Quarterback Depth Chart
I thought I would take a look at our Quarterback situation for this year and the coming years. After hearing that Jake Rudock would be joining the team our QB dilemma has all but gone away. We went from having one of if not the worst group of QBs in the B1G to having at least an average B1G quarterback. Here is what are QB situation looks like for this upcoming year:
1. Jake Rudock (SR.)
Will he be Andrew Luck? No. Can he be an Alex Smith stopgap while Harbaugh works on the other guys we have? Yes. He has 691 attempts on his career with a 60.35% completion rate. Rudock has thrown 34 TDs compared to 18 INT. These are not amazing numbers, but compared to what we have, they are a welcome sight. His YDs/ATT are not the great but this could be a result of the offense that they run at Iowa. This guy will start.
2. Shane Morris (JR.)
We all know the story with Shane, cannon for an arm, no finesse, stares down his receiver. Having a good back-up is important, but not crucial. I think that Shane can be serviceable as a reserve. He has game experience, including starting a few games. He has been in college for a long enough period of time to be conditioned, and should be more comfortable with the college game.
3. Wilton Speight (RS FR.)
Hoke did us a favor redshirting this guy. Now we can have a three deep that does not include a true freshman. Wilton can hover around the number 2 spot pushing Shane to make sure he never relaxes. Hopefully we won't have to worry about him playing this year.
4. Alex Malzone (FR.)
My opinion on Malzone differs from others. I do not like the idea of a true freshman getting real playing time this year. It would be beneficial for him to get a year under his belt. Getting used to the college life, getting stronger, and learning the playbook.
5. Zach Gentry (FR.)
I am pretty sure that he is really raw. Not sure he will have the tools to come in right away and compete enough to where he can get out of his redshirt.
John O'Korn (SO.)
Transfer.
This season can end up being way ahead of our original expectations for this position.
Now for 2016:
1. Shane Morris (SR.)
If he develops well, with his tools, he will be the starter next year.
2. Alex Malzone (RS FR.)
High floor, lowish ceiling. Malzone is the safe bet to start because he will not be a disaster.
3. John O'Korn (RS SO.)
He has already played at the college level and with a year under his belt he could be a sleeper bet to start next year.
4. Wilton Speight (RS SO.)
I feel bad for Speight, he is most likely going to get buried under all of the guys we have at this position.
5. Zach Gentry (RS FR.)
Many think Gentry will jump up to 2 or 3 in his second year. However, I think that he will still be raw and may even switch to TE especially if he gets buried on the depth chart.
6. Freshman
Redshirt.
I don't believe that Juniors ever redshirt. It's not gonna happen.
It was sort of a unique case but DeAnthony Arnett redshirted his 3rd year at MSU after transferring from TN. He was eligible to play immediately but they apparently didn't think he was up to snuff. Now he barely played in his 4th year either...
Miami redshirted two junior defensive lineman last season.
Any chance you can find me some tape of him? I would love to watch it. I am interested to see what his flaws are. I am also to see what you see in him that would make you think that he is next level. Not trying to insult you, just wondering.
"Can he be an Alex Smith stopgap"
Guys can we stop with the Alex Smith comparison? Dude was a Heisman finalist (4th I believe). I know you guys are using it in the NFL sense but if we got "Alex Smith" at QB we'd probably be a CFB playoff team.
Rudock is a poor man's Kevin Hogan. Who is a fringe 6th/7th round NFL draft pick. Smith was the 1st overall pick in the draft.
I am more using it in the sense that Harbaugh did not want him as a franchise QB. He made the most out of him and turned him into a legit NFL starter. I do not think they play similar or will be anything close to the same player.
Right I get it - but I am seeing a lot of "well let's get our own Alex Smith". Smith threw for 3000 yards, ran for 600, a 68% completion rate and had 32 TD to 4 INT his senior year. Rudock is nowhere near Alex Smith.
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College-wise, you're absolutely right. Rudock isn't in the same stratosphere as Smith.
I still dont think its a good comparison other than Harbaugh coached him.
Why?
Alex Smith had brilliance earlier in his career. He then floundered. Then he was brought back up AFTER previously having moments of brilliance earlier in his career.
Rudock has just been a servicable guy - never had those moments of brilliance that Harbaugh could "re-find in him".
With that said I am 100% happy we got Rudock and removes a big worry. But I don't see the comparison. A better comparison would be finding a guy who had modest success his entire career and never saw greatness - then a new coach took over and turbocharged his career. That's different from Alex Smith.
Stop being deliberately difficult. You know what he means, and the comparison works (in relation to Smiths capabitlies as a game manager for the 49ers, and what Rudock could do for Michigan in Year 1).
I'm not. I think it is a poor comparison. See above. Alex Smith had proven he had great talent at some point in his career and Harbaugh just had to unearth that out of him. Rudock has not had that. It's not a good parallel IMO. It is only being used because Harbaugh coached him. A better example would be say Dan Orlovsky.
While you're fixated on the statistical profiles and backgrounds of the two players, the term "alex smith stopgap" was used in relation to the type of game manager role that they could both potentially play for Harbaugh in year 1.
Smith started in Year 1 over there, and managed the game for the 9ers.
Rudock could start in Year 1 here, and manage the game for Michigan.
They could both be unspectacular, competent, and hand the ball off as both teams attempt to win with defense and the running game. Thats about all they have in common.
Focusing on their levels of theoretical talent is just nitpicking. Smith's college career isn't relevant to this comparison.
It's not a good parallel IMO. It is only being used because Harbaugh coached him.And how is that irrelevant?
I'll agree to disagree.
Still love your movies.
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Whoever it ends up being, I think the QB play will be decent this season.
I agree... this is like the 6th freaking diary on the QB position in the last 3-4 weeks all re-hashing the same speculative shit and it's not even the end of spring camp yet. The lone difference is this specific post takes into consideration the recent grad transfer.
It's going to be a long summer.
.
I am actually shocked there have not been more "predict our win loss" threads. We were going hot and heavy in January and February (I think we had 3 in 4 days at one point) but the pace has really fallen off!
Maybe after the spring game.
A lot of this reminds me of the basketball projections we did last summer where we all had Chatman and DJ Wilson with monster minutes. Outside of O'Korn and Rudock and Morris there is zero to go off on these guys at the college level.
With coaching, development, and a half decent O-line, I'd love to see Morris get the start and shut people up in here!
Regarding win/loss record, I'm super encouraged... this team is loaded with talent. It's just raw and a bit lazt from pats on the ass, pointing, and hand-clapping. With JH making the team compete for everything, it's not unreasonable to expect big dividends this fall.
have you watched our quarterbacks lately? I know Harbaugh is a QB guy, but Hoke turned Gardner into mush and now no one on the roster has thrown a touchdown in their career here. It's not unreasonable to think Rudock would've started here last year. So unless the QBs take an immediate leap, I think it's likely Rudock's to lose
We tend to think he will get the job by winning the compeition. Did I really have to type that for you?
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Their HS has the most current NFL players from it (10) and it's not even close (3 schools tied at 5 behind them). There are 10-15 entire states without 10.
I have no clue how the QB situation will resolve itself but I'm hoping the strongarmed Morris can be at least number two. If we ever find ourselves in a situation where we need a Hail Mary to win a game his 15+ yards extra potential distance could be the difference between throwing to the end zone or having to run an even lower percentage hook and lateral play to score.I realize you would want to have his arm warmed up some but usually you can see the possibility of needing a Hail Mary ahead of time. Ideal situation for this would be against Spartans and Morris proving to Harbaugh his arm was ready by throwing ball across to the opposite sideline, hitting tha stupid, prancing Sparty in the butt knocking his skirt off! And then completing the winning TD throw of course!
Ugh. I'll never understand why some of you continue to overlook Malzone as if he's some plan B or C option in quarterback recruiting. He's one of the top QB prospects in his class and has done nothing but win ever since someone put a football in his hand. He should be talked about in the same tone as guys like Gentry and O'Korn, not as some career backup who isn't expected to compete for the starting job.
It is almost like you are doing this as a joke now. Every post about Malzone and you are right on top of it.
What other schools was he recruited by?
What other schools offered Shane? Well, I guess we can kick that argument the side.
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You'll have one of the biggest "I told you so" moments on the blog if you're right.
I'm not looking for an "I told you so" moment. I just want this program to improve and everything I've seen/heard/read about Malzone makes me feel very fortunate that we landed him, especially after the way the previous staff botched QB recruiting so badly. I admit it irks me when people say things like "of all our QBs, Shane has the best chance to be great" or "Malzone will make a solid backup" when all the available evidence suggests that both those statements are wrong.
I think its a safe bet that Rudock is the guy starting next year. He has the experience, he's had success in an offense that is about as bland as it gets, and he can be a leadership presence in the huddle. Not saying the other guys can't, but experience is a big factor in being able to lead. I also think Harbaugh will be able to help him find another gear that he was never able to find at Iowa.
Beyond next year, its really anyone's guess. If Shane can put it all together, I think he gets the nod since he has an incredibly high ceiling. I wouldn't be shocked, either, if its Malzone, since I've heard nothing but great things about him since he set foot on campus. Seems like he's a real student of the game and will pick up Harbaugh's offense without any issues.
But if you made me take an absolute wild guess, I think Gentry will be the guy. Not in 2015, maybe not in 2016, but I think by the 2017 season, he will be leading the offense. He looks like he is built perfectly for what Harbaugh wants in his QBs. He can make all the throws, he can run if he needs to, and he's built like a frickin' tank. Mechanics need work, but that's what Harbaugh and redshirt seasons are there for.
Where Morris doesn't benefit is the fact that his 2 years in the program don't mean anything since it's a new offense to learn. In fact, it's his 3rd offense to learn in 3 years so it puts him behind in some ways.
Have to think Ruddock will start, how good he'll be is anyone's guess. If he can be a game manager and we can protect hm and run the ball it could be a smoother transition year. Still haviing trouble seeing 8 wins, but who knows.
I think this year and possibly next year's QB battle will be a lot like the 2004 Chad Henne/Matt Guiterrez/Clayton Richard/Spencer Briton battle. We can assume that Rudock will be the guy, but someone may come out of nowhere and take the job (seeing as how it will be a meritocracy).
Who's watched the film on Rudock? I'm not convinced. In the two games I watched it seems that he's a bit slow, with below average arm, and was heavily reliant on rolling out and dumping off to TE's (read: Iowa). I'd love to see Morris win this job.
I wouldn't call Alex Smith a stopgap. His last season Smith completed 70% of his passes, had a QBR of 104 and took them to the superbowl.
is additional eligibility. If the competition is close, the non-Rudock may see additional playing time or even the starting job, simply because they will come back next year more experienced. The one down side of Rudock getting all the playing time this year, is that we end up having the same problem next year, we are starting an inexperienced QB (unless it is O'Korn who has sat out a year).
Well, hopefully we're able to play a backup during some garbage time this year to get him some more experience.
But even so, we'll be in a better situation next year. Rudock might be gone, but we'll have more options (O'Korn will be eligible, plus a 2016 kid or two), all the guys will have a full year in the system, and all the guys will be a year older overall.
at least average. But, I'm not too sure about two points. One, I think the QB situation was drastically underrated (comparatively), probably because of the lack of experience (and the recent poor performance). Both Morris and Speight were big-time recruits. They have to be given the benefit of the doubt. Not only did Morris come in not ready (because of the mono), and not redshirt, but then he switched systems after one year. And, he was playing behind a QB, in Gardner, who needed LOTS of reps and attention. I would have thrown those 2 QBs against anybody in the Big 10, except three programs (osu, psu, msu). Just because Nate Sudfeld has started x amount of games, doesn't mean he's good. Same with Tommy Armstrong. Programs like Illinois, Rutgers and Purdue are certainly worse of than UM going into Spring. Second, I'll admit I'm surprised Ruddock chose Michigan. I cannot fathom that he was guaranteed anything by Harbaugh, except a chance to compete for the starting role. I'm sure he could have gotten more of a guarantee some place else. So, I have to admire his confidence for stepping into the fire. But, if he's not the best QB, come August, he's not starting. It think that's evident. I think it will speak volumes of the character of Morris and Speight if they welcome the challange of Ruddock, and will speak even more about their talent if either one is capable of winning the job.
Perhaps he chose Michigan in part for the academics. He's a bright young man, Pre-Med and majoring in microbiology. Sports are fun but we should never forget that Michigan is one hell of an institution of higher learning.
John O'Korn threw 28 touchdowns as true freshman at Houston. If he was eligible, I would have to imagine that he would be above Morris, Speight, and Malzone.
1. Rudock
2. Malzone
3. Morris
4. Gentry
2016:
1. Gentry
2. Malzone
3. O'Korn
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