Michigan offers 2012 QB

Submitted by umhero on

I realize that 2011 signing day is still several days away, but Brady Hoke took time this week to offer a QB target for 2012 so I thought we should acknowledge it.

Zeke Pike

Ht: 6-5 Wt: 225 40: 4.7

Position: QB, LB
Year: Class of 2012
High School: Dixie Heights HS
(Ft Mitchell, KY)

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  Rushing Passing
Year Att Yds Avg TD PA PC Pct Yds TD Int
2010 (Jr.) 181 1,072 5.9 17 235 136 58.0 2,218 18 -
2009 (So.) - - - - 175 100 57.0 1,634 17 5

Offers from:

Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisville, North Carolina, Oklahoma State, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas A&M, USC, West Virginia, Boston College, Cincinnati, Indiana, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Rutgers, and Wisconsin 

The son of former Georgia Tech and Buffalo Bill LB Mark Pike, Zeke will probable the number one Pro-Style QB prospect in the country.

“I got a call from the people at the U.S. Army All American Bowl Game yesterday, and I was told I was the first player selected for the 2012 game,” said Pike.

“Right now every team is fair game.  I visited a lot of schools this summer, but I am interested to see who is going to come see me.  I kind of have some favorites in my head, but I hope to have a list of 10 to 15 schools by February,” said Pike.  When asked if the in-state schools had an edge, Pike said, “I don’t favor them over anyone else.  I’m really open to go anywhere, and I really want to do my own thing.  In the end it will come down to where my heart is.”

Sources:

http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=8&c=1&nid=4533253

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Zeke-Pike-108631

http://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/2010/quarterback-zeke-pike-2012/

NRK

January 27th, 2011 at 9:39 AM ^

Good to see Michigan going after elite prospects earlier than with the previous staff. I wouldn't get your hopes up about Pike at this point though, he's considered the favorite to end up the #1 QB in the 2012 class and this will probably be a long recruiting process.

Hill.FootballR…

January 27th, 2011 at 10:18 AM ^

No its not jut you. thats the major knock against him from what Ive heard about the kid. but the good news is he has apparently worked on his footwork this year and it is improving. Plus as long as he can throw the ball that accurate it isnt too big of a deal the major concern would be it being the reason for him getting injured if he gets hit from behind or his blind side when releasing the ball. 

NRK

January 27th, 2011 at 10:34 AM ^

I'll second this. If you read interviews with him he always talks about how he is working hard at making sure his footwork is better.

 

It's not a huge deal -since in the throwing motion his weight is being transferred to his front (left) foot it shouldn't effect his throwing that much. Ideally you'd want it to toe-down drag on that back foot for ideal balance.

Michigan4Life

January 27th, 2011 at 1:46 PM ^

He loses all of the powers when he picked up his drive foot up too early thus rendering him as an all arm thrower which is not what you want as a coach.  Obviously, you want him to plant and drive as he throw the ball.

 



I also noticed that he has a tendency to hold the ball at chest level which is more suspectable to fumbles and has a tends to result in a low release alas John Navarre.  His delivery is a bit enlonged but not as exaggerated as Tim Tebow or Colin Kaepernick.  It needs to be compact and quick IMO.  He can get by in college level.  He has a 3/4 release which is fine with me as long as he get the ball out quick but it's coming out of his hands quick enough.

NYWolverine

January 27th, 2011 at 2:07 PM ^

First thing I noticed. I immediately looked at videos of the current greats (Manning, Brady, Brees) to compare throwing motion and this is what I can take from it: Pike has blue-chip arm-strength and sub-par footwork. If he had to start tomorrow, that combo infers an interception/sack prone drop-back QB at the next level.

Why interception prone: he's not generating power correctly in his hips and shoulders. Proper footwork transfers power from the back to front foot, and the hips should torque not unlike a batter hitting a fastball.  The nonthrowing arm should sweep with the elbow shooting down into the body with palm facing forward, squaring the shoulders towards the target receiver. This move, combined with a throwing motion that has the ball launched at the QB's scalp level (bicep parallel to ground, forearm perpendicular to bicep) provides three things (1) accuracy, (2) velocity and (3) best chance of not having the pass deflected at the line.

Why sack/fumble prone: he's not on his toes enough and constantly moving his feet. Here's a link to Manning drilling footwork. Compare to Pike.

Good footwork puts the QB in a defensive position to deal with (1) a pass rush, (2) max accuracy/velocity/height on throws at all times.  That right leg kick tells me he's slow with his footwork and slow through his mechanics.  He gets hit during or before a throw, the ball is probably either getting deflected or fumbled at the next level.

Michigan4Life

January 27th, 2011 at 5:02 PM ^

has picture perfect delivery.  He maximized his power and accuracy with great footwork and mechanics.  He drops back quickly so he has an extra split second to survey the field.  He keeps the ball close to head level which is what you want if you want a high release point.  Peyton doesn't load too long and his delivery is very compact and fast.

 

His plant(front) leg aren't stiff and lands softly on the ball of his foot while his drive(back) legs drives it for him.  Most of your power comes from your lower body.  If your footwork is correct, your hips should follow to create torque.  More torque you create, the more power you generate.  If you do it correctly, your arm should be along for a ride then do the last second whip to create more velocity.

 

His delivery is almost picture perfect and it is nearly upright with high release point.  Peyton is 6'6" and his release point will be about a few inches higher making it nearly impossible to bat the ball down.

 

I've heard some people criticized Peyton for having a"happy" feet but I think that it's a result of Peyton's comfort zone.  Peyton moves his feet constantly to develop rhythm and to help evade pass rushers.  I don't have a problem with it but ideally, I don't want a QB to move his feet too much because he won't set his feet properly to throw the ball.

BlockM

January 27th, 2011 at 9:40 AM ^

The real question is whether he's had bang_coeds.exe uploaded yet, a la Henne. 

Give me a robot QB any day. Does he seriously have 18 passing TDs and no ints? I don't know whether that - means 0 or unknown.

7NK7

January 27th, 2011 at 9:43 AM ^

first off i like the fact that hoke is already making plays for big time players while still finishing strong for the current year. 

secondly this kid seems like a good fit for the future of the qb position here. i like it, and i like the forward thinking byt the coaching staff

 

----as a side note or question, is anyone else not seeing how to vote up or down other comments anymore? 

BlockM

January 27th, 2011 at 9:48 AM ^

I'm sure that's part of the functionality that was yanked while the malware issues were sorted out. Per Brian, that stuff will be phased back in gradually with lots of testing so it doesn't pop up again.

Hill.FootballR…

January 27th, 2011 at 9:46 AM ^

kid sounds like a good mix between gardner and mallett.  I agree with ish it would be really nice to see us go up against all the big schools and get a huge recruit. Its something that given the time frame we werent able to see Hokes staff do this year but next year should be interesting. Im optimistic that we can bring in a top 5 class in 2012

Wolverine0056

January 27th, 2011 at 9:52 AM ^

Top 5 would be awesome, but I see top 10 being more likely. Either way, I see a big recruiting year next year for Michigan. As mentioned by TomVH on his Twitter, the Midwest is loaded with talent next year and if we can pick up guys like Wormley, RSJ, and company, we will be in good position for years to come.

Hill.FootballR…

January 27th, 2011 at 10:25 AM ^

Yes I completely agree top 10 is much more likely and probly more realistic for a first year coach but I said im going to be optimistic. From everything I have seen and heard from recruits and the experts (including Tom) I feel like we should set the bar high and aim for top 5...keeping in mind that if we sign a few less guys than the SEC teams due to scholarship restrictions and possibly technically fall out of the top 5 for points I would consider that a top 5 class. Im excited to see what happens with this kid because if we could even make his February list of schools he is definitely interested in it would keep this buzz going and would definitely help us in recruiting the above mentioned Wormely, RSJ, and then the Cass Tech company.

umjgheitma

January 27th, 2011 at 10:23 AM ^

This is a big kid with some moderate mobility, reminds me of Big Ben. The back leg lift is a little odd but that might just be how he maintains balance through his throws. Could be a mechanism his body uses to determine touch on a ball...?

Thatguy2525

January 27th, 2011 at 10:34 AM ^

If he's smart, then he will come to one of the best QB schools in the nation. Well we used to, before all this spread stuff. Plus he looks like he should wear a winged helmet too!