. Have we ever had a 1 star? I guess he's rated that due to them not knowing enough about him or something.
February 28th, 2013 at 9:31 AM ^
...on the degree to which he spends time at Rivals, Scout or ESPN affiliated camps.
February 28th, 2013 at 9:43 AM ^
That he wasn't planning on camping anywhere .. Which will hurt him in rankings via the sites, but who cares. The coaching staff knows what they are looking for and the dud a thorough evaluation before offering him, which makes him a solid recruit
February 28th, 2013 at 9:47 AM ^
He hasn't shut the door on all camps, but he doesn't want to do every single camp that pops up. People have speculated that he doesn't want to wear himself out and then have a subpar senior season like Shane Morris did.
February 28th, 2013 at 11:36 AM ^
Shane was crazy busy last year and perhaps doing everything did hurt his ranking and wore him down. However, given that he was evaluated and coached at these camps there's a good chance he will probably end up being a better QB in the long run.
February 28th, 2013 at 12:03 PM ^
I think we can assume Shane did not necessarily "Wear himself out" in camps. I also wore myself out in college with mono, and I did not get it at a football camp (although I may have caught it after a football game, but who knows).
February 28th, 2013 at 9:45 AM ^
He is playing in the Under Armour All American game. Good for him if he decides not to camp. Shows that he is extremely happy with his decision to attend Michigan, and he has nothing to prove to anyone else.
February 28th, 2013 at 11:34 AM ^
He's on the ESPN 150 Watch List, invited to the UA game. Michigan (Heck?) liked him a lot when they saw him throw and that also says a lot.
If he has a good year and a good camp or two, he could shoot up the boards and be as highly rated or higher than Shane. If he gets injured, he could drop.
Look at his film. He's accurate and shows good touch. What could hold him back in the rankings is arm strength and the slight hitch in his throw. But, these last two factors are less important than accuracy/touch.
Legit 4* and will be a top 12 rated pro-style QB in his class.
He's been a fantastic recruiter so far for team 135 and you can't put a star rating on that.
February 28th, 2013 at 2:47 PM ^
He's not camp crazy or 7-on-7 warrior or elite HS league, so low 4 star largely driven by UM endorsement.
More important for his credibility with other recruits than anything else.