OTish: OSU (ntosu) QB DJ Uiagalelei to the portal
November 30th, 2023 at 2:29 PM ^
No thank you no thank you, and again I say: No THANK YOU!
Cyrano DeHarbaughshack
November 30th, 2023 at 2:47 PM ^
I'm not sure we'll be interested in a high-end QB in the portal next year. If JJ doesn't come back (and I only think that happens if we win the national title - job done, go to the pros) we still have
- Davis Warren
- Jayden Denegal
- Alex Orji
- Jadyn Davis
Possible we'll take another Tuttle type but if we take a top tier starter, we're probably losing a one or more of these guys above and pissing off Jadyn Davis who we told we wouldn't take another recruit in his class. The staff has been decently high on Denegal and Orji, Warren is your solid B level starter/backup and Davis is your hotshot freshman who could take the job away from the starter.
November 30th, 2023 at 2:50 PM ^
"...decently high on..."
I mean, Orji isn't allowed to pass. Every single play he runs is a QB keep. Every. Single. Play. Soo...
November 30th, 2023 at 3:03 PM ^
I think they're high on him as part of the offense but I agree it may not be as a passer. But you see him with the ball in his hand and he's a physical mismatch against most defenders trying to bring him down. Jalen Milroe is a much higher-end guy but I could see Michigan hoping you can turn him into that type of QB. Not saying it'll happen but he has P5-level talent and so I get the optimism.
As for Denegal he seemingly has earned the #2/#3 spot over a couple of other guys and looks like basically his recruiting profile - potential solid upperclassman starter/bridge guy between McCarthy and Davis/other highly-regarded recruit.
November 30th, 2023 at 4:11 PM ^
He can execute all the pepcat plays we’ve been saving!
November 30th, 2023 at 4:16 PM ^
I like that QB room. All different kinds of players. Some high-floor glue guys with solid arms. Some high-potential threats with gobs of athleticism. Whenever JJ leaves the QB battle will be entertaining. The winner of that competition is going to be battle-tested.
November 30th, 2023 at 4:21 PM ^
Right. Michigan did something similar with Dan Villari...and now he's playing TE and Wildcat QB at Syracuse. In fact, if you look at the history of running QBs under Harbaugh at Michigan, it's not a great one. The guys brought in to run (Milton, McCaffrey, Villari, etc.) have not really continued on to be starting QBs at Michigan.
NOTE: I do not include McCarthy from 2021, because he was clearly being developed as the heir to McNamara and had more than twice as many passing attempts as he did rush attempts.
November 30th, 2023 at 2:52 PM ^
Does anyone know what's up with Warren this year? He's about the only QB we haven't seen play. Was he injured?
November 30th, 2023 at 2:58 PM ^
Warren has been injured -- believe he got hurt in the Nebraska game. He was #2 heading into season and would have to be up there as favorite for starter with Davis assuming that 1) JJ goes pro and 2) UM does not pursue high-level grad transfer
November 30th, 2023 at 2:52 PM ^
Maybe we can get Cade to transfer back for one moar year?
November 30th, 2023 at 2:56 PM ^
I think if you have a chance to get an established grad transfer who can come in and be a bridge, you take it and if anyone get's pissed off, so be it. We'll need the depth and experience in the QB room.
November 30th, 2023 at 3:02 PM ^
None of those guys are ready to win the game, I’ve grown accustomed to this team winning the game, they should go get a guy out of the portal who can win the game.
November 30th, 2023 at 3:22 PM ^
Agree--I prefer guys who can win The Game
November 30th, 2023 at 3:08 PM ^
Uh, what? Warren has looked really bad in the times he has played this year. Donegal is just a guy. Orgi probably should be a Taysom Hill-type player, not a full time P5 QB. Davis is a true freshman.
November 30th, 2023 at 6:43 PM ^
I'm with you. I'm a spoiled baby now.
Michigan has won 30 straight regular season games I dont see anyone on our roster that can continue that.
We should be able to land whoever we want especially considering our NIL is for established players???
Yes, Davis is probably the future but that's not next yr.
November 30th, 2023 at 3:20 PM ^
The caliber of QBs in the portal is not awesome, other than possibly the K-State guy. If JJ doesn't come back (and his B1G Today interview yesterday, in which he kind of dodged the question around the 7:00 mark, suggests he might not), we're kinda stuck. Perhaps Jadyn enrolls early and we just try to roll with him?
November 30th, 2023 at 3:26 PM ^
Right now. More guys can join up in the next few months. Where in the video does he address the question?
Dante Moore just entered the portal.
November 30th, 2023 at 3:38 PM ^
Dante Moore just entered the portal.
Lolololoollll the merry go round continues
November 30th, 2023 at 3:28 PM ^
I GUARANTEE you that M will either go with a returning JJ or a high-level transfer. They're not throwing one of the current backups up there and hoping for the best.
November 30th, 2023 at 3:33 PM ^
Highly doubt JJ is coming back. Not sure why so many think he is.
November 30th, 2023 at 4:39 PM ^
Agreed. He has a first round draft grade, and the offense is going to look very different from a personnel standpoint with all the guys that will run out of eligibility or go pro. I see very little reason for JJ to return.
Even if they don't go all the way this season, I'm not sure enough guys who could return will again. I expect we'll be seeing a lot of new faces on the offense next season.
November 30th, 2023 at 2:29 PM ^
He already transfered once. Will he have immediate eligibility?
November 30th, 2023 at 2:31 PM ^
Grad transfer
November 30th, 2023 at 2:37 PM ^
I’m starting to connect the dots on why two (not one, but two 🤣) Sparty QB’s jumped in the portal recently…
November 30th, 2023 at 2:38 PM ^
One of them was a local Oregon kid who Smith didn't offer and the kid was pissed. Basically said in an interview something to the effect of, "If I wasn't good enough for you then, why do you want me now?" Can't say I blame him.
November 30th, 2023 at 3:12 PM ^
I mean the kid they took over him was rated significantly higher than he was so his statement, while true, is disingenuous.
November 30th, 2023 at 3:29 PM ^
I mean, at the end of the day, I get the hometown kid feeling slight to not even get an offer from a team in his backyard. He's a 4-star, so it's not like he was some scrub.
November 30th, 2023 at 2:44 PM ^
I think all 3 jumped in. Noah is no ah playing for MSU next season.
November 30th, 2023 at 3:06 PM ^
All 3 went to the portal. The best one (the youngest) was not recruited by Smith despite being a local boy. The other 2 are trash.
November 30th, 2023 at 3:12 PM ^
Houser could be okay with real coaching. Agree that Noah Kim is terrible.
November 30th, 2023 at 4:04 PM ^
I think three are in the portal. Aren't they?
November 30th, 2023 at 2:31 PM ^
I'm beginning to think that nobody really knows.
November 30th, 2023 at 2:30 PM ^
He seems like the type of QB that Michigan's defense eats alive.
November 30th, 2023 at 2:31 PM ^
I bet a dollar he goes to State.
November 30th, 2023 at 2:38 PM ^
Did he and Smith form that deep of a bond in the one season they were together?
November 30th, 2023 at 2:56 PM ^
2 seasons I think...
November 30th, 2023 at 3:06 PM ^
Only one year. He was at Clemson in 2022.
December 1st, 2023 at 10:45 AM ^
you were right, I was wrong, I have self-negged due to this error of memory
November 30th, 2023 at 3:15 PM ^
I will take that bet. DJU is almost certainly staying somewhere out West. The new John Smith is a good coach but its hard to believe DJU would head for a rebuild at Staee.
November 30th, 2023 at 4:28 PM ^
I bet he doesn't. He's gonna go somewhere where he can get NIL and that has weapons, not a rebuilding program
November 30th, 2023 at 2:33 PM ^
I heard it may not be likely that he follows Smith to MSU, his family was posting anti-Smith stuff on social media
November 30th, 2023 at 2:45 PM ^
It wasn't really anti-Smith. His dad said he respects Smith and he's a great coach, but shouldn't have left his team in the way he did.
That said, MSU is not the right showcase for DJU. He needs to go to a team that will make the playoffs
November 30th, 2023 at 2:52 PM ^
He'll need a ton of playmakers around him because he is not someone who elevates the play of others.
November 30th, 2023 at 2:59 PM ^
I thought he looked okay (not great) when I viewed. He was constantly under siege from the pass rush.
November 30th, 2023 at 3:17 PM ^
I thought he looked okay (not great)
You just described DJU!
November 30th, 2023 at 3:11 PM ^
He looked meh vs a real defense called Oregon. He looked worse vs Washington who doesn't play much defense.
November 30th, 2023 at 2:33 PM ^
msu is going to snag at least one qb. and I think we get one. the fit is key. not sure if riley leonard is the best for us but he and donegal and orji would be an interesting set of options if you want to spice up the run and short passing game with some pizzazz.
November 30th, 2023 at 2:43 PM ^
Riley Leonard is going to ND. Not sure who we want if JJ goes. Hopefully we wont know until after Jan. 8 when we are celebrating.