Starting QB

[thewolverines24]

still amazes me how much Shane is an afterthought in all of this; he's not even part of the discussion

He isn't good.

 

[Michchamp]

Not as a grad student of course, but you'd have to think Malzone will transfer. Unless his love for UM is just that strong.

since he basically recruited himself to Ann Arbor, and was pretty unheralded (I remember the ratings sites had him pretty low until he got an offer from Hoke), I don't see him leaving. at this point I also don't see him ever playing though, unless he sees the field in a couple years as a backup.

A kid as (allegedly) polished as he was would've been more useful in the Hoke era, when QB development was non-existant.

 

[Michchamp]

He isn't good.

someone (Hailhail?) said he was really overrated at DLS, which was a run-first team. his high completion % was related to the fact that he threw rarely, and when he did they were low difficulty throws. also said Morris had a really shitty attitude when he got to campus.

I think the high expectations on him came solely from the fact that we recruited him.

didn't we first start hearing his name as the 11-2 2011 season ended? the sky was the limit for us and Hoke back then.

 

[deathroh]

since he basically recruited himself to Ann Arbor, and was pretty unheralded (I remember the ratings sites had him pretty low until he got an offer from Hoke), I don't see him leaving. at this point I also don't see him ever playing though, unless he sees the field in a couple years as a backup.

A kid as (allegedly) polished as he was would've been more useful in the Hoke era, when QB development was non-existant.

I thought he was always on the 3/4 star border. Decent enough recruit, he could definitely go somewhere and start. Just comes down to what he values more, playing or graduating from Michigan.

 

[deathroh]

someone (Hailhail?) said he was really overrated at DLS, which was a run-first team. his high completion % was related to the fact that he threw rarely, and when he did they were low difficulty throws. also said Morris had a really shitty attitude when he got to campus.

I think the high expectations on him came solely from the fact that we recruited him.

didn't we first start hearing his name as the 11-2 2011 season ended? the sky was the limit for us and Hoke back then.

Hail was definitely on the money with him.

 

[Michchamp]

Hail was definitely on the money with him.

That's about the only thing you got right in this post, but it's game week, and we're all in a good mood, so I'll stop with the corrections.

I am sure he had a lot of other offers, but other than State, who else among big time programs had recruited him? I thought, like Malzone, he was another case where the Michigan offer added a star to his rating, later in the process.

 

[Michchamp]

you miserable editor.

I don't need you to take it easy on me... you want to let fly with the corrections? go for it. I'm a man. I can take it.

 

[deathroh]

His completion percentage was around 50%, it was never high.

I don't know that he was even ranked at the time he committed since it was so early, but I seriously doubt he was a one time 5 star QB based on being recruited by Hoke. He was already a well known commodity after his sophomore year, and he blew up after camp workouts.

With Malzone I'm pretty sure he was a 4 star prior to committing on at least one site, but I'm not positive.

Hope you can handle that..

 

[thewolverines24]

Morris was the #1 rated QB in the country for a while. He dropped from a 5-star to 4-star on some recruiting sites because of his mono issue his senior year. His lack of playing time caused the drop.

From Wiki:

"Entering his senior season, he and Max Browne were the only two 5-star rated quarterbacks in the class of 2013 by Rivals.com.[19] A few weeks into his senior season, he had risen to 26th at ESPN,[1] but suffered season-ending mononucleosis with five games remaining on the schedule.[20] By the beginning of November, he was the top quarterback in the country according to some evaluators.[21] He ended his high school career ranked 127th by ESPN and 81st by Rivals.com.[9][22]"

 

[Michchamp]

huh. I misremembered that one pretty good. at least I got the timing right.

what about Malzone then?

 

[Michchamp]

Hope you can handle that..

Phew. That's some heat! But I'll survive.

 

[thewolverines24]

huh. I misremembered that one pretty good. at least I got the timing right.

what about Malzone then?

Malzone was a 3-star when he committed. Ended up a low end 4-star. Had great mechanics and accuracy, average arm strength.

 

[deathroh]

Malzone was a 4 star on Scout when he committed.

http://mgoblog.com/content/hello-alex-malzone

I'd put Morris' drop more on what happened when he did play than his lack of playing time. In the camps leading up to his senior year and then during the season his lack of accuracy and touch was pointed out by many scouts. Some people tried to blame it on the mono, or his team, but it's obvious that the scouts were on to something. IIRC, that's when he started dropping in the rankings.

 

[deathroh]

But on to QB's that will actually play this year...how the hell is O'korn listed at 6'4"? I'd put him at 6'2" tops. To me, height might be what tipped things in favor of Speight. While it's nice that O'korn can move, it seems like he has to move in order to pass effectively. He has to move around to find lanes, while locking in on one receiver.

In theory Speight can stand tall in the pocket and watch things develop more easily. I don't know that it played out like that when he did get in last year, but when Speight talks about the game slowing down for him I'm assuming that means he's having an easier time seeing things develop and doesn't feel rushed. And with the talent at the skill positions, decent to good line, and with Harbaugh's offense, you know there are going to be openings. I think they determined that Speight would be best equipped to take advantage of them.

 

[TheVictors]

From what I recall, Morris was a superfan of Michigan and basically committed before his Junior year and began recruiting others in that class. Then he had the mono thing his senior year ... Malzone I thought was also a pretty early commit and seemed to be the beginning of getting Detroit area HS QBs back to A2

Now with Speight/O'Korn, Peters and McCaffrey I doubt either see the field - I expect Morris to transfer and that Malzone takes the path right to grad assistant/coach

 

[TheVictors]

But on to QB's that will actually play this year...how the hell is O'korn listed at 6'4"? I'd put him at 6'2" tops. To me, height might be what tipped things in favor of Speight. While it's nice that O'korn can move, it seems like he has to move in order to pass effectively. He has to move around to find lanes, while locking in on one receiver.

In theory Speight can stand tall in the pocket and watch things develop more easily. I don't know that it played out like that when he did get in last year, but when Speight talks about the game slowing down for him I'm assuming that means he's having an easier time seeing things develop and doesn't feel rushed. And with the talent at the skill positions, decent to good line, and with Harbaugh's offense, you know there are going to be openings. I think they determined that Speight would be best equipped to take advantage of them.

I've read a few teammates say he made a huge leap in the spring from last season and then another significant leap from spring to camp. I would envision his arm strength and the run game will be enough to eliminate the need for true mobility. Physically he seems Navarre'ish but I keep picturing more Chad Henne when I watch Speight.

 

[Michchamp]

I've read a few teammates say he made a huge leap in the spring from last season and then another significant leap from spring to camp. I would envision his arm strength and the run game will be enough to eliminate the need for true mobility. Physically he seems Navarre'ish but I keep picturing more Chad Henne when I watch Speight.

I'm picturing more Tom Brady! (but without a Drew Henson behind the scenes the coaches pander to)

I know Speight came on board under Hoke, but I'm curious who the ultimate credit for finding him and getting him here should go to.

the only thing I remember reading about (prior to last season) was that he surprised some of the staff with his ability during the preseason. that would've been summer of 2014.

 

[cmrlily]

I'm picturing more Tom Brady! (but without a Drew Henson behind the scenes the coaches pander to)

I know Speight came on board under Hoke, but I'm curious who the ultimate credit for finding him and getting him here should go to.

the only thing I remember reading about (prior to last season) was that he surprised some of the staff with his ability during the preseason. that would've been summer of 2014.

I think Speight was a Borges "find." Then again, so was Russell Bellomy.

Development, of course, is all JH.

 

[Michchamp]

I think Speight was a Borges "find." Then again, so was Russell Bellomy.

Development, of course, is all JH.

Borges. geez. I'm glad those days are behind us (not that Borges' successor was any better)

I wonder if Harbaugh would ever let one of his assistants coach & conduct passing drills from a golf cart?

 

[TheVictors]

you miserable editor.

I don't need you to take it easy on me... you want to let fly with the corrections? go for it. I'm a man. I can take it.

you suck! And you're not 40 yet!