Don't write Feagin off

Submitted by StevieY19 on

We've seen a pretty wide range of predictions for Justin Feagin's success at Michigan.  Everything from early season starter to future defensive back. 

I have to say that I love what I have heard from Feagin since he chose Michigan.  Mainly with his quotes about Pryor and speaking out in response to criticism of his arm. He seems like a hell of a competitor with a chip on his shoulder.

This may not be the best comparison, as Feagin's film isn't as "OMG Shirtless"-y as Mr. Hart's was, but he reminds me of Mike Hart coming from high school to UM. Some people couldn't wait for the kid to get on campus and others saw him as a defensive back.  I'm not saying Feagin will put the program on his back or anything, but I can't wait until he starts battling in practice this August.

littlebrownjug

July 22nd, 2008 at 8:56 AM ^

He has what our other QBs (as of now) do not have, which is the ability to win with his legs. That should make it easier for him to transition, and if Rich Rod only works with a few basic plays out of multiple formations, then it might work out okay. I am still surprised that Carlos Brown or Junior Hemingway have not gotten any looks, because it would allow Michigan to get more great athletes on the field.

Ninja Football

July 22nd, 2008 at 9:22 AM ^

All of the freshman were enrolled in summer school this year, which is something new under Rod. In addition, the entire team has been participating in summer workouts per the "neither is your playing time" (mandatory) hints. So yes, the freshmen are all on campus.

chitownblue (not verified)

July 22nd, 2008 at 11:38 AM ^

FWIW, I read that Feagin had been given a small package of plays (10-15) that the staff wanted him to be familiar with by the time he showed up on campus. So, I think it's extremely likely that we get a "Feagin series" each game. That said, remember that we're talking about a two-star recruit (he got his 3rd the day after Michigan offered him).

hat

July 22nd, 2008 at 7:33 PM ^

I don't think it's a new development for freshman to spend the summer here. They may not have enrolled in summer school under Carr, but they were normally on campus all the same. Also, summer workouts have been semi-mandatory for the whole team forever.

PinballPete

July 22nd, 2008 at 10:16 PM ^

in southern Florida. That's quite an honor considering all the talent that comes out of that area.

He also seems to fit the mold of Pat White physically, although looking at his tape he seems to be a much better passer at this point.

White still hasn't found his niche in the pocket while Feagin looked comfortable throwing in the pocket and on the run. After comparing his tape to Beaver's and Newsome's I'd have to say that I'm happy he is the one on campus this fall.

Ninja Football

July 23rd, 2008 at 5:21 AM ^

Hat, Would you care to define "semi-mandatory" for me? Something being "encouraged" and being "mandatory" aren't the same thing. While some of the freshman have been here in the past, not all were on campus working out in drills or going through the S&C program starting in June. With the exception of a few excused absences here and there, attendance at summer workouts has been 100%.

hat

July 23rd, 2008 at 6:51 PM ^

"Semi-mandatory" = mandatory in all but name. As far as I know, the vast majority of our players (freshmen included) spent the summers here under Carr. College football has been a 12-month sport for a long time, probably since Bo was here.

chitownblue (not verified)

July 23rd, 2008 at 8:00 PM ^

Ninja - I'm sure his tape is awesome. I just don't make an attempt to evaluate a kid based off a highlight reel because, by definition, it's the best things he's done. If you only saw the part of my softball game last night where I hit a dong and had a diving catch in center, and missed the part where I over-pursued a fly to see it fly over my head, you'd think I was the best softball player ever.

StevieY19

July 23rd, 2008 at 8:49 PM ^

But at the same time, as Pinball (wizard) Pete was saying, Feagin was awarded the top player in South Florida.  I don't think that was based on his tape,  Also, these plays on his film were against some top talent in Florida, as I'm fairly sure he played in one of the higher divisions.  The kid has talent, combined with a competitive spirit...what I'm trying to say is: get on the band-feagin.

chitownblue (not verified)

July 23rd, 2008 at 9:53 PM ^

Look, Feagin seems like a good kid. He's mobile, and we don't have any other mobile QB's. But the kid is here because we were the only major program to offer him as a QB. We offered him because we didnt' want to put all our eggs in Pryor's basket, Nickson committed elsewhere, and BJ Daniels told us to take a walk. If any of those three had come, Feagin would be playing Safety somewhere, or he'd be D-IAA.

StevieY19

July 24th, 2008 at 2:58 AM ^

To be fair, Rodriguez didn't have a lot of time to find a mobile qb in this class.  From what I heard/read, it was UM that cooled off on Daniels and not the other way around. 

 Anyway, this is what I'm saying...Hart was doubted by plenty of die-hard, intelligent UM fans, and I think the same will be true for Feagin.  I'm just saying that I think he has potential to be good, or even great as a qb in the spread. 

Michael

July 23rd, 2008 at 10:24 PM ^

You know, Pat White was destined as a safety until WVU offered him at QB and that seemed to turn out all right for their program. Now, I'm not predicting a Pat White-like performance from him, but it's not like RR is coming from left field on this one.

chitownblue (not verified)

July 23rd, 2008 at 11:03 PM ^

Argument by anecdote is worthless. Everytime a high school QB goes to college as a Safety, teams are not passing up the next Pat White. Pat White was an extremely rare exception to an overwhelmingly large rule.

chitownblue (not verified)

July 24th, 2008 at 8:27 AM ^

StevieY - your first sentence is, in my opinion, exactly, 100%, correct. RR was running out of options. Actually, he HAD run out of options - it was Feagin or nobody (there was the Trotwood Madison kid who visited but ended up going D-II). I'm not debating that Feagin "has a chance to be good" - of course he does. There are numerous low-rated prospects who succeed. That said, the recruit ratings are, generally, fairly decent at predicted success. And they say Feagin will be mediocre.

Ninja Football

July 24th, 2008 at 8:50 AM ^

My only point Chi was that I had completely written the kid off as a place holder and nothing more. Never bothered to watch anything on him until two weeks ago, and he was bigger and faster than I expected. Word has it he has a package of 15-20 plays they've had him focusing on throughout the summer, so I'm expecting us to run the Cap One bowl pro-style spread most of the time with the occassional Feagin cameo. Threet can make all of those passes, and our D is going to be INSANE good. I trhink a lot of people will be shocked at how good we end up being.

chitownblue (not verified)

July 24th, 2008 at 9:03 AM ^

Ninja - agreed. I really, really, really think we'll see Feagin get a series a game. I see the "is he good?" debate as a separate issue. If we had a semi-talented QB with legs, we'd never see Feagin. I think it's more than likely that Feagin's destiny is to become an organizational soldier - a career backup, or a player at a different position once Newsome/Beaver show up.

Ninja Football

July 24th, 2008 at 9:15 AM ^

Hat, I had this same conversation with a buddy a few days ago, and you're wrong about the "mandatory" issue. He diodn't think things were much different, but in the past many freshmen came in for only 3-4 weeks. A lot of the players did workout and worked hard at getting better, but you had people like Gabe Watson hiding in the back and telling jokes for two hours. Manningham, Henne, Pierre Woods, Watson, non of those guys were going through "mandatory in name only" workouts. I mean, did you ever see Watson? You honestly think that kid ran a lot when he didn't have to? And Manningham took plays off during games. You think he's busting his ass like he would be under Barwis? So your statement "Also, summer workouts have been semi-mandatory for the whole team forever." may be vaguely correct. Players were expected to workout, but not on the level they are now, and not the entire team. Like i said before, with the exception of a few excused absences here and there, attendance at summer workouts has been 100% this year. It's going to show on the field, and it's going to have people thinking "what if" about a lot of Carr's teams.

hat

July 24th, 2008 at 11:17 AM ^

Oh, I don't doubt that they're working out a lot harder now than they were under Gittleson.  It seems pretty clear that we were taking on too much of a country-club atmosphere the last few years under Carr.  I just don't think it's a huge deal that Feagan is here early.  He probably would have learned as much of the offense by now under a different coach.  (I imagine that S&C coaches all over just conveniently "find" playbooks to give their players to read during the summer.)

I will say that it's not really fair (to whomever it was that said it) to say that Feagan is "really a two-star".  Every year there are guys like him all over the country who get their rankings bumped after a bigname school offers them.  If you downgrade him, you have to do the same for a whole of other recruits on other teams.