Possible Michigan Target? Mississippi State QB Will Rogers to enter Portal
Per 247 sports, Will Rogers is expected to enter the portal at the conclusion of the 2023 season.
It is no surprise Michigan May target a QB to serve as a 2024 bridge to Jadyn Davis. For folks who have seen Rogers play, how do feel about Rogers as a Michigan target for the 2024 season, assuming that JJ declares?
November 24th, 2023 at 9:23 AM ^
Denegal is the bridge. Embrace it. He's good.
November 24th, 2023 at 9:35 AM ^
I hope you're right, but I'm not sure we have enough information to make either claim.
November 24th, 2023 at 9:49 AM ^
Too soon 1: win The Game.
Too soon 2: why assume that JJ declares?
November 24th, 2023 at 4:25 PM ^
Tuttle would be the bridge, Denegal isn't even the #3 this year if Warren was healthy.
He's got a slow release, but I have hope he'll continue to improve!
November 24th, 2023 at 6:50 PM ^
There seems to be some uncertainty regarding Tuttle’s eligibility moving forward.
He enrolled at Utah in the class of 2018. DNP, redshirt (1)
transferred to Indiana prior to spring ball in 2019, played in 5 games (2)
Played 2020 at Indiana, Covid year doesn’t count (3)
Played in 6 games with Indiana in 2021 (4)
Season ending injury 1 game into 2022 season (5)
Transferred to Michigan and is QB2 (6)
So he’s been in college 6 years now, Covid doesn’t count so he’s technically a 5th year senior. Eligibility moving forward would rely on being granted a medical hardship waiver for that 2022 injury.
Regardless, I would be massively disappointed if we just moved ahead with Tuttle as the assumed starter. There are upgrades available in the portal, it’s coaching malpractice to simply not pursue and upgrade the QB room.
November 24th, 2023 at 8:02 PM ^
Nah, this might be the guy. I believe Michigan was hard after this kid out of high school.
November 24th, 2023 at 8:14 PM ^
My concern with Nate Johnson would be that he’s most effective as a true dual-threat, and I have my doubts Harbaugh would utilize that aspect of his game to its fullest extent.
We’ve already seen him handcuff Shea and JJ as runners at times (how often have we questioned whether reads are live or not?). I don’t think Johnson is good enough as a pure passer to be a good fit if we’re going to continue limiting QB runs outside of big games. Michigan is also looking at more of a bridge QB to get to Jadyn Davis, while Johnson would be coming in with three years of eligibility remaining.
Rogers concerns me because he’s been an air raid QB. Big yardage and TD stats, but low YPA. Indicating a lottttt of short stuff that doesn’t necessarily translate well to an offense like Michigan runs.
My #1 choice was Cam Rising. He’s basically a JJ clone but it looks like he’s content going back to Utah.
November 24th, 2023 at 8:37 PM ^
I don't disagree. However, I also don't think there will be any marquee quarterbacks in the portal this year, and Michigan already has a relationship with Johnson and fits a the profile of a quarterback Harbaugh has shown a liking to (athletic, hard worker, reputation as a good teammate. Even if raw (see: Milton, Joe), Harbaugh loves those guys.
Likewise, Shea wasn't as much of an athlete as JJ or Johnson, plus he never really showed the capability to consistently make the right read. JJ also has other traits that supersede his athleticism -- his intelligence and passing skills are his prevailing strengths, and adding his legs is nice as a complement instead of being the feature.
November 24th, 2023 at 9:23 PM ^
he never really showed the capability to consistently make the right read.
But again, that’s why we’ve been questioning if reads are live for years now. Michigan designed an offense built around the QB making that read in the run game, and we’ve routinely seen the QB make the wrong read to the point where it’s an open question whether they’re allowed to keep the ball most of the time. I really question whether Harbaugh would be willing to let his starting QB go out there and run the ball 8-12 times per game, which is really the only way Johnson would be truly effective in my opinion.
It’s also far too early to be making assumptions on who is going to be in the portal. The coaching carousel is just heating up, that’s going to cause some movement. Draft decisions will be made, leading to portal movement (Quinn Ewers at UT returning could lead to both Manning and Murphy in the portal for example).
November 25th, 2023 at 11:13 AM ^
Has Michigan ever taken in a transfer committal from a kid that was offered by M but signed elsewhere out of high school?
November 24th, 2023 at 9:27 AM ^
You know horses are smarter than people. You never heard of a horse going broke betting on people.
NTWR.
November 24th, 2023 at 9:36 AM ^
^^Perhaps the best gif ever
November 24th, 2023 at 9:43 AM ^
looks like she and her buddy are just getting home from a crazy night on the town.
November 24th, 2023 at 9:30 AM ^
He never met a team he didn't like.
November 24th, 2023 at 9:31 AM ^
👆This will be under appreciated.
November 24th, 2023 at 9:30 AM ^
I wouldn’t assume anything - it’s a better life strategy in general.
November 24th, 2023 at 9:35 AM ^
Do it just for the quotes alone.
November 24th, 2023 at 9:37 AM ^
had some good throws last night in the egg bowl. he definitely is JJ like. I like the name and the whole horse guy motif.
i like denegal. so yeah, if he is the best option in the portal it is worth kicking the tires.
November 24th, 2023 at 10:18 AM ^
Donegal? Isn't that one of the exits on the PA Turnpike? (Yes, I've taken that road too often going between Michigan and Virginia...)
I know you mean Denegal, but this is MGoBlog - I couldn't let it go. Pedantry, and all...
I think he'd do okay, but we haven't seen much of him on the field. Tuttle is clearly the backup, so nobody knows how well Denegal is actually doing.
November 24th, 2023 at 9:37 AM ^
During the Egg Bowl last night, the announcers were saying he hadn’t taken a snap under center since 7th grade before this season because he’s been in Air Raid offenses. And he wasn’t used to having to turn his back to the defense to hand the ball off. Which seems subpar for Michigan’s offense.
November 24th, 2023 at 9:38 AM ^
Expect one of those posts every time a QB announces he's going in to the portal
November 24th, 2023 at 9:40 AM ^
Well, seeing how Michigan might target a QB in the portal, it makes sense to discuss possible targets.
November 24th, 2023 at 9:44 AM ^
Personally, I'm not convinced JJ will declare. With NIL what it is today he has the chance to make money next season while improving his draft stock. I have a feeling he stays. If he doesn't I think we roll with what we have currently and go to a QB competition with Davis next spring and see who grabs the job. It's all useless speculation, but that's my take.
November 24th, 2023 at 12:53 PM ^
That depends on whether he needs to improve his draft stock. If he’s seen as a sure 1st rounder, he’ll go. If not, he’d likely stay for the reasons you mentioned. It’s almost as if Michigan’s strategy the last couple of weeks has been to make sure he falls out of the first round so he’ll be back.
November 24th, 2023 at 9:46 AM ^
Guy looked awful last night.
November 24th, 2023 at 9:52 AM ^
plus if he comes here he can't go to MAC ever and once they get a stagecoach they will come a calling. .
November 24th, 2023 at 10:00 AM ^
He struggled to throw the ball 20 yards last night. I know he had an injury, but if last night was at all indicative of his actual arm talent that is going to be a no.
November 24th, 2023 at 10:01 AM ^
Will Rogers? I bet he gives great quotes when interviewed
November 24th, 2023 at 10:05 AM ^
I know the odds are he leaves but I'd put a solid bet on the odds JJ stays..just got a strong vibe another year would be big for his stock and a less talented QB class with probably only Sanders (If he returns) and if Allar makes a big leap, brings him back to be a top 2 QB in the class.
November 24th, 2023 at 10:14 AM ^
If we win it all he will leave.
November 24th, 2023 at 1:21 PM ^
My pure guess is he stays if Harbaugh stays.
November 24th, 2023 at 10:20 AM ^
Will Rogers?
He looks a little "long in the tooth" to me. Can't we find someone a bit younger?
November 24th, 2023 at 1:52 PM ^
Typical BYU player age tho.
November 24th, 2023 at 12:38 PM ^
Dude was loyal to that program after Leach died. Was excelling passing in the Air Raid and could really run it.
That school wasted a year of his eligibility trying to run pro style there.
Maybe he could run pro style here with our talent. But, that's for the coaches to assess.
Maybe if we steal their signs we will know more!
November 24th, 2023 at 12:40 PM ^
If we're looking at portal targets, can we just start with Riley Leonard at Duke? Dude can move around in the pocket, escape, run, and has a pretty good arm. He had FSU beat in Tallahassee on a bum ankle. FSU didn't come back to win in the 4th until Leonard had to leave because of the ankle. I'd rather have him that Will Rogers...
Of course, if Harbaugh says Denegal is the answer I'd rather stay with Jayden.
November 24th, 2023 at 12:41 PM ^
Sounds like a country music singer.
November 24th, 2023 at 12:48 PM ^
He sings in the huddle, dances in the pocket, and shoots bullets when passing.
November 24th, 2023 at 12:42 PM ^
Zero chance, guy thrived in the Air Raid and has been pedestrian in (not that) MSU's attempt to transition to a power run centered offense after Leach's passing. He'll be looking to find a place with someone from Leach's coaching tree, for good reason.
November 24th, 2023 at 9:03 PM ^
Oklahoma State could be good for him as Bowman is leaving. They aren't strictly air raid so his experience in a power offense, even if subpar, fits with what they want to do.
November 24th, 2023 at 12:43 PM ^
This website is trippin. Crashes my whole damn phone. Hope they get this fixed by tomorrow.
November 24th, 2023 at 12:56 PM ^
Smart money says JJ returns; if he doesn't, this isn't his replacement. Michigan could do much better.
November 24th, 2023 at 12:58 PM ^
The good news is that he won't even need to bother with credits. There have to be others too I'd think. Cameron rising is going back to Utah I heard, for year 11
November 24th, 2023 at 1:11 PM ^
He was hurt and really bad yesterday ( weak arm , bad decisions... no).
November 24th, 2023 at 1:17 PM ^
1. No thank you. He's not very good. Plus he's an Air Raid guy, which doesn't really fit Michigan's personnel. Kirk Campbell does have an Air Raid history, but Michigan doesn't have the dudes for that offense.
2. Michigan can do better than Rogers if they're going the transfer portal route (which I think they will).
3. It would be nice to get the Jim Harbaugh situation sorted out (extension vs. NFL) ASAP, because transfer portal guys are going to be mighty pissed if they transfer to Michigan in January and then Harbaugh leaves in February. But you kinda need your QB to be there for spring practice, so they need to enroll over winter break.
November 24th, 2023 at 1:41 PM ^
To paraphrase the real Will Rogers, if this one transferred to UM, then the average yards per play of both UM and Mississippi St will decrease.
November 24th, 2023 at 4:29 PM ^
Rogers is an Air Raid guy, I don't like him at Michigan.
Tyler Van Dyke at Miami is probably going to be available. But he had his best year in the Air Raid, sucked under Gattis, and he got benched for a freshman this season in a new system.