Gardner update
Im watching ESPN news and they just named Devin their ESPN RISE player of the week for his win over Stubenville. Raining praise over his ability to run and throw the ball. Good to see him getting some more national recognition and finally some good news for us this week!
October 29th, 2009 at 4:32 PM ^
... takes step away from ledge]
October 29th, 2009 at 4:37 PM ^
He absolutely tore up Stubenville. Didn't he throw for like 275yd and 4 TD's or something?
October 29th, 2009 at 4:40 PM ^
to see Devin next year. Im curious to see if he will be named to the Army All American team. I was lookin at the roster so far and noticed that they have not selected any QBs yet. I don't see how he cannot be one of them. Anyone know anything about that?? Also do you all think he will be getting a fifth star? If "everybody kills" was a 5 star then Devin should be as well when it is all said and done.
October 29th, 2009 at 4:51 PM ^
I thought Gardner had already been invited, and accepted, to play in the ESPN Under Armour All American game. Is this incorrect?
October 29th, 2009 at 5:05 PM ^
...Devin will be playing in the Under Armour game.
October 30th, 2009 at 10:45 AM ^
It would be crazy if he wasn't. He's the highest rated QB at 53 according to Rivals. With that said, is it normal to have the Top QB rated that low overall. Makes me wonder if the QB class is week this year?
October 29th, 2009 at 4:41 PM ^
Here is a blog site dedicated to the team that Gardner played in the final week with a summary of the game.
http://www.rollredroll.net/paulfirm.htm
I knew that Steubenville was a solid Ohio program, but I didn't realize that they were riding a 69 game regular season unbeaten streak. That makes that victory even more impressive, even if they are a smaller school.
October 29th, 2009 at 4:41 PM ^
I like this.
October 29th, 2009 at 4:42 PM ^
Everytime I lose sleep over Michigan Football, I think about Devin Gardner and things seem to be alright.
This kid is going to be an absolute stud, bottom line.
Everything that I've read, seen and heard tells me he is the real deal.
October 29th, 2009 at 4:45 PM ^
I'll be in attendance to see Gardner play tomorrow night, they're playing my alma mater in the opening round of the playoffs, and it's like 5 minutes away. I'm secretly going to be cheering for Inkster; I wonder if wearing M gear will tip that...
October 29th, 2009 at 4:50 PM ^
When Inskter played Muskegon Catholic Central the game was played literally 1 mile from where I live. However, I road tripped to the Iowa game that weekend.
In retrospect, I should have stayed home to see Gardner.......
October 30th, 2009 at 1:25 PM ^
I'll be there as well but my M gear will be under my black & white ;)
October 29th, 2009 at 4:51 PM ^
So if he's this good will he not be redshirting next year!? /s
Seriously though, just watching the highlights tape gave me goosebumps. He's got some work to do to avoid the Pryor curse of assuming he can beat guys in college just by stepping around them like he does in high school, but every indication seems to show that he's more than willing to learn.
October 30th, 2009 at 10:48 AM ^
Unless he really blows everyone away, I think you need to redshirt him to get some separation between him and Tate/Denard.
October 29th, 2009 at 5:00 PM ^
This kid should give Forcier a legitimate run for the starting job. I would NOT even begin to consider redshirting hem, especially with the lack of depth at QB besides Forcier. It will be hard to start over Tate, but if he leaves Inkster early, who knows? I think both players would have perrenial roles in that offense. Tate has been a little erratic this year, but over time that will improve. At least we'll have someone to follow in Tate's footsteps should he get injured again. Despite BG graduating, I'm super excited for next year to enfold!
October 29th, 2009 at 5:16 PM ^
Will depend entirely on if he can be productive vs the other option of Denard as second string QB. If he's still getting used to the game and wouldn't add much I'd hope they'd redshirt him rather than have him play some junk time against Delaware state or something. However, correct me if I'm wrong here but can't he play during the first 3 games and still be eligible for a redshirt? That'd be a great way to get a feel for his readiness - if he's obviously still working on it and doesn't provide that much then shirt him until and injury requires pulling it, if he shows that he's a major asset and can help us win games then there's absolutely no reason to 'shirt him. Only time will tell I suppose.
October 29th, 2009 at 5:18 PM ^
Has he announced definitively whether he plans to enroll early or not? It seems like I've seen conflicting reports on that question.
October 29th, 2009 at 5:57 PM ^
He is going to be enrolling early...there has been discussion of it here but I can't quite remember. BUT, I am almost positive he will enroll in January.
October 29th, 2009 at 6:04 PM ^
I know the discussion has been had, but I don't remember what the consensus was. I'm guessing he doesn't, just because I don't remember hearing any strong evidence that he is, and he's at a point now where he'd need to have a lot of stuff sorted out to graduate early from HS.
If I missed the part where someone said that's all been taken care of, then I retract my statement.
October 29th, 2009 at 7:03 PM ^
according to the recruiting board.
http://mgoblog.com/content/2010-michigan-football-recruiting-board
October 30th, 2009 at 9:01 AM ^
He has said that he "probably" would, but wasn't 100% sure.
October 29th, 2009 at 5:20 PM ^
I think that he shouldn't redshirt, and be Tate's back up next year. Also i hope Denard decides to switch position, and be a player that is basically on the field at all times...weather it be out in the slot, tailback, punt and kick returns, etc etc.. Something like a Percy Harvin. If so i know Tate will be a much better quarterback, as well as having a super weapon at all times in Denard, and Gardner (the next vince young) will learn on the go, while still getting some reps. Any thoughts?
October 29th, 2009 at 6:02 PM ^
With that 4.3-40 speed, there's no question that he needs to play a role for the offense. I wholeheartedly agree, unless by some miracle he learns how not to make erratic throws. They should still use him in the shotgun from time to time to confuse defenses.
October 29th, 2009 at 8:58 PM ^
If the Terrelle Pryor experience has taught us anything, it's that we probably shouldn't anoint players with the "next Vince Young" label when they're still in high school. Young was a once-in-a-decade talent.
October 29th, 2009 at 9:55 PM ^
How about the next Pat White? Michael Vick? Randall Cunningham? Kordell Stewart? If the Terelle Pryor experience has taught me anything, its that i still would take Pryor in a heartbeat..Also Vince didnt really explode until his late junior/senior year, so Pryor, and Gardner lol, still have time..
October 29th, 2009 at 10:29 PM ^
Vick, Young and White all redshirted their freshman year.
October 30th, 2009 at 12:00 AM ^
You guys take this to serious lol. Im just comparing him to other dual threats.. Onto Illinois eh?
October 30th, 2009 at 10:54 AM ^
I really think Denard needs to seriously think about switching! We all know he won't make it to the pro's as a QB, so why not use his explosiveness elsewhere! I think if Gardner comes in and blows everyone away,he will. If not, he redshirts and Denard stays at QB for at least one more year. That's the two scenarios that I see playing out.
October 30th, 2009 at 2:59 AM ^
i agree with pushing him to play with Tate right away, kind of like they're sprinkling in Denard this year. See how he does. If this happens, Denard should definitely be moved to slot where he can have the ball in his hands in space. Thats when we'll have more explosive bubble screens.
October 30th, 2009 at 9:38 AM ^
I think there is some doubt as to whether he is going to enroll early because he might not be able to finish all of his reqs in time. He is still working to finish everything in time to be at Michigan in January, but he may or may not be able to get everything done. I hope he does because I think there's a good chance he'd start next year.
October 30th, 2009 at 1:21 PM ^
UF has taken a good long look at Gardner it seems. That included a visit from some assistant coaches fairly recently, has anyone seen anything on this?
October 30th, 2009 at 1:32 PM ^
I think you're referring to Scot Loeffler's visit with Gardner. I didn't see anything about what came out of it though.
October 30th, 2009 at 1:49 PM ^
IMHE I have not seen anything about Gardner's makeup and personality from afar to give cause for concern regarding his commitment to Michigan
October 30th, 2009 at 1:49 PM ^
Wow it was Loeffler? I hadn't heard a name, I wasn't sure if there was actually anything to the random postings I saw.
October 30th, 2009 at 9:20 PM ^
Well, he is the QB coach, and having recently left Michigan himself, that would be who I'd want to send.
October 30th, 2009 at 5:17 PM ^
I don't believe for a second at this point that Gardner's going anywhere...but Loeffler is a shifty character. The Paternos would probably like to corner him a dark alley, and he's already made a run at one of our prized recruits during his time at Florida.
It's just worth keeping an eye on, is all.