Vicious Vic is transferring

Submitted by hurt36 on
Per his Twitter. Make a move Jimmy! (Vic Viramontes was once a commit, for those who may not remember)

Rabbit21

June 14th, 2017 at 10:21 AM ^

Based on a very light reading of the circumstances behind the transfer and his decommitment, I think he really wants to play Quarterback and is trying to find a place where he can get that opportunity.  There are a ton of options for him on that route, from Mountain West schools to JuCo's, so if he wants to play QB might as well give it a shot elsewhere.

Pepto Bismol

June 14th, 2017 at 10:32 AM ^

Cal's defense was a poop sandwich last year.  If he were open to playing defense, Cal's got opportunities.

This sounds more like a Kingston Davis situation.  Kingston wanted to play RB.  Insisted he was a RB.  Everybody told him he's a FB.  Michigan said they'll give him a shot at RB.  Then he got passed by 6 guys on the depth chart and the coaching staff said, "Fullback?"  And he transferred to go be the RB he wants to be.

My guess is Viramontes insists he's a QB.  Cal staff gave him the friendly "If you want to play, let's try another position" talk, and he bolted.

 

corundum

June 14th, 2017 at 9:26 AM ^

I doubt Michigan looks to pick him back up. Our LB corps are young and full of diverse talent, furthermore Ross, Wroblewski, and Bush are all capable MLBs, where Viramontes projects. Seems like he was third or fourth on the QB depth chart at Cal, and we already have an incoming QB project in Milton. It would be awesome if he was interested in coming in as a FB, but his transfer coincides with Wilcox implementing a more pro style offense than the spread and shred Dykes was running. I think he will transfer to a smaller west coast school and hope for an easier path to QB playing time.

mGrowOld

June 14th, 2017 at 9:38 AM ^

Ahhhh yes.  The enternal quest to recapture what once was.  I can only think of one example of a recruit we thought we had who went somewhere else and then subsequently transferred back (OL I believe) yet everytime this happens we pine whistfully and remember back to an unrequited love.

Image result for don quixote animated gif

ak47

June 14th, 2017 at 9:39 AM ^

Beyond his name I never got why this site was so enamored with him.  He doesn't project as an elite talent anywhere on the football field and would likely be buried on the depth chart just like he was at cal.

HimJarbaugh

June 14th, 2017 at 9:54 AM ^

Yep. These facts tend to be lost in all the contrarianism here. There is talent for a number of different positions and anytime somebody points out how stacked we are at any position, I can't help but think of how we felt that way about the OL after 2012 & 2013 recruiting, yet Mason Cole stepped right in as a freshman in 2014 and Newsome the year after.

ak47

June 14th, 2017 at 11:15 AM ^

6"2 240 with a 4.7 40 isn't elite, its good but also is the same time Gedeon ran, who had trouble covering guys in space.  He also ran that 4.7 40 when we was a 220 lb high school senior.  That chances that he still runs a 4.7 after adding 20 pounds are pretty slim.  His hello post scouting report reads like whats what of things people say about not elitely athletic white people as two of his pros were competeviness and toughness which sound great and usually end up describing a guy who isn't that good.

He's also transferring after cal hired a defensive oriented coach after being buried on the qb depth chart after picking cal partly because he wanted the chance to be qb.  He probably isn't looking for a defensive switch.

Sione's Flow

June 14th, 2017 at 9:51 AM ^

I think his all around athletic ability is why people were so disappointed with his decommitment. Also consider Jordan Kovacs wouldn't be considered "elite" either but he was a damn good football player.

Magnus

June 14th, 2017 at 9:56 AM ^

One thing being overlooked in some of these comments, too, is that Viramontes was a high school quarterback. Personally, I'm a fan of high school quarterbacks, because that means they (usually) understand leadership, and they're smart. So if he has to move to FB, LB, TE, or whatever, he's likely to grasp it a little bit quicker and with more depth.

Rasmus

June 14th, 2017 at 10:14 AM ^

Also seems to have stayed at QB at Cal while redshirting last year. Still listed as a QB as of May 24 depth chart.

Guess would be that Wilcox wants to move him to defense.

Have to wonder if expecting to play QB was a factor in choosing Cal in the first place.

sarto1g

June 14th, 2017 at 10:13 AM ^

This guy exemplifies moxie and grit.  A real gym rat.  Very scrappy and sneaky athletic to boot.  Kind of a "take your lunch pail and go to work" type of player

Alumnus93

June 14th, 2017 at 10:18 AM ^

I remembered Harbaugh wanted him for a running QB....  not as a LB or FB.  Anyone know for certain ?

Toasted Yosties

June 14th, 2017 at 10:22 AM ^

Obviously if Harbaugh wants this guy, let's get him. But I'm concerned he was just a monster in the gym. Now we have one less year to work with him. Did he leave because the QB track wasn't working out? I really wanted him before but I believe he never got a letter to sign from Michigan. I'd take our chances with someone else, though I like the idea of having a guy named Vicious Vic in the secondary.

Craptain Crunch

June 14th, 2017 at 10:22 AM ^

It is why he didn't come to Michigan and why he's leaving Cal after not being able to prove he can be one there. Logic suggests he will move to a school that needs a QB. He's not coming to Michigan unless he realizes his talents will be suited at a position OTHER than at the QB position

The Krusty Kra…

June 14th, 2017 at 10:42 AM ^

No room at the inn. He wants to play quarterback, he's going elsewhere. Even if he did want to play LB, he probably would slot behind some of the guys in last year's cycle and this year's cycle. I too did not understand why people hyped him up like he had the potential to be the second coming of Erick Anderson. 

1VaBlue1

June 14th, 2017 at 10:47 AM ^

Yes, Harbaugh wanted him last year, but the program has moved on.  He has no place as a QB at Michigan - even Malzone would be ahead of him on that depth chart, fer crissakes!  Linebacker?  Who's he going to replace - McCray, Wroblewski, Ross, Singletary, Jordan, Hudson, or Matellus?  Oh wait, he has to sit out a year and then catch up to those guys in understanding Don Brown's defense, then would actually have to outplay their experience to get on the field next year.

All that from a guy who couldn't see the field while picking splinters out of his ass from his seat on the bench at Cal.

I hope things work out for him, but that won't happen here unless he's content to be a special teams depth player.

corundum

June 14th, 2017 at 10:53 AM ^

Agree that we've moved on but your post is loaded with inaccuracies. Vic would have to sit out a year so McCray would be graduated by the time of eligibility. Malzone will have also graduated and transferred in that time span. Hudson and Metellus are either vipers or strong safeties, so a 6'1" 240 lb thundertrucking LB will have absolutely no overlap there. Cal is transitioning from an air raid spread to a pro style attack as Justin Wilcox is their new HC, so transferring due to offensive philosophy makes sense. Not many project type QBs see playing time as a true freshman, so riding the bench last year shouldn't concern anyone.

Don

June 14th, 2017 at 10:51 AM ^

But I thought at the time of his recruitment and still do today that he was a natural QB for an offensive-minded coach out in Tucson.

I don't know what the QB situation is at AZ right now, and even if he did transfer there he'd have to wait a year so it probably won't happen, but given what's on this HUDL highlight tape, I see a guy who would work very well within RR's offense.

http://www.hudl.com/profile/4042376/victor-viramontes