Devin Gardner and Jeremy Gallon both signed to play football in Japan

Submitted by James Burrill Angell on
No joke. Click through to the mLive article http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2016/08/devin_gardner_jeremy_… "The former Michigan teammates have signed to play for the Nojima Sagamihara Rise of Japan's "semi-pro X-League" this season. The team is based in Sagamihara City, Kanagawa, Japan -- roughly 6,400 miles from Ann Arbor. Per the Japan Times, Gardner and Gallon will begin their Japanese football careers Aug. 28. "I thought it was kind of a great experience for me, because I've never actually been out of the country, out of the U.S. So I mean, why not get a chance to be a part of something special," Gardner told the paper."
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Hornsgoblue (not verified)

August 11th, 2016 at 9:26 PM ^

2 of my favorite players. I wish Gardner would have been a year younger and would have had the chance to play QB for Harbaugh. Gallon is simply a highlight real waiting to happen.

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dragonchild

August 12th, 2016 at 6:01 AM ^

Side note, Jeremy Gallon is going to LOVE being average height.

I caught a game on TV when I was there; I don't know if it was this league -- players were all Japanese IIRC -- but level of play was surprisingly high.  I'd say about FCS level, which ain't bad for a country with basically zero football history.  Culturally, I wonder why it didn't catch on sooner because the Japanese are very much a fit for the sport; they don't shy away from repetition and fearlessness is engrained in bushido.  Only problem is their frames; there just aren't many over 6' in height.  Their S&C was also behind but they've largely caught up in the Internet era.

During Campmania I was going to suggest Harbaugh bring a camp to Japan, but held off because I'd expect to be laughed out of the thread.  Some of their taller guys would fit in pretty well at safety or slot if you could get them used to being the shortest guy in the locker room.

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umbig11

August 11th, 2016 at 9:45 PM ^

They will do very well in a semi-pro league. I wonder how many other college players are there? Great food and travel opportunities in the Far East.

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mgoblue0970

August 11th, 2016 at 10:29 PM ^

They will have fun no doubt... Japan is awesome.

But part of me is sad -- too much talent wasting away.  If Hoke didn't fuck up Gardner, he'd be in the NFL right now.

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micheal honcho

August 11th, 2016 at 10:46 PM ^

Really watch some of Gardners decisions without maize eyes and think about what that would look like. Vince Young 2.0 was his ceiling. That said a leader & best who rep'd M flawlessly. I'd take 5 more just like him and Harbaugh would win NCs with them. Just don't see any NFL versions of him playing now so I can't put him there.



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mgoblue0970

August 11th, 2016 at 10:57 PM ^

Devin Gardner was the #5 ranked QB in the country his senior yeah in HS.  That's QB.  Not ATH.

He endured 5 coaching changes and 2 position changes and never said a fucking word. You seriously think that didn't stunt his progress?

Young isn't in the same breath as Gardner.  Young had all the talent in the world and had an ego and attitude problem just as large.  Apples and oranges.

I never said Gardner would be a NFL QB but I think he should be in the NFL.  Perhaps WR.

The dude has the right stuff... if you think Hoke didn't fuck him, you're nuts!

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Kwitch22

August 11th, 2016 at 11:06 PM ^

Hoke did fuck him, but watch some of his the games he started on BTN, he made worse decisions than I remembered, so many dropped interceptions, great person, he was so talented. The coaching and his eyes let him down.

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andidklein

August 12th, 2016 at 8:10 AM ^

If you ask me....and you didn't

It seems to me Gardner went downhill the minute he put on #98. Sure he had a decent game that night against ND but after that he regressed. Not saying it was wearing the number, but that seemed to be the turning point of his Michigan career.



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harmon40

August 11th, 2016 at 11:52 PM ^

Perhaps you are young and did not see Young play for Texas. For example, when he ran roughshod over us in the Rose Bowl, or when he torched USC in the Rose Bowl the year after.

As I recall, Young had Gardner's height and Denard's speed. Had 200 Rush yds/200 pass yards against us. Not a good pro QB, but dominated at the college level

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micheal honcho

August 12th, 2016 at 12:58 AM ^

No question Hoke hosed the kid. Devin should have been playing for RR. I think his combination of skills would have been perfect for RR's offense. If Hoke had recruited QB's behind him he probably would have been an NFL WR. As a QB I never saw NFL but that's just me.



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maize-blue

August 12th, 2016 at 9:18 AM ^

I think it's possible the best outcome for all during those years would have been for Denard to immediately move to RB, Devin to WR and Tate would have been the QB. That would have been awesome to see for 2-3 years. The NFL worked out for Denard but if Devin had some years to learn the WR position better he may have made it. I agree that the NFL may have been a long shot for DG at QB, regardless of what system or coach he had.

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Tokyo Blue

August 12th, 2016 at 2:42 AM ^

Sounds like they're open minded, and open to adventure. Good for them. When I lived in Tokyo a friend a mine hooked me up with a gig volunteering for the NFL preseason game held every year (not sure if they still do it). I was on the balloon crew for the halftime show for about four years. One funny memory I have was holding down a huge unruly Elvis balloon full of helium. He was dancing to Jailhouse Rock and flinging us around like rag dolls. I met some famous players. People who stand out were Joe Montana who acted like a jerk, and Steve Young who could not have been cooler. Concerning Joe, I know we all have bad days but it's the only time I met him and he wasn't a nice guy. Sorry for the semi hijack of the thread.

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Mgodiscgolfer

August 12th, 2016 at 7:04 AM ^

I believe this was posted before but I am not absolutely positive I read about this at least a couple days ago somewhere. I thought it was here but at my age who knows I could be totally wrong. but I'm a dancing fool. I could be totally wrong, but I'm a dancing fool, Sorry... had to get on my Frank Zappa.

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MLG2908

August 12th, 2016 at 7:10 AM ^

According to Wikipedia:

"Americans are often recruited to play for X League (founded as Japan American Football League) teams, with a strict rule of four per team. No more than two foreign players per team are allowed on the field of play at a time."

So it appears if Gardner and Gallon are on the field all the other players for their team will be Japanese.

I found another article that suggests something about the quality of play and lifestyle of the players in this league in an article about Demetrius Eaton, a former Northwestern linebacker.

http://www.americanfootballinternational.com/meech-eaton-is-enjoying-li…

Gardner and Gallon are great representatives for Michigan.  I too wish them the best.

 

 

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MLG2908

August 12th, 2016 at 7:48 AM ^

http://www.sagamihara-rise.com/rise_staff/

The link above is to the roster for the team in Japan including Gardner and Gallon.

Some interesting facts:

Gallon (#13) listed at 173 centimeters (5'8") and 83 kilograms (186 pounds) is taller than several players on the team.  The shortest is a running back listed at 160 centimeters (5'3") and 62 kilograms (137 pounds).

Gardner (#98) is listed at 193 centimeters (6'4") and 98 kilograms (215 pounds).

Gardner's offensive linemen on his new team average 6 feet tall and 256 lbs.

The only other quarterback on the roster is 175 cm (5'9") tall and 78 kilograms (172 pounds).

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