Gofor2

December 7th, 2015 at 11:02 AM ^

That the kid wants to be on a team that wins, with UM losing 18 starters this year it's likely that it's best season is behind it, not in front of it. At least over the next 3-4 years. So can't blame a kid for wanting to be a winner instead of a loser.

Joined: 12/13/2014

MGoPoints: 549

Sideline

December 7th, 2015 at 11:39 AM ^

This is the best team he'll be on in the next 3-4 years? I'm sorry, but you're an idiot. Harbaugh's track record proves otherwise.. Sure 9-3 is better than we expected this year, but you're high as a kite if you think 2015 was Michigan's "best year under Harbaugh" in his first 5 seasons.

Joined: 12/09/2009

MGoPoints: 2378

Sideline

December 7th, 2015 at 11:43 AM ^

Where did you pull this number? I count 3 on offense (Rudock, Houma, Glasgow) and 3-4 on defense (Bolden, Ross, RJS, and Ojemudia if he doesn't receive a medical redshirt waiver...) so you're telling me the entire special teams is leaving (+1?) ??

Joined: 12/09/2009

MGoPoints: 2378

GoWings2008

December 7th, 2015 at 10:06 AM ^

A guy who we'd be seeing at LB or FB...and is disappointed because he wants to play QB?  I'm having trouble seeing how that leap is made, athletically.  Is he a Cardale Jones size type?  Is Cal that hard up on a QB that they'd put someone in that other schools are considering for LB/FB?  

For the love of Bo, please help me understand this one...

Joined: 01/26/2011

MGoPoints: 69700

MI Expat NY

December 7th, 2015 at 10:14 AM ^

Pretty simple, he's a big guy who is a good athlete that plays QB in high school at a high enough level to receive D1 offers at that position.  Absolutely can't blame the kid.  I imagine in late fall of 2008/early winter 2009, there was someone (in Florida?) saying similar things about a kid that was being recruited as a DB from most D1 schools deciding to take an offer from Michigan to play QB.  That worked out pretty well.  

Joined: 07/24/2008

MGoPoints: 8641

GoWings2008

December 7th, 2015 at 10:29 AM ^

but is in a position to be successful at either?  I still have a little trouble with the concept...not trouble with him wanting to play QB, but just at some point we all need to have a sense of self-realization.  Wanting to be a QB and being successful at it are two different things.  Cal...great school, solid program.  But lets be honest...its not Michigan. (speaking of the football team).

Joined: 01/26/2011

MGoPoints: 69700

GoWings2008

December 7th, 2015 at 10:48 AM ^

Its just something I have a tougher time coming to terms with, and in the process work up some conversation about it.  I appreciate you guys chiming in...I guess I just view the QB position as so specialized that if you're good at it, you're not necessarily going to be good doing something else and still be as successful, especially a FB or LB...

Joined: 01/26/2011

MGoPoints: 69700

Rabbit21

December 7th, 2015 at 11:06 AM ^

If you're an athlete, you're an athlete and Viramontes game was definitely more to the athlete side.  Still doesn't mean he doesn't have the arm and the ability to read the game well which would serve him at QB.  Cal runs a pretty pass heavy system, but you have to imagine a guy who can take advantage of any running lanes that open up from their spreading the field would be an attractive option as long as they think he can make the required throws.  It's a good offer on Cal's part.  

I do think if Michigan had told him they would let him try Quarterback first he would still be coming here, but they were honest with him about where they saw him as the best fit, hard to fault either side here and as long as it's not in the Rose Bowl against Michigan I wish him the best of luck.

It's a disappointing recruiting loss, but if he wants to play QB then that's what he is going to go do.

Joined: 11/12/2009

MGoPoints: 30303

Lou MacAdoo

December 7th, 2015 at 12:13 PM ^

Well I'm pretty sure many of the current players on this team were HS QBs that have excelled at other positions. It's fairly common. I think you generally want your best athlete at QB (per Harbaugh) which means they're probably too good to not play D as well. Desmond Morgan and Ross Douglas are two that come to mind. I think Vic is a way better QB than either of those guys were though.

Joined: 10/16/2011

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Yinka Double Dare

December 7th, 2015 at 11:05 AM ^

It's not like we haven't benefitted recently from being the P5 to offer a guy at QB who basically everyone else wanted to play at a different position, and turns out the kid was right to want to take his shot at QB. Hard to blame a kid for chasing what he really wants in football, particularly when it's at a school that is 1) a great school and 2) a lot closer to home (presuming Cal will give him a shot at QB first). 

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 9777

schreibee

December 7th, 2015 at 12:42 PM ^

I'm having trouble figuring out what you're having trouble with?

Kid was recruited to play QB... kid WANTS to play QB...the development of Brandon Peters along with the depth in the classes above him, and the possibility of Dylan McCaffrey or other top QB behind him, made a very honest and above board coaching staff tell him he would START at FB/LB.

Not saying he couldn't eventually outcompete all those others, but it was gonna be a tough row to hoe, and the more successful he was playing those other very physical postions would only make it tougher to get back to QB!

Now, Sonny Dykes is likely bolting Cal soon, so Vic may not end up there either. Think of schools that use their QB to run a lot but also incorporate some spread passing principles and you might find some good destinations for him - hint hint RichRod? Hint hint Utah?

Methinks he stays out West and finds himself on a team like those.

Joined: 11/02/2009

MGoPoints: 21143

Ghost of Fritz…

December 7th, 2015 at 11:25 AM ^

with Viramontes...

But he will not play QB at Cal either, at least not under Sonny Dykes' system.  Maybe Dykes is lying to him and telling him that he will be the Cal QB of the future.

If he really wants to play QB he may have to go to a Mountain West school.  Or maybe he could possibly fit in RRod's system as a QB at Arizona.  Not sure.  Maybe though. 

Viramontes probably has a much higher chance making the NFL by playing LB (and/or FB) at Michigan than by playing QB in a system that relies on a healthy dose of QB running (the sort of system where he might make sense as a QB).

Harbaugh's offense calls for a QB that projects as an NFL passer, but also can make a defense pay on scrambles and the occassional designed QB run (more Luck than Navarre).

Great that Harbaugh was honest.  However, I was REALLY looking forward to seeing VV on the field at Michigan.  Would have been a tremendous multi-use weapon in Harbaugh's offense (occassional pistol QB, FB, LB, special teams too), just not as the starting QB...

 

 

Joined: 10/04/2014

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Ghost of Fritz…

December 7th, 2015 at 12:54 PM ^

really calls for NFL prototype QB that can place the ball in a 2x2 window.  Any QB mobility is sort of a nice plus, but not really even required for what Dykes runs at Cal.  For Dykes Goff is the prototype QB, which is very different than VV. 

Besides I was not saying that Navarre = Luck.  I was saying that Harbaugh's ideal QB is a very good passer with a certain degree of mobility and run threat--a guy in the Luck mold. 

 

 

Joined: 10/04/2014

MGoPoints: 23880

ryebreadboy

December 7th, 2015 at 1:57 AM ^

Sucks. I liked him. Wonder if he saw the writing on the wall with Peters getting all those accolades and wants to be the lead guy somewhere. Can't really blame him if so.

Joined: 12/02/2010

MGoPoints: 5946

JOHNNAVARREISMYHERO

December 7th, 2015 at 2:00 AM ^

Did not see this being one of the decommits.  

Wow, loved his attitude and ability.

I really wanted to see him here.

Damn.

Joined: 02/06/2015

MGoPoints: 4079