Interesting interview on Speight and reason for transfer
Brad Galli with a nice piece over on ABC on why Speight decided to transfer. Although Speight denies any hard feelings towards the staff, he does seem a little slighted by the fact that he was splitting reps with the other QB's in spring practice.
“There are certain things that are maybe hard to put into words. I have always been in quarterback competitions. At the bus last year, Coach Harbaugh said I’m gonna be a top quarterback in all of college football this season. Then the first spring practice happened and I was splitting reps,”
Interesting take and look into the program. Apparently a meritocracy indeed. Video in link.
LINK: http://www.wxyz.com/sports/speight-speaks-out-on-decision-to-leave-mich…
November 28th, 2017 at 1:48 AM ^
It worked for Bo at one time, but the words have never been so hollow as they are now.
Life champions are regularly mocked around here.
November 28th, 2017 at 7:00 AM ^
I think 2003 is the last BIG10 Championship. I am just as much a fan as anyone but "those who stay will be Champions" doesnt work right now. Stop living in the past, the past is complete.
oops, yes, over 10 years, missed that, my bad.
November 28th, 2017 at 1:23 PM ^
2004 we split with Iowa. That was our last big ten championship.
November 27th, 2017 at 10:27 PM ^
got to earn it baby !
November 27th, 2017 at 10:21 PM ^
If you read the whole article, it's clear that Speight isn't afraid of competition, but he also can read the writing on the wall and (rightfully) figures that if it's close with Peters, the team should focus its energy on getting the younger guy ready to lead the team for the next couple of years. I know some people would love to paint this as a quitter who can't handle the pressure, but this is a business decision as much as any Harbaugh and co. will make. I don't blame Speight one bit for wanting to find a place where he'll get a chance to start, and wish him luck.
November 27th, 2017 at 10:33 PM ^
November 28th, 2017 at 1:27 AM ^
November 28th, 2017 at 10:16 AM ^
I assume he looked at the roster and can do the math. And he's no idiot; even if he's 10% better than Peters, Harbaugh is going to stick with a guy who is younger and will be around. So I don't blame him for not wanting to waste his last year fighting for his spot again, against guys he's beaten already, with a stacked deck.
November 28th, 2017 at 1:23 AM ^
November 28th, 2017 at 4:01 AM ^
November 28th, 2017 at 10:19 AM ^
Jake Rudock left Iowa because it was made clear he wouldn't get a shot to start. He then went to Michigan, won the spot, got drafted, and is a legit backup and will probably get a shot somewhere. So it's not proof of weakness to be smart.
December 5th, 2017 at 1:57 PM ^
That's your opinion, which you are entitled to.
By his actions, we know that Speight disagrees.
I understand his decision and think I might do the same if I were in his shoes.
November 27th, 2017 at 11:19 PM ^
November 27th, 2017 at 11:42 PM ^
November 28th, 2017 at 1:15 AM ^
November 28th, 2017 at 1:23 AM ^
November 28th, 2017 at 1:46 AM ^
November 28th, 2017 at 1:48 AM ^
November 28th, 2017 at 6:29 AM ^
November 28th, 2017 at 8:51 AM ^
I am not sure it was a BS competition. JOK probably knows the playbook and throws as well, but he just breaks down in game. Maybe the coaches thought he was as good as Speight and just needed the light to click on while in game. (Like the second half of Purdue.)
Also, maybe they did it because Speight didn't push himself heading into spring and he had fallen off since last year.
Maybe the coaches always split all reps in spring/camp as a matter of meritocricy.
Was Speight looking bad earlier this year because he had to split snaps in spring practice or because he was resting on his laurels? Keep in mind that QBs can work with WRs whenever they want....
November 28th, 2017 at 10:28 AM ^
November 28th, 2017 at 10:31 AM ^
November 28th, 2017 at 6:31 AM ^
November 28th, 2017 at 6:51 AM ^
Good luck Wilton! Thanks, I wish you success but let's move on.
November 28th, 2017 at 10:39 AM ^
for the future. Whether Speight is taking off because of some feelings of being slighted for splitting reps. is kind of irrelevent. The fact is he doesn't see himself as a clear starter because of Peter's success and DMcaf sitting on the sidelines. This should inspire our fanbase to look ahead. Speight wasnt a bad QB overall, especially in 2016 and he, himself doesn't think he's the best QB on the team. I for one am really excited to see what we've got leading this team going into next season with the DMcaf and Peters QB competition. I'm already planning my trip to Columbus to see us beat them in their own house!
Go Blue!!
November 28th, 2017 at 9:08 AM ^
It's an honest answer. He wasn't recruited to play for Harbaugh, he was inherited, and he didn't sign up for Harbaugh's somewhat brutal culture of competition. I tend to think that kind of atmosphere that Harbaugh (and Spurrier and Bill Walsh before him, they knew a little something about quarterbacks) creates is right, but I can see why a guy wouldn't like it.
I'd rather have a culture where a pretty good player transfers because he doesn't feel appreciated fully than have a culture with blind loyalty to the concept of SENIORS regardless of whether they're the best player at the position. That can create a culture of entitlement that's not good long term.
November 29th, 2017 at 12:11 AM ^
I'm surprised by all the varying interpretations on this. Harbaugh wants Speight back because at worst he is a solid 3rd string option. Harbaugh found out this year the cost of not enough QB talent on hand. Right now Peters is the guy. McCaffrey and Speight would be in a competition next year with Peters. Speight cites previous competitions to prove he is not afraid of them but this is not the first time in his Michigan career he considered transfering either.
Is there a difference in not being afraid of competition and avoiding a competition you know you will almost asuredly lose? No. Speight stays if he fears no competition. But Speight is a smart guy making a business decision. His goal is the NFL and he knows he needs a competition that he will win. Michigan is not that competition. Harbaugh makes no guarantees...except that one time in '86.
He seemed to have a touch of entitlement assuming he was done competing for the starting QB job. Harbaugh was trying to keep his confidence boosted but Speight took it as the job was already his.
What bugs me is, if he is focusing on finding a new team in the next 3-4 weeks does that mean he is quiting on the team before the bowl game? If he is not healthy enough to play then I agree with his decision. If he is cleared to play then how can he bail on his team just because he probably won't start/play? The team, the team...the transfer.
Much like Shane Morris this season, I look forward to cheering on Wilton at his new school of choice in 2018.