Offseason Speculation: What is Gardner's Ceiling?
Despite the fact that it was a relatively small sample of QB play this season, Gardner looked pretty damn good at times, including an impressive performance against the mighty South Carolina defense. What do you think his ceiling is? Let's say the levels are:
-All B1G QB
-All American QB
-Heisman Finalist
-Heisman Winner
-Top 15 pick
-Top 5 pick
-Number 1 overall pick
Obviously, a wide range of possibilities, but this is assuming again, an optimistic ceiling, not a prediction of what he'll necessarily turn out to be. Personally, I think his ceiling is somewhere around All-American/Heisman Finalist, a lot will also depend on his redshirt and the success of team the next couple years.
In case you need a reminder:
February 26th, 2013 at 9:45 PM ^
February 26th, 2013 at 10:27 PM ^
I say he does the exact same thing as Cam Newton. He beats Alabama and is drafted #1 overall by the Panthers. Also, he has some sort of huge scandal about stealing laptops or being sold to a college by his father. Except he doesn't get away with it, because we're not an SEC team.
February 27th, 2013 at 6:44 AM ^
but only because Miller will be putting up staggering numbers on a team that when UM inherited it was already suited to the read/option.
As for Deving, he would have been recruited by Lloyd Carr if he has stayed another year, but is equally as dangerous in running the above-mentioned offense. This will stay a part of our game play - Hell, even Jimmy H. uses it - and this will allow him to put up some good yds on ground as well.
We all saw the improvement of T.Magic last year, and Devin is infinitely blessed with more natural passing ability, so if Borges doesn't do a complete whacko job of calling plays next year and Funchess and a young wr step forward next season, I think DG has a hell of a year.
Now if somehow we can get that RS year for him, well he's certainly capable of putting up some of the more higher accomplishments you mentioned, especially in the draft that year. And with the improvement that experience brings along the OL and with the hope that one of our RBs will have a year comparable to M backs of the past, not even of the DR or MH caliber, but say a LT or anyone around 1300 yds, well he'd have a special year, indeed. And insamuch as whoever that RB might be, it would only set the stage for Shane to step in his RS freshman year and benefit even greater from an OL with yet another year of experience along with that RB who will hopefully emerge.
Among the most overlooked qualities of Devin is the fact that he proved in h.s., he is purely a winner. He does things at the crucial moments of a game, like throwing last minute TD passes to beat an OH team that hadn't lost at home in something like six seasons and leading his team into the playoffs after getting off to a 1-3 start.