Best Collegiate Rushing QB All-Time... Denard?
I hope this isn't an awful off-season topic. I was having a conversation regarding the best running QB in college football and asserted (me just being a homer lol) that not only is Denard the best NOW but he's the best ever. In response several names were thrown out:
Tommie Frazier
Vince Young
Cam Newton
Mike Vick
In the speed department Denard crushes everybody but Vick, who he crushes in the stats department.
Frazier is a legend, but again Denard's stats >.
What say ye? Are we watching the best ever?
He's up there, if he gets close to or breaks White's record I say that it is him. That is is this is refering to best quaterback at running. Not the running quarterback who is the best overall quaterback
Consider that Denard really didn't have any supporting cast of offensive weapons until Fitz emerged last year. The other QB's on those lists had other playmakers on their teams that the defense had to watch. What makes Denard so impressive, he would make big plays even when all eyes were on him.
Freshman year (952 to be exact I think) to Denard's back-up role his freshman year when he had around 350 yards rushing. And pretty much started/played about 40 games (Pat White) to achieve those stats.
he might already have the rushing record. For another what-if, if White hadn't injured his thumb against Pitt in the 2007 game (and the WVU kicker had made his FGs) they probably would have beaten the Panthers and gone on to play in the NC. Which means it would have been extremely unlikely that RR would have bolted to Michigan.
If Denard was a 4-year RR starter, he would have the rushing record hands down. I'd be willing to be that he would be the only member of the 2000/2000 club too
Pat White was pretty awesome, there is no denying that. There have been some greats as others have mentioned: Vick, Crouch, Fraizer, El, etc. I don't consider VY nor Cam Newton "running QB's" per se.
The thing that seems so unique about Denard is the fact that everyone on the field, on the sidelines, in the press box, and watching on TV hold their collective breath when he runs the ball because there's a good chance that he takes it to the house. I don't remember that with any other running QB. To be fair though, I didn't really watch those other -- with the exception of VY -- all that often. It just seems like he can score from anywhere. Does that make him the best? I don't know, but I he's certainly my favorite, and the most exciting player to wear the Maize and Blue since Charles Woodson.
You do know Cam newton in his 1 year at Auburn rushed for almost 1500 yards on 264 attempts and Vince Young averaged like 1,000 yards a season on 150 attempts in the 3 years he played at Texas. It's hard to argue that they are both not rushing QB's
Yeah, you're probably right. I suppose my perception is off. When I think of "running QB's" for whatever reason, I don't think of them as such. They were, as you pointed out, so I'll have to adjust my perception. Thanks for setting me straight.
Outside of White, who ran a similar system, it's hard to compare to anyone really. And even White wasn't relied on as much, though he had better threats around him. Just because Nebraska ran an option scheme, doesn't mean those QBs were ever their primary ball carriers. They also operated under center in a different era.
The scariest I ever watched when he dropped back was Vince Young. That guy made more guys look slow - while he looked like he was taking an afternoon jog - than anyone I ever watched, and was great at finding lanes to take off to when the pass plays didn't work. But they also ran very few plays purely designed for him to run. If you said that Michigan could have Vince Young running RR's offense, I can't say I would be too disapointed, and I feel running wise it would be about an even swap (Young has other factors that would favor him overall at this point). Again though, they would be tasked with doing different things. Young would do the QB power, but is better at scrambling.
I also don't think you can discount Tebow. While maybe not as electric in space, the fact that you could use him as a power back and he was so difficult to bring down makes him one of the best running QBs of all time. Cam Newton in a similar manner (though, like Young, I'm not sure either can be catergorized as a 'running' QB by the end of their college careers, very duel-threat).
So while I think he's up there, I think it's very difficult to compare. It's like comparing Jim Brown to Barry Sanders, two very different backs from slightly different eras and/or schemes.
VY was one of those "long striders" that has an amazing blend of speed and size. In the NC Game against USC, I think every sentient being in the known universe knew that he was going to run for the winning TD, and despite the amazing number of NFL-ready defenders USC had on the field that game, nobody could even lay a finger on him. You're right, he made very fast players look like they were standing still. It was certainly uncanny.
My favorite VY play of all time, the "pump fake" against Ok St:
I really hope Denard can incorportate the pump fake into his game this season -- it's absolutely LETHAL against spying LB's.
Was that filmed with a toaster?
EDIT: Disregard, it was just the lowest quality version showing on my phone.
Stats might indicate otherwise and I could be convinced, but VY was the most dominant college player I've ever seen, period. I think it's between Denard and Vick for second. Frazier def in discussion though.
do I regret that we were not in a position to redshirt Denard in his freshman year. As exciting as he was at moments it seems like it was a wasted year. Most of what he has accomplished so far was in two seasons.
Smash,
I'm am 100% with you on this point. Listen to the commentator in the no famous "Denard's first play" video. He said something to effect of, "Rodriguez said, 'he's just too good to redshirt...' " Looking back, I wish RR hadn't made that decision and just stuck with Tate all season. Although, how could he? He didn't have a viable back up and Denard was absolutely perfect for his system. It sure would be nice knowing that we had Denard for '12 and '13, and thus could RS Shane. Oh well, such is life.
Denard is my second favorite wolverine of alltime (behind only Charles Woodson) but I would be lying if I said I thought he was a better running QB that Mike Vick was. From a purely statistical standpoint he may prove superior to all of them, but from my time watching the two of them play I would have to give the slight edge to Vick.
Honestly I have never seen anyone as electric with the ball in his hands. I read a post further up in the thread about everyone holding their breath because Denard could take it to the house at any given moment, and that is exactly how it was when Vick got the ball.
Where I think Vicj seperates himself is his ability to make people miss and get out of trouble. To this point in his career Denard hasn't really done much of that. It seems to me that he is so intent on proving to everyone that he can play QB that he misses many opportunities to make plays when the play breaks down. Vick would recognise when the play wasn't there and when it wasn't, he would showcase his abilities.
I hope Denard does more of that this year (using his legs when a pass play breaks down) and he can do it on a regular basis and start making things happen on broken plays I think that would put him on the same level as Mike Vick (who I think is the best).
I remember watching a show called Sports Science:
1. Denard can run 22 (21.84 to be exact to Michael Vicks 21.63)mph in the open field
2. Denard cuts at angles better that NFL Pro Bowl running backs
3. When coming to a complete stop in the pocket to avoid a sack, Denard exerts the same force that an astronuat feels upon takeoff to outer space.
4. And a remarkable 4.32 40-yard per Sports Science (4.30 fastest recorded while at UM) to Vick's 4.34 40-yard per Sports Science (4.25 fastest recorded during college)
5. 10.4 100m for Denard. Can not find any info for Vick.
Thoughts on the possibility of the staff allowing Denard trying to break the record (career rushing)??
"The Team, The Team, The Team"
No way will they deliberately call plays to have Denard break a record. I know we all want to see him break that record, but Denard staying healthy is far too important to this team to mess around.
If Denard would do what I pray each time I see the first yard marker guaranteed, and run to the first down spot, no doubt he'd have a significant amount more yardage right now. I don't mind when he throws to a wide open receiver in this situation, but into coverage vs. a sure first down and possibly many more yards when he's in the clear, there is no doubt he might own all rushing records by qbs already.
One thing many people overlook often is how good he was his first year, in limited backup to Tate rushing between the tackles. He would often pick up 5-7 yards when it looked like he would be stopped at line of scrimmage.
Given the above and the fact he does throw into coverage, played a limited role his first season and almost all handoffs by Devin to him all result in the defense knowing it's a jet sweep, therefore, ready to limit yardage gained, it would be logical to assume he's the greatest running qb ever. Hell, let's face it. If he had RSed and given that year to learn the game instead of learning as he played, and started for four consecutive years, he more than likely would have not only become the unquestionable greatest running qb ever, he would have surpassed Hart as Michigan's leading all-time rusher, while still racking up huge amounts through the air because the spread offense he would have run entirely for fours years had Michigan been solid on defense simple because when he was running the spread entirely, it was impossible for our receivers not be be wide open waving their arms in an hopes that DR would see them.
NE had some great rushing qbs, but consider they were brought in almost exclusively as rushers because under Tom they threw about 10 times a game, in essence making them RBs who would sometime pitch to their option man because of design of offense and tremendous talent surrounding them. Yeah, he's the best ever.
Chad Henne with a side of Elvis Grbac.
I agree Pat White should have been included but the people on the internets whom I'm arguing against didn't mention his name until like page 7... I went with the original guys they brought up.
LMAO at me arguing on the internet...
Yes... period
Can't wait until NCAA 2018 when I can argue against virtual people that Shane Morris is the best QB in the game lol
first, let me say I appreciate the props given on this site by Michigan fans for Tommie---and that I thoroughly enjoy watching Denard who is a special player as well.
But Frazier's in a class by himself as far as running/dual threat college quarterbacks when you consider his individual career stats and team accomplishments. Of course he played on some great teams but everyone mentioned here had talent around them. He was a four year starter, who missed several games and had no NFL career due to blood clots from Crohn's disease.
2 NC's, back-to-back
MVP in 3 NC games
33-3 as a starter
4 Big Eight Conference championships
1st Team All-American
Heisman runner-up
2,233 career rushing yards, 4,003 passing yards
Sports Illustrated back-up quarterback on NCAA Football All-Century Team.
College FootballNews #33 player on their Top 100 Greatest College Football Players of All-Time
In only 2 years as a full time starter:
32-2 record
6,040 yards passing, 44TD
61% completions (compared to 49% for Frazier)
3,127 yards rushing 37TD
1st QB to pass for 3000/rush for 1000 in a season
1 NC
2 Rose Bowl MVP's
1st team AA
Manning award
Maxwell Award
Davey O'Brien award
Heisman runner up (robbed!)
All that in 2 years as a full time starter, not too shabby.
I would also have to disagree.
The majority of the accolades listed for Frazier there are team accolades not measures of individual running skill. Also, Frazier played on the mid 90's Nebraska teams that are among the best in history running behind one of if not the greatest offensive line of all time.
Being on a winning team isn't a tell-all indicator of personal skill. (Juwan Howard got a ring this year and Kevin Durant didn't) Barry Sanders... a great individual football player... was on some miserable Lions teams.
I'm not saying TF was a slouch by any stretch of the imagination. Probably top 5 running qb material.
But that being said... In 2010 Denard rushed for 1700 yards... nearly as many as TF rushed for in his career.
Denard also has physical skills that TF (while great) didn't. (i.e. dilithium) Denard runs a 4.3. That's elite speed for a QB. Frazier only ran a 4.5. Also, Denard's highlights show lateral quickness and agility at a level that I don't see when I watch Frazier's to compare.
Usually not into predictions, but bored in the middle of the summer, so here we go.
Denard will have the most electrifying year college football has seen since Reggie Bush's Heisman year, except Denard will get to keep his trophy.
Denard will be unreal as a senior. After an entire year to digest the Borges offense, along with an O-line and recievers that went through the system change as well, they will be a machine. Denard will not get as many called rushes, but I expect him to break contain and scramble more often, which could mean an even higher YPC average.
The passing game should actually click this year with Denard and Borges actually speaking the same language, Denard understanding the routes, system, and timing better, and Al understanding Denard's strengths and weaknesses better.
Michigan 24 Alabama 17
Robinson: Passing 16-25 245 YDS 2 TD 1 INT Rushing 15 Carries 108 Yards
Fitz: 23 Carries 98 Yards
BILG,
I agree with you 100%. Obviously Denard has his issues last year, but as Hoke & Co. said repeatedly, it wasn't only Denard that was learning the offense, it was the entire offense. When one player misses an assignment, or runs a poor route, it makes Denard look bad. I have no doubt that Denard will make far fewer mistakes, as will the OL, the WR's,the RB's, and perhaps most importantly, the OC himself. Given the fact that every DC that Michigan will face is going to be keying on Denard's running abitlity, I think the overall improvement of the entire offense is going to make for some extremely electrifying performances by Michigan's #16 -- they're not going to know whether he's going to run or pass, and that is when both aspects of his game will explode.