Nico Collins Sitting Out, Milton Starting QB, McCaffrey Looking at Options Per Sports Illustrated
Per Michael Spath at SI (consider the source), Nico Collins will be sitting out to prepare for the NFL while Joe Milton has indeed won the QB battle. The surprise is that he is saying McNamara is the backup QB as McCfaffrey is looking at transfer options.
If true, I'm really excited for Milton but the WR are little thin now. He'll have Bell, Jackson, Sainristill, and Johnson to throw to. I was really hoping we could have seen Nico in his #1 jersey so I hope that part isn't true.
But even if it is, I'm just glad Michigan football is back.
Full article: https://www.si.com/college/michigan/football/michigan-football-wolverin…;
September 16th, 2020 at 10:13 AM ^
I think a year off would’ve helped what will be some very noticeable growing pains. I’m sure OSU doesn’t miss a step, and, as others have said, will likely get back their opted out players.
September 16th, 2020 at 10:56 AM ^
Exactly. Yay football is back but a good chunk of our most talented players have bolted to the NFL prematurely (in hindsight).
September 16th, 2020 at 11:00 AM ^
I am actually hopeful:
we have a great offensive line coach with some of his recruits in the mix
we have the second year of the offense
QB position has to be improved
they've had a ton of practice time
we are loaded at running back
we have a ton of receiver talent
I am worried about the defense though
September 16th, 2020 at 1:25 PM ^
QB position is hardly guaranteed to improve. Of course we'd all love that, but there is plenty of likelihood that it drops off before it gets better.
A stock that drops 90% can still go down another 90%. Or, for those of us who used to bitch in the mid-00s about our fatass, immobile (Henige, Lentz), undertalented (Riley, Kraus), quitter-infested (Mitchell, Boren) O-Line being way below Michigan standards ... then along came 2008. (RR, for all his many flaws, had nothing to do with that fiasco ... that OL was unbelievably bad, and it was all Carr/Andy Moeller boys.)
September 16th, 2020 at 11:36 AM ^
Agreed. Michigan probably finishes 3-5 and OSU scores at least 80 points on Michigan. Not sure why Michigan fans wanted a season so bad.
September 16th, 2020 at 9:44 AM ^
I bet both OSU guys come back.
September 16th, 2020 at 9:47 AM ^
I will bet my (admittedly not impressive) life savings on this if anyone wants to bet against.
September 16th, 2020 at 9:54 AM ^
+1 for the user name
September 16th, 2020 at 9:59 AM ^
But can he spit fire rap lyrics while wearing a peanut costume?
September 16th, 2020 at 9:44 AM ^
Collins leaving doesn't surprise me. I don't trust Spath beyond that, though, and I sorta doubt the pecking order at the QB spot is set in stone.
September 16th, 2020 at 9:44 AM ^
Is it possible to have only Good News for at least a damn hour?
September 16th, 2020 at 9:45 AM ^
I’m surprised at Milton; I thought he was very raw. Onward I guess.
September 16th, 2020 at 9:47 AM ^
This podcast goes deep into how Joe Milton has taken such a big leap.
https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdWRpb2Jvb20uY29tL2NoYW5uZW…
September 16th, 2020 at 9:47 AM ^
Since this is now his 3rd season, I think it's plausible he's added accuracy and touch to his arm strength. Sam Webb and other sources have said he's been far and away the best QB. Hopefully that is more on Milton and less on McCaffrey and McNamara.
September 16th, 2020 at 9:49 AM ^
I get that. I just never thought he looked demonstrably less raw than Dylan.
September 16th, 2020 at 9:54 AM ^
I’m skeptical, that’s all. He certainly has the tools but the limited data we saw wasn’t impressive. I’d feel much better with Dylan, given his potential with QB keepers.
September 16th, 2020 at 10:37 AM ^
Strongly disagree, Milton threw 2 INTs in his 11 pass attempts and a few of his completions were objectively bad throws that were bailed out by Nico Collins having insanely good hands and a huge catch radius. His only wow moment was his TD pass to Sainristil. Dylan looked much more refined in terms of his decision making against ND in 2018 and last season. I'm skeptical about Milton unless he's taken huge leaps with his decision making and putting touch on passes
September 16th, 2020 at 12:31 PM ^
Clearly he has improved enough to win the job.
Milton winning the job is a testament to his development and work ethic.
September 16th, 2020 at 9:45 AM ^
Can't I enjoy the good news for like 15 minutes
September 16th, 2020 at 9:47 AM ^
I kind of hate the new "everybody transfers" era. It's good that players have options and that if Dylan McCaffrey got beat but is good enough to start somewhere he'll get that opportunity. But for Michigan, if Milton doesn't pan out (this is all just practice hype so far) or gets injured, we're suddenly down to our third or fourth string instead of having a tried and tested second string option to go to.
September 16th, 2020 at 9:50 AM ^
I get it though. He's looking at Milton's improvement and the fact that Michigan has a stud QB coming in next year and probably can see the writing on the wall. Injuries are a part of football, but he can't just sit and count on something happening that would allow him to play.
September 16th, 2020 at 10:09 AM ^
LOL. We've had a stud quarterback coming "next year" every year since Harbaugh arrived. Hasn't happened yet and, until it happens, I don't believe it. The best we've had is "pretty good" Jake Rudock for one year.
September 16th, 2020 at 10:34 AM ^
I'd take "pretty good" Jack Rudock this year. And last year. And the year before that. And possibly next year.
September 16th, 2020 at 10:10 AM ^
LOL. We've had a stud quarterback coming "next year" every year since Harbaugh arrived. Hasn't happened yet and, until it happens, I don't believe it. The best we've had is "pretty good" Jake Rudock for one year.
September 16th, 2020 at 9:53 AM ^
It was going to be a rebuilding season anyways. People seem to have forgotten this.
September 16th, 2020 at 10:03 AM ^
This is correct. I feel like we kinda lucked out with this being an extra weird “season”. It’s hard to get a read on any program because of it. It may turn to our advantage.
September 16th, 2020 at 10:29 AM ^
Rebuild might be generous. We're replacing 10 of 11 starters on offense.
September 16th, 2020 at 9:22 PM ^
Not all of those 10 guys were worth keeping. Maybe we need new glove. Some of the going guys have been impressive in limited action. Shea was nothing special. Milton might not be either, but his ceiling is 3x higher than Shea. That has me excited. Really confused why so many are down on this team. We need a few to step up at key positions, but it’s doable. I am expecting it to be honest. I think Cornelius Johnson excels with this Nico news. Need a CB to step up. Thomas loss is big, but nothing new. He hasn’t been around for a while now. OL has depth. Should be ok.
September 16th, 2020 at 10:10 AM ^
I agree. I understand Harbaugh is trying to do good by the players and support their rights, but I have found it odd he’s pounded the drum so hard for the free transfer rule. Michigan needs to be a program that keeps the majority of players on campus 4 and 5 years to help compete with the big boys. We simply do not have the recruiting chops to withstand early entries and transfers every time a player is mad he’s not starting.
September 16th, 2020 at 12:19 PM ^
It’s because he’s selfless and not selfish! Regardless of how it may hurt his program, he wants the best for his student-athletes.
September 16th, 2020 at 10:19 AM ^
There are rumors DM is 3rd string behind Cade.
As much athletic promise DM has showed I'm not sure he'll ever be a plus D1 QB.
September 16th, 2020 at 10:25 AM ^
The scenario you mentioned is actually not all the uncommon for upperclassman 2nd string QBs. If everyone was still a freshman, sure they'd hang around but you only get so many years to play and McCaffery has already suffered a major injury.
Additionally the transfer portal is basically just another name for College Free Agency. Essentially its a very public way to announce your decision to leave and attract other programs to come calling. Used to be a player announced it after having a discussion with coaches and getting some type of blessing. Its only a matter of time that we start recruiting players for -x- amount of years with guaranteed playing time.
September 16th, 2020 at 9:47 AM ^
I'm curious if the injury to DM in the PSU game 2 years ago set him back (similar to Speight).
September 16th, 2020 at 9:47 AM ^
For the guys that have already opted out, are they still enrolled with the University? I think that is a piece that gets missed a lot, they still have to be in (good) academic standing in order to play. I know the semester is only a couple of weeks old, but if they aren't enrolled anymore they can't play.
September 16th, 2020 at 10:29 AM ^
I'm sure the logistical requirements are out there but I believe if they are no longer a current student and/or have hired an agent, they are not able to rejoin athletic activities.
IMO, it can be a good/bad thing. It'll suck to never see Collins, Mayfield, Thomas, etc... play again but if you're trying to sell playing time to young recruits, here you go!
September 16th, 2020 at 12:28 PM ^
If you aren’t enrolled when the semester begins, you’re not a student and therefore not eligible to play on a team.
September 16th, 2020 at 9:47 AM ^
For the guys that have already opted out, are they still enrolled with the University? I think that is a piece that gets missed a lot, they still have to be in (good) academic standing in order to play. I know the semester is only a couple of weeks old, but if they aren't enrolled anymore they can't play.
September 16th, 2020 at 9:48 AM ^
If true, best of luck to Dylan. Stuck it out and competed when many others would have left as soon as Shea transferred in. Go somewhere and start young man, show everyone.
Now if I'm being honest, I'm thinking......well, he couldn't beat out Shea.....
September 16th, 2020 at 9:53 AM ^
I'm hoping this is Spath being a dickwad, and totally wrong. I don't see any sense in Nico opting out now. And I can't believe that any QB battle is set with 6 weeks of practice/camp to go. It just doesn't seem plausible...
September 16th, 2020 at 9:54 AM ^
If true, we’re gonna suck hard.
September 16th, 2020 at 10:03 AM ^
OSU is going to ass rape us at their place this year. This is going to be a 'setup for next year' year.
If this is true (and no way do i believe the source is credible) than please Milton prove me wrong - very wrong.
September 16th, 2020 at 10:37 AM ^
If Milton even slightly touches on the potential and hype he's been lauded over this weird ass off season, we should be fine to win the games we need to to save face. Defense should be able to prop us up until we know what we have in Milton.
This could very well be a Denard or Vince Young-type situation where we hand him the ball and say go win the game, big fella.
September 16th, 2020 at 11:34 AM ^
User name does not fit.
September 16th, 2020 at 10:35 AM ^
B/c Funky Tobias knows, and the coaches don't. I'm always a leetle surprised at the temerity. . .
September 16th, 2020 at 10:49 AM ^
Have you watched Michigan play any team with a pulse over the past 8 years?
September 16th, 2020 at 9:57 AM ^
Surprised on McCaffry. He was faster than he looked, so I was hoping he would be similar to Devin Gardner. I was a little concerned when he didn't throw much last year.
It's cool that Milton is doing well, and won the job. Hoping this means he is quick to make reads and finds the open receiver. I know he's got a lot of arm. Maybe this means the line is more set too, since they are moving with the less mobile qb.
September 16th, 2020 at 9:58 AM ^
Kinda makes sense if the reports are true - that is, McCaffrey spent all that time away from A2 in the family compound while Milton went 80s action movie training montage with teammates.
September 16th, 2020 at 10:41 AM ^
I imagine the Mccarffery family compound is a pretty good place to work on your football skills
September 16th, 2020 at 10:01 AM ^
I thought it was common knowledge whoever lost the QB battle would likely transfer out anyways. Nico I would not blame him at all an eight-game season with a brand new o-line and quarterback won't do him any favors.