Pure speculation: Grad transfer Taysom Hill would be... pretty good.

Submitted by LSA Superstar on

No insider info at all.  But let me make the pitch:

Hill was a true senior this year, and injured himself in his first game.  He also suffered a season-ending injury the year prior, but was not eligible for a medical redshirt as the injury occurred in his fifth game (against USU, as I recall).  This will make him eligible for a medical redshirt this year.  He is set to graduate.

Our team is really well-positioned for next year in terms of experienced and depth.  We lose only Glasgow, Rudock, and the linebackers.  We have promising replacements lined up for all but Rudock, because whatever QB starts next would be nothing more than a lottery ticket at the most important position on the field.  Also:  look at MSU and OSU's depth charts by year.  If we had a very capable quarterback, we'd be in contention to win our division and the league.

Hill is an accomplished passer and exceptional runner.  He has tremendous injury problems, true, but it's not like the cupboard would be bare were he to go down again - we'd just be back where we started and turn to O'Korn, a RFr., or Morris (I guess).  And Hill wouldn't need to carry as much of the load here, especially on the ground, making him more likely to stay healthy.

Finally, we know (1) he committed to Harbaugh at one point, and (2) he stays in contact with him.

Thoughts?

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alum96

September 20th, 2015 at 9:27 PM ^

Everyone seems to forget O'Korns struggles as a SO and only focus on his Fr year. Just like they said rudock was held back by the sucky Iowa OC rather than maybe the OC knowing what rudock was and crafting a boring as shit offense around his limited skill set.

Look I am rooting for O'Korn if only because he is the only guy on next year's roster with any meaningful experience but in thread after thread everyone annoits the guy as if his SO season never happened and he didnt regress dramatically.  He is no sure thing.

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Gentleman Squirrels

September 20th, 2015 at 9:43 PM ^

I think everyone is viewing his freshman season because that's how good O'Korn can be. With a great QB coach like Harbaugh, O'Korn has the potential to be great. Just look at Hackenberg. He played awfully his sophomore year, but the promise he showed his freshman year is enough that people know with proper coaching he can be great and the NFL is keeping an eye on him. Same thing with O'Korn at Michigan.

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1WhoStayed

September 20th, 2015 at 9:33 PM ^

Firstly, O'Korn and Morris both have game experience. And both will have a full year learning the offense. As will Malzone and Gentry and Speight. And Rudock hasn't worked out so well. I don't want to be hearing "give him time, he's still learning our offense" again next year! Focus on what we already have and make a Big Ten QB out of O'Korn, Malzone, Morris, Gentry or whomever. If JH and staff can't make a good+ QB out of one f these guys we have bigger issues! I also worry about the recruiting impact of "free agency" if we make this a habit. And player morale in general. It can be a sensitive dynamic.

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Cro-magnon

September 20th, 2015 at 6:46 PM ^

Good thought but I don't give it much stock. I think M is going to fill up their scholarship allotment on HS kids, and don't see much room for grad transfers. The Harbaugh angle is intriguing. It's refreshing that in one year, Harbaugh has boosted the QB position to such an extent, a grad transfer QG is an unnecessary luxury.

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gord

September 20th, 2015 at 6:47 PM ^

He's married and would be 26 if the took the field for us.  I don't see what is in it for him and his wife to move across the country for one season.

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LSAClassOf2000

September 20th, 2015 at 7:02 PM ^

Speculation aside - I personally don't see this happening, what the OP mentions  - the family angle is a rather compelling reason to stay closer to home if possible, especially because it would be a temporary move for him more than likely. I had forgotten that he has a family honestly. 

Granted, the article at Vanquish The Foe notes that he would have a seriously upgraded opportunity academically up to and including his MBA, but I don't know that I see us as the most likely place if he decided to transfer. 

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BlueCube

September 20th, 2015 at 6:57 PM ^

Maybe before Harbaugh was hired by Michigan but I doubt it would go over well if Harbaugh is still in contact with him now.

Plus we have this guy named O'Korn and Gentry, Morris, Malzone and others who will be competing. Unless Harbaugh is really concerned, I can't see him going for a grad transfer at quarterback.

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Wolverine Devotee

September 20th, 2015 at 7:11 PM ^

 

Debilitated to the point he couldn't walk for weeks and inspired by a 45-minute phone conversation with current Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, who once recruited him to Stanford, Hill, a finance major at BYU's Marriott School of Management, threw himself into his studies and landed an internship at a venture capital firm that specializes in funding early-stage technology companies before they go public or even generate revenue and — hopefully — deliver a massive return on investment.

 

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YoOoBoMoLloRoHo

September 20th, 2015 at 7:16 PM ^

O'Korn's to lose. Gentry and Peters might press him. Then it's down to those two for the starting role. Hill is going to work for a venture capital firm in January. Might make more than the NFL minimum.

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MotownGoBlue

September 20th, 2015 at 7:23 PM ^

We are full. I haven't seen Peters mentioned (unless I missed it) but he most likely redshirts unless he's clearly the best of the group. And Malzone, and Viramontes, and the list goes on and on...

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MainStreetMagic

September 20th, 2015 at 7:31 PM ^

If the guy wants to play, and is healthy enough to play, I don't think there is a huge downside to this other than the fact that it would almost certainly lead to a transfer by someone else on the roster.  O'Korn looks like he could be the real deal, but I don't think he would have quite the upside of a healthy Taysom Hill, and if it makes the team better I say do it.

But, this has about a .02% chance of happening for the reasons listed above, so probably not worth the discussion at this point. 

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doggdetroit

September 20th, 2015 at 7:40 PM ^

Generally, I think there is an understanding between a grad transfer QB and the accepting team that the grad transfer QB will start. Adams to Oregon, Golson to FSU, Rudock to Michigan, Lambert to Georgia. All of these guys left their respective schools for virtually guaranteed starting jobs at  other schools.  I don't think that will be the case at Michigan next year. Hill would be looking at competing with three guys (O'Korn, Morris, Gentry) with one year in the Harbaugh system. Even if Gentry is not a legit option next year, Hill would still be facing off with two veteran QBs.

The Harbaugh connection is interesting but If Hill wants a guaranteed starting job, there will be better options out there.

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BlueGoM

September 20th, 2015 at 8:06 PM ^

"really well-positioned for next year in terms of experienced and depth."

Uh except most of the offensive line?  Only starter returning will be Mason Cole.

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bacon

September 20th, 2015 at 8:12 PM ^

I think if he's interested and harbaugh has a spot, it will happen. The article mentions the potential for a position switch. I'm sure harbaugh wouldn't guarantee him anything except the chance to compete for the job. Sounds like the kind of guy who'd be up for the challenge.

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Cormac

September 20th, 2015 at 9:00 PM ^

No thanks. Michigan's current experiment with a grad transfer isn't going all that well. I'm not in favor of another "one and done" player. What kind of message would that send to the QBs already at Michigan if Harbaugh went out and got another "mercenary" player?

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