Who is the most surprising UM bust in the NFL to you?
Who are the guys you thought would be great at the next level, but busted?
I'll start the bidding with Devin Bush. I guess I knew it was possible that being undersized could be an issue for him, but his speed and tackling and football IQ were so insanely high in college that I never seriously considered that he'd spend his NFL career getting paved by 320lb guards who are also insane athletes.
February 27th, 2024 at 9:49 AM ^
It's maybe not the most surprising because of the hit rate on NFL QB's, but I was shocked Denard didn't have a bigger impact. He was basically Lamar Jackson, with maybe not so great passing skills. But I thought even as a RB that he would have a longer career than he did, but I can also understand that injuries robbed him of some of his potential. But still, I thought for sure a guy as fast and athletic as Denard would carve out a decent little NFL career
February 27th, 2024 at 9:53 AM ^
You can't say he was Lamar Jackson without the skill that made Lamar Jackson so excellent. Denard was a really good college player that didn't have an NFL future outside of being a gadget guy.
February 27th, 2024 at 11:05 AM ^
I knew Denard had no future as a QB. But he seemed like a he could be a fine RB. Seems mayve his playing QB in college limited his development for the pro game.
February 27th, 2024 at 11:14 AM ^
i suspect the ulnar nerve injury restricted pass-catching ability, which kills any modern age skill guy
February 27th, 2024 at 5:50 PM ^
The ulnar nerve injury was huge and way under-played, affecting not just his ability to pass, but also to catch the ball and even handle it. His best chance would have been to try to go back to defensive back but that was a tall order without having played it in college.
February 27th, 2024 at 11:36 AM ^
I'm not as sold on Denard as a RB, especially in the NFL. He was a bit undersized and would have needed to bulk up a bit to withstand the rigors of an NFL schedule, but he also was a great running in space. I'm not sure how that would translate to being a primary, non-QB ball carrier in a complex rushing scheme. I feel like he would have been best suited as a slot receiver/gadget guy, but he obviously never had much development in that role.
February 27th, 2024 at 1:35 PM ^
Denard was the same size as Reggie Bush but faster (Bush might have been faster, but I'm not looking it up).
February 27th, 2024 at 10:22 PM ^
Bush was faster (at least in the 40) and already an established RB. Bush was also thicker-less body fat. Denard was a little soft, actually.
In the open field though, forget it, I'd take Denard.
February 27th, 2024 at 11:56 PM ^
This. Denard was electric in space, but being a QB who can run and make guys miss on a scramble is much different than a RB who knows how to let blocks develop because there are multiple defenders waiting and expecting you to be in a spot and/or run routes out of the backfield. It's not just about being a fast guy with the ball in your hands, and even running off an option read is different than taking a handoff and following your linemen's lead. As great as Denard was, he was not a guy like Barry Sanders who could make the driest jersey feel like it was coated in oil if you were trying to take him down between the tackles.
If we need a case study, look no further than Donovan Edwards and Blake Corum. One has possessed the vision and patience to make the most of his carries while the other has routinely picked the wrong lane or hesitated just enough to lose leverage, but if you asked which one was the better athlete, who would you choose? There is a lot more to bring a RB than simply being able to get the edge and run past dudes.
February 27th, 2024 at 2:30 PM ^
Denard deserved NIL
February 27th, 2024 at 10:17 AM ^
Thinking back to Denard's time in college is such an anomaly in my opinion as I can't recall another player since that was so gifted in one particular skill set that opposing teams couldn't stop. RR pretty much said "Go do your thing where you make everyone look dumb". Towards the end of his career at UM, I could barely watch him throw passes beyond 10 yards without covering my eyes. He made some good throws (Under The Lights vs ND 2011) but was a "one-trick pony" in the kindest sense of the phrase.
Glad he's still around the program and has to be the nicest/happiest guy to wear a Michigan jersey.
February 27th, 2024 at 10:30 AM ^
"Towards the end of his career at UM, I could barely watch him throw passes beyond 10 yards without covering my eyes."
Playing with a damaged ulnar nerve in one's elbow produces that result. One of Brady Hoke's worst mistakes at UM was to continue playing Denard with that injury. It was Hoke's pathetic, short-sighted, insensitive, stupid choice to ignore the extent of such a debilitating injury.
https://www.nfl.com/news/denard-robinson-gets-positive-news-about-nerve-injury-0ap1000000158379
February 27th, 2024 at 10:35 AM ^
I was so mad we were robbed of a Denard RB and Devin QB Back field. Denard couldn't throw with his injury, but could carry the ball and run. Devin was almost as good of a runner and a much better arm.
Even better would be both healthy in the back field. Denard could still do throws over the defense after he started to run. Seeing defenses choose between a running sometimes passing Denard, and a passing / running Devin would have been so much fun. Neither had an elite running back in the backfield with them.
February 27th, 2024 at 3:13 PM ^
I have a lot of unnecessary anger over Denard and Devin. I wish they had a quality coaching staff that could have set them up for future success in the NFL.
February 27th, 2024 at 4:11 PM ^
Devin yes, but Denard was never an accurate passer in HS...something in the mid 40% range if I remember right. He did a bit better at Michigan but his passing skills were limited (relatively speaking.) I always saw him as a slot receiver who would get lots of usage because of his running ability once he had the ball in his hands.
February 27th, 2024 at 5:53 PM ^
he did a lot better at Michigan- pre-injury in his big season he was something like 18th in the nation in passing efficiency. No one seems to remember this.
February 27th, 2024 at 6:43 PM ^
Denard completed 62%of his passes under RRod. Hoke came in, had denard under center and his percentage dropped to 55%. His senior season vs Nebraska his injury lowered his % to 52.
February 27th, 2024 at 10:27 PM ^
That coaching staff (primarily on offense) had no idea wtf they were doing.
February 27th, 2024 at 12:12 PM ^
Yup. I've dealt with ulnar nerve issues on and off and it really hampers your ability to do things with your hand and fingers. It freakin sucks.
February 27th, 2024 at 2:15 PM ^
Hoke had a knack for ignoring serious injuries.
February 27th, 2024 at 3:52 PM ^
It's almost as if he was not fully aware.
February 27th, 2024 at 8:30 PM ^
In his defense, maybe while you're listening so closely to football, you can't hear the injuries as well.
February 27th, 2024 at 12:15 PM ^
There were some linemen that washed out pretty quick during those years like Ben Braden and Mason Cole.
Mike Desimione has a page on wolverines in the NFL: http://www.mikedesimone.com/michf.htm
February 27th, 2024 at 12:20 PM ^
Cole had a decent career did he not? I recall he started quickly.
February 27th, 2024 at 12:31 PM ^
Cole is still in the NFL and was just released by the Steelers last week after starting the last 2 seasons for them
February 27th, 2024 at 5:59 PM ^
I guess Michigan is so good now that several year NFL careers including starting on playoff teams makes you a bust?!
Mason Cole does not belong in this thread - unless he wants to nominate another player!
February 27th, 2024 at 2:58 PM ^
If Rich Rod would have been his coach for his whole career, his college career would have been much more spectacular (this is probably the M player I'd say that about).
February 27th, 2024 at 3:32 PM ^
We sit here and desk-jockey about these guys as "busts," intoning--in our great wisdom about their failure to do this and that--when most of us cut ourselves plenty of slack if we're just architects building local houses and not skyscrapers; engineers in biotech firms. Etcetera. Sure, it's easy talk; it's chatter. But there's a tortured logic in these conversations. Denard cranked out more yards than any NCAA player before him. He's a coach at the U of M. Denard is a success. And many of the people commenting. . . may not have anything like the good day that Mr. Robinson will have today, drawing huge smiles, getting name-checked on the street.
February 27th, 2024 at 10:17 AM ^
Listening to Devin Gardner talk about being roommates with Denard and the condition he was in between games, I’m more surprised that Denard could still walk. That man took a brutal beating week in and week out.
February 27th, 2024 at 2:28 PM ^
Lol, Jesus H...
He was not basically Lamar Jackson. They're not at all similar other than being black and fast. Even their running styles are very different.
February 27th, 2024 at 6:08 PM ^
Maybe a bunch of you are on the younger side, but Tyrone Wheatley was one of the greatest Michigan football players of all time, and he was a marginal NFL player- 1 season with 1,000-yds rushing in an otherwise unexceptional career.
Maybe the injury bug slowed him?
In that draft I argued with a co-worker that Ty should be picked over Marshall Faulk! One if the few times I'll ever admit being just plain WRONG! But that's how good he was at Michigan!
February 28th, 2024 at 8:09 AM ^
Ty had a decent career, but you're right, he was best of the best in college. Was probably a mistake to come back for his senior season as he was projected much higher (top 5) after his junior year than his eventual pick. Also another year of wear and tear.
February 27th, 2024 at 9:50 AM ^
In Devin's case he was never the same after that injury.
I'll go with David Terrell or Taco Charlton. If I remember correctly, Taco ended his Michigan career with 10 sacks in 10 games. It seemed like he was just scratching the surface of his abilities and was about to explode.
February 27th, 2024 at 9:53 AM ^
If we remove injury from the equation its gotta be Terrell who to the best of my memory never had any injury issues in the league. As a Bears fan this one cuts deep. Man I thought he was gonna be a stud, but not even a flash in the pan. Barely a flicker.
February 27th, 2024 at 10:01 AM ^
As far as pure talent as a WR who looked to project perfectly to the NFL, I'm not sure we have had a better athlete at that position than Terrell. He was an absolute freak before we really focused on people being "freaks." The fact that he never amounted to anything was extremely surprising.
February 27th, 2024 at 10:14 AM ^
Terrell was injured! I met him when I was a high school sophomore because the Bears would send players around to get kids who were getting drivers licenses to become organ donors, what with Walter Payton, etc.
He was on crutches that day.
Also, if you want to know why he didn't have great numbers look at this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Chicago_Bears_starting_quarterbacks
February 27th, 2024 at 11:10 AM ^
Maybe you remember because you are football coach, but many don't remember that he also play CB at Michigan a few times. His talent and athleticism was through the roof!
February 27th, 2024 at 7:56 PM ^
I'm pretty sure he played corner against the Penn St team that was number 1 in the country until they lost to Minnesota the week before they played us.
February 27th, 2024 at 10:20 PM ^
i think i remember plaxico destroying him
February 27th, 2024 at 12:03 PM ^
As a Bears fan, drafting David Terrell and Anthony Thomas was a dream come true. That's where the dream ended though, lol.
February 27th, 2024 at 10:03 AM ^
David Terrell and Anthony Thomas for sure, after Thomas won ROTY he didn't do much. Those two formed my childhood memories, loved those guys!
February 27th, 2024 at 11:20 AM ^
Taco shouldn’t have been taken in the first round. Cowboys fans were rightfully pissed about the reach. I wonder if he could’ve had a decent career if he was taken in later rounds so he didn’t have the weight and expectations that come with being a first rounder for the Cowboys.
February 27th, 2024 at 12:39 PM ^
Was following a Tacoma a couple days ago with the last two letters intentionally removed and wondered if it might be Taco.
February 27th, 2024 at 11:28 AM ^
David Terrell is the correct answer
February 27th, 2024 at 2:27 PM ^
*the bomb-a$$ answer
February 27th, 2024 at 2:41 PM ^
Devin finished 3rd in defensive rookie of the year voting and was on a star track on the Pittsburgh defense. Alas, that injury really sapped his speed.
February 27th, 2024 at 9:52 AM ^
I'm gonna go with Braylon Edwards. He had all the physical tools. Just couldn't get his act together. Unfortunate. Being drafted by the Browns didn't help.
February 27th, 2024 at 9:54 AM ^
He had drop issues at Michigan and those cropped up big time in the NFL. The reason he was a bust at least tracked.
February 27th, 2024 at 9:56 AM ^
He had the best season of his career with the Browns. As both a Browns and a Braylon fan, lets not act like that situation was a 1 way street.
February 27th, 2024 at 12:38 PM ^
He had 16 TDs in 16 games in 2007.