I haven't been up on recruiting for the last two seasons but was browsing scout.com tonight. Something caught my attention and I thought it was odd. I'm not into bashing other schools (too badly anyway) or recruits because they aren't Irish. However, why in the world would a 5 star QB commit to UofM? I see that he's from Michigan of course, but is that the main driving force? Does anybody have some insight to this? Is he offspring or relative to other UofM vets or something?

Oh! BTW, I don't want to imply the old "why the heck isn't he Irish" routine into this. I have no idea what schools he was looking at. I just thought i'd better add that

Probably has something to do with early playing time since no one as of yet has cemented down the job. Also the fact that it is Michigan, an in-state college where heroes are born and a whole state worships you. His family could go to every game and they'd win 4 national championships. I've heard that Devin is that elusive QB who throws to set up the run.. He is very accurate according to the Free Press and doesn't just bail when the pocket collapses. It sounds like a perfect fit for RichRod's offense....damnit!

I completely understand why he would chose scUM, but I am a little surprised as well.

 

Obviously he is a perfect fit for RR's offense and he can probably see himself being the next Pat White

 

However, RR brought in 2 "fits" for his offense this past recruiting cycle, and both are very talented guys. DG is coming into the same situation that DC did the year after we got JC......but DG has 2 guys that are ahead of him.

 

....maybe he has the same mindset that DC did, and he knows that even though he will likely be a 3rd stringer (assuming one of the freshman do not transfer) that competition will make him better and he will be that much better if and when he gets to play in his Sr season.

Hey Gents,

 

Been awhile....lost my logins, have just read and enjoyed all posts over the past few years since moving to Australia...the same could have been asked of our QB coach, or why would have Randy Moss or any Oline in the past few years....sometimes a place just makes sense. Great to be back and can't wait for the game which I'll unfortunately have to see the result Sunday Australia time.....Go Irish!!!!

Glad to have you back Down Under!

Welcome DownUnder. It's great to have you at DD.

SJ

Because Devin Gardner is better than the two (three) QBs that Rich Rod brought in last year.

 

Plus, it might not just be the depth chart. Michigan (sucks) is a wonderful school, it's his home state school, and he might have felt that it was the perfect fit for him when he visited. Can't knock a kid when those are his reasons.

why wouldnt he? lol

early playing time (unless forcier turns out really good), good school, close to his home and friends, and he is a perfect fit for RR's offense

That's the thing, he is not clearly better than either one of the freshman. Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson were both highly rated QBs in a VERY deep recruiting class. DG is also highly rated, but this class is not even in the same ballpark as far as overall talent. He is looked at like a guy with tons of potential, but not very polished (not a "project" but needs work). If anything, I would say they have comparable tools (with Denard having more speed) and the freshman will have more experience.....so unless Denard gets moved, or someone transfers DG is looking at 2 or 3 years (at a minimum) of pine riding.

 

Had he looked at other schools running a similar (running QB friendly) offense, the path to starting would have not been nearly as cloudy.

 

DG "could" win the starting job, but it is not likely (see my comments earlier about Dayne Crist).

do you guys know which teams he was looking at? I have to agree that if I were a kid from michigan and was pretty highly ranked and saw an opportunity to help my homestate school by bringing something that CAN be used, it's pretty much a no-brainer. The over-all atmosphere of UofM will always be mystic and doubt that recent down times would really sway a kid too much if it's already in his heart.

That's the thing, he is not clearly better than either one of the freshman. Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson were both highly rated QBs in a VERY deep recruiting class. DG is also highly rated, but this class is not even in the same ballpark as far as overall talent. He is looked at like a guy with tons of potential, but not very polished (not a "project" but needs work). If anything, I would say they have comparable tools (with Denard having more speed) and the freshman will have more experience.....so unless Denard gets moved, or someone transfers DG is looking at 2 or 3 years (at a minimum) of pine riding.

 

Had he looked at other schools running a similar (running QB friendly) offense, the path to starting would have not been nearly as cloudy.

 

DG "could" win the starting job, but it is not likely (see my comments earlier about Dayne Crist).

 

First of all, yes, he's considered a MUCH better prospect than both Foricer and Robinson. Size wise, it's no contest -- Gardner is 6'4 and 200 with room to grow, and has NFL potential. Forcier and Robinson are both 6'0, 180 pounds, and no one thinks they'll play QB at the next level. Second, Gardner's strength isn't his feet (which are very good, by the way) but his arm, which is usually not the case with spread option QBs. He's a much better thrower than both Robinson and Forcier.

 

Gardner is the #1 dual threat QB in the country, and the 53rd ranked overall according to Rivals. Forcier was the 5th ranked dual threat, and the 164th overall player. Robinson wasn't even included in the QB rankings -- the guy was recruited as an athlete, and didn't switch to QB until UM realized there was a gaping hole there. So, no, they weren't as highly rated as Gardner.

 

Gardner is a Michigan kid, probably grew up around campus rooting for the Wolverines. Is it any wonder why he committed? And you can't help but think the kid made the right decision, as no QB has grabbed the job this year -- RRod has said he'll play ALL THREE guys. That's a clear sign that no one's good enough to grab the reigns, and that Gardner can come in and compete to start right away.

Edited September 4, 200915 yr by Katzenboyer

Gardner is the #1 dual threat QB in the country, and the 53rd ranked overall according to Rivals. Forcier was the 5th ranked dual threat, and the 164th overall player. Robinson wasn't even included in the QB rankings -- the guy was recruited as an athlete, and didn't switch to QB until UM realized there was a gaping hole there. So, no, they weren't as highly rated as Gardner.

 

while all that is undeniably true, you do not address how this class is by far the weakest class in the last few years (at least that's the "buzz" so far). so, any rankings from this compared to previous classes must be taken with more than a grain of salt...in other words, gardner's ranking is almost assuredly inflated...

while all that is undeniably true, you do not address how this class is by far the weakest class in the last few years (at least that's the "buzz" so far). so, any rankings from this compared to previous classes must be taken with more than a grain of salt...in other words, gardner's ranking is almost assuredly inflated...

 

What he said

THATS GREAT, THAT HE IS GOING TO MICHIGAN WE WANT TO BEAT THE BEST THAT THEY HAVE, SO LETS BRING HIM ON , :fencing: GO IRISH, BEAT THE WOLVERINES, RR IS STROKING THE IRISH , INTO BELIEVING THAT THEY CAN'T BE ANY GOOD. THIS IS THE TEAM THAT FOLKS WILL TALK ABOUT. I SEE A VERY CLOSE GAME WITH AN IRISH WIN BY 7 AT BEST. JUST WIN

while all that is undeniably true, you do not address how this class is by far the weakest class in the last few years (at least that's the "buzz" so far). so, any rankings from this compared to previous classes must be taken with more than a grain of salt...in other words, gardner's ranking is almost assuredly inflated...

 

I wouldn't hide behind "well, experts say this is the weakest class in years."

 

The argument was that Gardner was equally rated with Forcier and Robinson. That's not the case, regardless of what you want to say about the relative strength of the class of 2010.

 

If Gardner was in last year's class, he'd be rated higher than Forcier and Robinson. Does that work better for you?