Interesting interview on Speight and reason for transfer

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.

So is Speight on the squad through bowl season, or is he departing as soon as he’s done with classes? I ask with the thought that he could possibly play in the bowl — even if it’s as Peters’ backup, if Peters can manage to heal up.

Is a big part of any leadership/management position. Sometimes you can get it right so that everyone’s happy but that’s rare in a competitive environment. I think this is nothing unusual. Speight thinking he should be pencilled in as starter isn’t unusual nor is it unusual that Harbaugh would like to keep his options at QB open. Speight’s gotta know that coming off an injury and with Peters having some game experience now (and another hyped recruit coming into the picture), he might be in a tough spot in terms of winning the job. Let’s also be clear here - if Speight had any reason to believe he’s clearly a cut above the competition, he’d weigh his chances a lot differently. The reality is that it was kind of a wash even this year, so in that light you can see why Speight feels this way. Now one thing he needs to understand is that there’s no coach in CFB - even in FCS - who will just hand him the QB job no questions asked. He’ll have to earn it with any new staff, too. I don’t think Speight is a NFL QB, but if he thinks he is then it’s perfectly understandable that he makes this bet.

This feels like a bad break up.

He knew he was light years better than JOK heading into 2017 based on game performance and was surprised the coaches made him split reps with JOK in the spring and fall. He probably feels that those split reps held him back going into 2017, especially with all the new WR and TE he needed to develop confidence with. I don't blame him for feeling that way. The guy threw for 2,500 yards and 18 TDs last year so he had the resume. Based on that experience he probably feels like the coaches don't think he can be the guy and the deck is stacked in favor of Peters going into 2018. I don't blame him for feeling that way and making the decision to leave. I bet that if he had been clearly the starter heading into 2017 and wasn't subjected to the BS competition with JOK he may have stayed for 2018 based on a confidence he could be the guy despite being injured in 2017. Too bad he doesn't feel that way. Would have been nice to have him back next year. Hope he lands somewhere and has a great year. Put me in the camp of people who REALLY hope Peters can progress next year. I'm not convinced of his abilities yet based on what we saw this year. Huge question mark at most important position heading into next year.

So if I got this correct, the following spots will open up due to transfers and 5th years not being given: 1. Mbem-Bosse transferring 2. Speight 3. Ways 4. Bunting 5. Harris Who am I missing?

Good luck Wilton! Thanks, I wish you success but let's move on.

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.

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.