Michigan Interested in Tom Savage
(HT: On The Banks)
Those who have been following recruiting for a couple years may remember Tom Savage from the class of 2009, who Michigan would have shown interest in - and maybe have had a good shot at landing - if they'd still been running a pro-style offense. He was a 4-star prospect from the Philadelphia area.
Well, Savage ended up signing with Rutgers, but after a couple seasons in Piscataway, he's looking to transfer to another D-1 school. From the Miami Herald:
Besides also recruiting Orlando-area quarterback/Wake Forest oral commitment Kevin Sousa, UM [YTM] called the high school coach of Tom Savage to express interest in the 2008 high school All-American quarterback who is transferring from Rutgers, according to his father. "Tom likes Miami. They have a great coaching staff," Savage Sr. said. But his son cannot speak with schools until Rutgers grants written permission. Rutgers has so far denied Savage permission to speak with UM, but that is being appealed. UF, FSU and Michigan were among others who called Savage’s coach.
Should Savage choose to transfer to Michigan, he'd have to sit out a year, then have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:06 PM ^
No, Devin Gardner shall rule the field, let Miami take him.
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:08 PM ^
...I wouldn't mind having a solid backup like Savage
January 23rd, 2011 at 8:36 PM ^
Doesn't add up. Why would he transfer here if he knows that once he gets here, sits a year, he's still got one year of Denard's eligibility left and two to three of Devin Gardners (depending on if he redshirts.
Doesn't add up unless the guy is comfortable being a backup (in which case, why not stay at Rutgers). I suspect we'll have to live on the thin end of the spectrum and try like hell to land someone in the 2012 class.
January 23rd, 2011 at 9:25 PM ^
Just tell him what happened with the last "backup" we had named Tom.
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:38 PM ^
I think Devin Gardner will be great too, but competition is always a good thing.
January 23rd, 2011 at 11:13 PM ^
January 24th, 2011 at 12:19 AM ^
I wonder if the interest is mutual. If the teams can't speak to Savage how do we know that he would even consider coming to play here? It would be nice to have someone like him to provide some depth and competition.
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:14 PM ^
In the article it also notes that Bolden and Newsome are apparently staying in Happy Valley. Perhaps PSU won't be so screwed after all.
As for Savage, I don't see why he'd want to come to Michigan if he doesn't want to sit. Most likely he'd have to sit until Denard graduates, so he'd be a 5th year senior before getting a shot (he is a true soph).
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:24 PM ^
... bolden and newsome are staying, it's because PSU won't grant them release. They don't really have a choice
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:27 PM ^
Buh-buh-but Joe Pa is so respectable!
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:30 PM ^
That is what I found so interesting, that JoePa is blocking their transfers. I know you need to push for the kids to reconsider, but this seems like a dick move to me.
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:31 PM ^
Not your comment, but players have to sit out a year when they transfer already, and scholarships are for one year and then renewed by the school. The schools have too much power.
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:39 PM ^
Yes, that's part of the story. The story also includes Joe Pa's reasoning being that Bolden and Newsome would be wise to at least wait and see where they stand on the PSU depth chart and how they feel about their situation after spring football, since the first chance they have to play whether they transfer now or in May is the fall of 2012.
Not that Joe Pa is right, but it's not like he's ruining their chance at a college career. They're still getting a free education, room, board, and stipend, which is still much better than those who are greyshirted in the SEC, and they can still transfer in May and be in the exact same situation as if they did it now.
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:45 PM ^
They'd miss out on spring practice at their new school though
January 24th, 2011 at 2:40 PM ^
True, they do miss this spring practice, although they'll still be getting summer camp, fall practice, winter workouts, spring practice '12, and summer camp '12 before potentially playing.
They miss a spring practice opportunity, yes. Personally, taking one's time to make the right decision is more important down the road than hastily transferring to make sure you're at spring practice.
January 24th, 2011 at 12:46 AM ^
Kevin Newsome isn't that great of a QB. I never understood why we wanted him so bad. He's going to be 3rd or 4th guy his entire career at Penn St. Bolden will flip between #1 and 2 until he officially locks the starting spot. Interesting situation over there.
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:59 PM ^
I'd be really happy if Savage were to transfer to Michigan. He obviously couldn't play in 2011, but would provide big-time depth in 2012. However, the fact that he'd be most likely sitting behind Denard and then battling Devin for the starting spot in 2013 makes me think he'd probably go elsewhere, to a program where he'd have a better shot at starting sooner.
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:10 PM ^
he has talent. Big strong armed kid who apparently fell out of favor with the Rutgers coaching staff. I believe that he hasn't redshirted and saw time as a true freshman.
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:35 PM ^
Started as a true freshman at RU
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:10 PM ^
Only if he's a true Savage
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:10 PM ^
Savage would meet a major roster need for UofM.
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:12 PM ^
Anyone know?
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:18 PM ^
I believe he clashed with the coaching staff. He got hurt early in the season and then wasn't able to win back his starting spot from true freshman Chas Dodd. Sounds like Schiano is pretty high on Dodd and Savage has seen the handwriting on the wall.
January 23rd, 2011 at 8:35 PM ^
His problems started in pre-season camp. Dodd was nipping at his heels then and Savage didn't handle it well.Once the season started he played poorly before he got hurt and Dodd took over and never gave it up. But the door wasn't shut by any means. It would have been an open competition for the starting job this Fall but Savage just didn't want to fight for it. Schiano even made it easier for him to stay by firing their moron OC who was too obsessed with the wildcat and hired Frank Cignetti from Pitt. He is a straight up pro style OC who would have been perfect for Tom. But he left anyway. I really question the kid's heart to be honest.
January 23rd, 2011 at 8:33 PM ^
Oh and no he didn't redshirt at RU. But still I don't see him at UM. He wouldn't be up for fighting for the job with a Sr. Denard and then a RS Jr. Devin.
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:26 PM ^
Ooooooh Yeaaaaaaaaah!
/sorry
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:46 PM ^
Awesomeness. Please add to the WWF meme along with Hokemania and Razor Raymon. Anyone know if Ultimate Warrior has verballed yet?
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:57 PM ^
But when you talk to the Sheik, please don't mention B.Brian Blair and the killer Bee's. Or the Ultimate Warrier. Or Macho Man... In fact, on second thought, don't talk to the Sheik at all. Maybe we should check on Leeping Lanny Poffo.
January 23rd, 2011 at 8:07 PM ^
You need to talk to George "The animal" Steele, for he is a Michigan Man.
January 23rd, 2011 at 8:28 PM ^
But he went to that agricultural college in East Lansing. Even played football for them, but had a knee injury in the days before knees could be fixed.
...
Scott Steiner, on the other hand, was a Michigan Wolverine!
January 23rd, 2011 at 8:47 PM ^
That explains George Steele's green tongue, excessive back hair, and primitive mannerisms.
January 23rd, 2011 at 8:00 PM ^
That's awesome.
Also, welcome to 2000+ points.
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:28 PM ^
not a great prospect that would probably only have 1 year of eligibility assuming Denard stays for 4 years.
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:42 PM ^
Do you know what "depth" is?
Just asking.
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:53 PM ^
Also, that we only have 2 scholarship qbs?
January 23rd, 2011 at 8:22 PM ^
I just think we could probably land a decent pocket QB next year and be no worse off. Savage won't help us in 2011, so why not get a full 4 years out of the scholarship. just saying.
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:46 PM ^
He's a tall, big and has strong arm in the mold of Lloyd Carr type QB. He hasn't redshirted and will have 2 years of eligiblity wherever he decides to transfer. He was a 4* recruit and had a lot of upside as a pocket passer.
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:30 PM ^
This is making my head spin:
The guy we recruited until RR came to town might come back.
The staff may also have tried to get the guy RR recruited back.
I think we'll end up signing a guy named Juan Navarre. Who'd really know?
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:39 PM ^
Since the snippet was from the Miami Herald, I am assuming that "UM" refers to Miami.
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:48 PM ^
I agree but Michigan was spelled out at the end.
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:31 PM ^
I too question whether UM makes sense for him but stranger things have happened. However having a 3*/4* QB would be nice for depth now that Tate boogied.
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:39 PM ^
Welcome to New Jersey.
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:47 PM ^
backup and it would be like getting a top recruit with starting experience
January 23rd, 2011 at 8:00 PM ^
question of the day. Do we wait until next year to take a 5* QB? I say yes.
January 23rd, 2011 at 8:01 PM ^
I love that guaranteed 5* commit next year.
January 23rd, 2011 at 8:30 PM ^
we win 10 games we wont get a chance to compete for a 5* QB with the likes of Bama
January 23rd, 2011 at 9:05 PM ^
Ok. Thanks for clearing that one up...
January 23rd, 2011 at 8:09 PM ^
Seriously? Consider our luck with injuries lately. I realize the QB's won't run as much in the future, but if Denard / Devin got hurt, I believe that leaves Kennedy. No offense meant to him, but being down to the LAST QB on the bench would make me very nervous.
January 23rd, 2011 at 9:09 PM ^
If Savage were to transfer here he would not help us this coming season since he would have to sit out a year. We need someone eligible this fall.