Michigan Interested in Tom Savage

Submitted by Tim on

(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.

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Tater

January 23rd, 2011 at 8:42 PM ^

I don't know who you have been watching, but five-star QB's don't sign with the intention of redshirting, sitting, and then starting in two years anymore.  RR was lucky to get Devin becuase Denard hadn't shown his astounding progress before Devin signed, but neither QB is fooling any recruit now.  Any HS QB who looks at the situation knows that he will be sitting behind a couple of really good QB's. 

Also, there's no fiat or decree that says a five-star has to sign with Michigan next year just because Michigan offers him.  You have to get who you can whenever you can.  If the staff thinks a kid is good enough to play here, they have to offer him.  I never want to see Michigan get stuck with a "Threetidan" scenario again. 

I'm pretty sure the coaching staff doesn't want to see that scenario, either.  Besides, coaches know that you have to have at least three guys who can run your offense because the third-string guy is just one really bad day away from being forced into action.  I can't imagine them not taking someone this year if they can get anyone good enough to play at Michigan.

Joined: 08/13/2008

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Amaizeinblue

January 24th, 2011 at 10:21 AM ^

I'm going to play devils advocate here and use USC as an example against this. They always have a ton of QB's on scholarship and take this years class they have two 4* recruits at that position. Playing QB as a true freshman is not very common unless you're in a situation like Michigan was with Tate and Denard in 2009. Most of these guys know their chance won't come for at least 2 years and thats the risk you take by going to a school, it's not like they aren't getting anything out of it, they still get a good free education. You just have to compete and be better than your competition is. If someone has that kind of mentality that "oh so and so is there already I'll never play with that guy infront of me on the depth chart" then I don't want them anyways.

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MichiganStudent

January 23rd, 2011 at 8:00 PM ^

This would be a good pick-up. I just don't see him ever starting, which is not what he wants (I assume). 

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JimLahey

January 23rd, 2011 at 9:07 PM ^

I would prefer to wait so that the staff can scout out a QB in the next class that they really like and fits what they are looking for. The QB's that get Michigan offers will be a very telling sign as to what type of offense Hoke intends to install.

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mgoblue5175

January 23rd, 2011 at 10:11 PM ^

Couldn't he "walk on" this year and not take up a scholarship for this recruiting class but take one up next year. Plus he has some experience in the pro style offense which might help Denard and Devin as a group.

Joined: 01/23/2011

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Don

January 24th, 2011 at 9:50 AM ^

Since DG has hardly played at all in a Michigan uniform, your assertion is only logically based on what you've seen out of Gardner against high school players.

Good lord.

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