Harbaugh on Speight: "I don't rule it out completely"
From the Landof10.com:
https://www.landof10.com/michigan/wilton-speight-michigan-football-retu…
“Wilton is going to be a graduate transfer. Wilton graduates in May, and he’s weighing some of his options. I think he’s first taking a look and seeing what else is out there, who’s in need of a starting quarterback. But he hasn’t closed the door on coming back.”
March 27th, 2018 at 10:30 PM ^
I'd love for him to come back tbh. Having multiple solid backups is a great thing for us.
But some Michigan dorms and low-end restaurants have the corner on poisons in this country. Will be interesting to see where Speight defects as he's not our future.
Can't we just move on with the guys on scholarship? All other B1G schools seem capable of doing just that.
Have any other Big Ten schools lost their former starting QB to a grad transfer?
I think there was a guy from Iowa who grad transferred.
In any event, it seems that this was not a case of Jim giving him a "firm handshake" but Speight's call.
I'd take him back if he wanted to return. Brian Griese nearly didn't return for his 5th year, as well...
Yeah, it's been said before that Harbaugh was surprised when Speight approached him about transferring.
Griese was bad as underclassman. Bad enough that he not only lost his job to Driesbach but was going to go into his field of study instead of continuing to play football.
He massively improved as a senior.
March 27th, 2018 at 11:36 PM ^
What in gods name would make you think that is a legit comparrison? Speight was a junior the year you are talking about, not a sophomore but its still dumb to compare a qb in our 2016 offense to one in our 97 offense. Greise obviously did not cost us any games in 97, Speight blew the Iowa and OSU games pretty much on his own in 2016. Greise turned down scholarship from Purdue where his dad went to walk on at Michigan. He had to fight Dreisbach for the starting job his whole time here and lost the job a few times. The guy was 3-0 as a starter vs OSU and mvp of the rose bowl on his way to a natty as a senior. He had an 11 year NFL career and was a starter for over 1/2 of it, made a pro bowl in 2000. Speight will never sniff the league, he is transferring because he doesn't want to compete for the job. Speight couldn't hold Brian Greise's jockstrap, I about puked in my mouth reading you comparing the 2.
Wilton was the only reason that Michigan had a chance against OSU in 2016. The game isn't close if O'Korn was starting.
As for the Iowa game the WR's weren't helping that much that night, plus thats where the shoulder injury happened.
March 28th, 2018 at 10:33 AM ^
The 4th quarter ended tied 17-17 with 14 of OSU's points coming from 1 pick 6 and another int returned to the 5 yard line but Sp8 is the only reason Michigan had a chance in that game? So fuck Don Brown and the defense I guess huh
Is underselling him just a bit, he made the pro bowl one season.
Good enough to beat OSU twice .... and was brought off the bench to beat an undefeated squad in 1996:
http://www.cleveland.com/osu-michigan/2012/04/osu-michigan_1996_brian_g…
He didn't exactly win those games himself. In fact, he almost lost the '95 game with his 3 picks.
Couldn't get a better date for the prom, huh? Back to the 'ole ball and chain, huh?
Don't even think you're getting any, mister.
I recall asking Umbig11 about this and some didn't seem to like me asking it.
March 27th, 2018 at 10:04 PM ^
And a broken neck? Sounds like a great plan!
No thaks...I'd rather not see a guy die on the field and coming back after a broken neck is just too risky.
..is just like when he drops back to pass; slow and error-prone.
Boom!
WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY???????????????????????????????????????
If nothing else, he’d be a steady senior presence in what will be a very young QB room next Fall. I’d welcome him back if he chose to come back.
March 27th, 2018 at 10:13 PM ^
He wouldn't be able to do that until he made a firm commitment that was accepted.
March 27th, 2018 at 11:45 PM ^
March 27th, 2018 at 10:14 PM ^
He has many good and admirable qualities.
Throwing a football is not one of them.
Good dude, but honestly we can't afford any Speght in this make or break year for Harbaugh and our program.
Quit shitting on O'Korn. Here is the exact quote:
“Honestly, I think I’m the most NFL-ready quarterback in this draft just as far as terminology, and knowing what to do on a day-to-day basis, game-planning.”
He didn't say he's the best QB in the draft. He talked about how he knew confidence, preparation, and game planning. And who knows? He might be right. He spent time in two vastly different offensive systems and learned from one of the best QB coaches out there in Harbaugh. Obviously he's not the best QB in the draft, but he should be commended for identifying some positives about his experience.
March 28th, 2018 at 10:36 AM ^
I have to agree. O'Korn shouldn't even do football interviews... in fact he should hide away in a cabin pining for the better days of his youth. That would be fair, I think.
jdon
Ostensibly he would be an ok backup/3rd string. However, if there is an injury or eligibility issue with Patterson, I'd rather see a young guy. If Patterson goes down we wouldn't have much of a shot at anything besides and average bowl game anyways.
What's wrong with taking him back? If he can't win the starting position, we have an experienced backup who can also help groom the young guys, as well as help Shea pick up the offense. I highly doubt that Wilton would be a cancer in the lockeroom.
Speight would just take possible playing time from someone promising.