Who's going to be the starting QB for Michigan next season? Forcier, Robinson, or the new 5* Gardner?

I seen Gardner play against big red...crazy arm and good runner. Forcier seems to have a strained relationship with RR, so I say there will be some sort of split between Robinson and Gardner.

Forcier

Some felon.

I'm thinking Forcier will be the opening day starter, with Gardner playing a similar role as Robinson did this year, but more effective. Robinson will probably see more time as a HB/WR combo. As the season wears on and if Forcier continues to make stupid mistakes, Gardner will take the reigns as starter...Thats just speculation though...what do you think?

Has Gardner committed yet? I have heard that he hasn't, but haven't seen anything on here stating that he hasn't committed.

I watched the state final game and wasn't blown away by Gardner. I would truly be surprised to see Forcier or Robinson not starting next season.

If they could teach Robinson how to read defenses and throw a good ball he'd be my choice. He at least gives them a dual-threat option back there.

By the way, I thought Forcier was a dual-threat kind of QB? I didn't see anything that would suggest that this year. He's kind of shifty but by no means will he ever get close to a 1000 yd rushing season IMO.

Not sure why this is a "stupid" thread. Forcier played pretty miserable at the end of the season, Robinson was a decently rated recruit, and they have a blue chip coming in. I think it is worthy of discussion

Tate will almost certainly be the starting qb next year barring injury or Denard suddenly being able to read a defense and throw. Gardner is a talent but he will most likely redshirt to the dismay of many irrational wolverine fan's.

Alot of people were hard on Tate last year but failed to remember that this kid was a true freshman essentially trying to carry Michigan to victory on his own after after Minor and Brown were basically done midway through the season. Given a year in the weight room and an off season to improve his decision making I think Tate will be just fine.

As for Denard, The kid's future is not at qb and he needs to accept that.

^ Yeah you're probably right. Forcier was young and at the end of the day he probably will give them the best chance to win next year

devil1197 wrote: I watched the state final game and wasn't blown away by Gardner. I would truly be surprised to see Forcier or Robinson not starting next season.

Hard to do anything when you have 3 guys in your face as soon as you get the snap. Inkster was all Gardner last year and they were extremly outplayed at state on the LOS

Tinkertrain wrote: Tate will almost certainly be the starting qb next year barring injury or Denard suddenly being able to read a defense and throw. Gardner is a talent but he will most likely redshirt to the dismay of many irrational wolverine fan's.

Alot of people were hard on Tate last year but failed to remember that this kid was a true freshman essentially trying to carry Michigan to victory on his own after after Minor and Brown were basically done midway through the season. Given a year in the weight room and an off season to improve his decision making I think Tate will be just fine.

As for Denard, The kid's future is not at qb and he needs to accept that.

I agree with you 100%. Gardner unless he comes in and just blows RR away with his ability will redshirt. Tate showed that he can be a good player in UMs system just needs to work on his decision making on and OFF the field (not saying hes a bad kid just seems to be a bit of a drama queen). Robinson is going to play wr/rb he is to athletic to sit the bench and he is not going to make it as a qb anywhere else. Robinson will probably have a package at qb though just to give a different look every now and then.

OldDanTucker wrote:

devil1197 wrote: I watched the state final game and wasn't blown away by Gardner. I would truly be surprised to see Forcier or Robinson not starting next season.

Hard to do anything when you have 3 guys in your face as soon as you get the snap. Inkster was all Gardner last year and they were extremly outplayed at state on the LOS

100% Agree...Also, on the other side of the ball, the other team was getting 5+yds. a snap on the ground. Alot was from QB dives and sweeps. Inkster had ALOT of speed, but got manhandled on the LOS

Tate was very aggressive and I liked that, but if Gardner can throw decently, I have a feeling he'll be more productive in the system. If Robinson could throw worth a lick, he would have been starting, simply on his athleticism. So given that Gardner is a better runner than Forcier, I think it's very possible he's given the starting job.

Gardner may be more productive in the system EVENTUALLY but eventually is not this coming season. Redshirting Devin is absolutely the right move no matter how good he may or may not look in camp.

Why didn't they redshirt Robinson...It seems like that would have been a smarter decision. He essentially wasted a year this year..

They couldnt afford to redshirt Robinson because of the depth at qb and his unique and freakish speed demanded that he be put on the field. Not everyone realizes that Denard is quite possibly the fastest player in college football.

Denard's future long term is not at qb and the sooner he realizes and accepts that the better off he is going to be.

Tinkertrain wrote: They couldnt afford to redshirt Robinson because of the depth at qb and his unique and freakish speed demanded that he be put on the field. Not everyone realizes that Denard is quite possibly the fastest player in college football.

Denard's future long term is not at qb and the sooner he realizes and accepts that the better off he is going to be.

Does he have good enough hands to be a WR. I see him more like a Josh Cribbs type players. Could be an effective running back, but should get some time on SP Teams as well.

Just my take..

Michigan is a school that, based on the way their semesters are set up, always encourages football players to enroll in January to get in the extra workouts and spring practice. Forcier did it last year, and he and RichRod have both said that extra 5 months of work was huge. With that said, just about everyone in Ann Arbor was hoping that Devin Gardner would enroll next month, but that was basically shot down early when Garnder said he was staying in HS to play basketball. His stance has changed here as of late though. When interviewed about Gardner a few days ago, his HS coach said "He won't be here much longer", basically telling us all that he in going to enroll early. I think this is a GREAT move by DG. I was one of the guys who thought he should take a year, learn behind Forcier, and take a redshirt.. but now I think there is ZERO chance of that happening. Forcier will probably be the starter for the opener against UConn, unless DG comes in and blows everyone away... which isn't implausible. IMO, Michigan will use Forcier/Gardner much like Florida used Chris Leak/Tim Tebow during TT's freshmen season.

On Shoelaces..

I don't think RichRod has EVER had any long term plans for Robinson to play QB. IMO he just wanted NO REASON for Nick Sheridan to see the field. One of the big reasons Robinson signed with Michigan over Florida was because Meyer recruited him as a WR, while RichRod said he would at least get a shot at playing QB. Sheridan is a great kid and everything, but the dude is not a spread option QB. The pure threat of Robinson running is more of a positive than anything Sheridan can do. During the last 2/3 games last year, we saw a few packages with Robinson at slot and RB, which is what I think we'll see this year. I wouldn't be surprised to see him in all different areas on the field.

Trueblue23 wrote: Just my take..

Michigan is a school that, based on the way their semesters are set up, always encourages football players to enroll in January to get in the extra workouts and spring practice. Forcier did it last year, and he and RichRod have both said that extra 5 months of work was huge. With that said, just about everyone in Ann Arbor was hoping that Devin Gardner would enroll next month, but that was basically shot down early when Garnder said he was staying in HS to play basketball. His stance has changed here as of late though. When interviewed about Gardner a few days ago, his HS coach said "He won't be here much longer", basically telling us all that he in going to enroll early. I think this is a GREAT move by DG. I was one of the guys who thought he should take a year, learn behind Forcier, and take a redshirt.. but now I think there is ZERO chance of that happening. Forcier will probably be the starter for the opener against UConn, unless DG comes in and blows everyone away... which isn't implausible. IMO, Michigan will use Forcier/Gardner much like Florida used Chris Leak/Tim Tebow during TT's freshmen season.

Any idea when Gardner has to make the decision for sure? January/Spring semester isn't that far away. I would have thought that someone would have to be enrolled by now...

pkebker wrote:

Trueblue23 wrote: Just my take..

Michigan is a school that, based on the way their semesters are set up, always encourages football players to enroll in January to get in the extra workouts and spring practice. Forcier did it last year, and he and RichRod have both said that extra 5 months of work was huge. With that said, just about everyone in Ann Arbor was hoping that Devin Gardner would enroll next month, but that was basically shot down early when Garnder said he was staying in HS to play basketball. His stance has changed here as of late though. When interviewed about Gardner a few days ago, his HS coach said "He won't be here much longer", basically telling us all that he in going to enroll early. I think this is a GREAT move by DG. I was one of the guys who thought he should take a year, learn behind Forcier, and take a redshirt.. but now I think there is ZERO chance of that happening. Forcier will probably be the starter for the opener against UConn, unless DG comes in and blows everyone away... which isn't implausible. IMO, Michigan will use Forcier/Gardner much like Florida used Chris Leak/Tim Tebow during TT's freshmen season.

Any idea when Gardner has to make the decision for sure? January/Spring semester isn't that far away. I would have thought that someone would have to be enrolled by now...

Gardner is 100% commited to Michigan, has been for a while now. There have been rumblings about him taking a few other visits, but he has not done so. As for when he must enroll, that I do not know.. I'll keep you posted though.

Wouldn't it be smarter to play Forcier and go with your most experienced guy?

Why would you want to start all over again with a true freshman?

Honestly, I didn't think Forcier played THAT badly. It wasn't his fault UM had basically no defense for most of the season. Have UM fans come to the conclusion that they have to score 50 points or more every game to win because RR can't put together 11 guys to consistently stop the other team?

I see no reason to make this change unless Gardner is the next coming of Vince Young (in his junior year). And that's VERY unlikely.

Writerbuckeye wrote: Wouldn't it be smarter to play Forcier and go with your most experienced guy?

Why would you want to start all over again with a true freshman?

Honestly, I didn't think Forcier played THAT badly. It wasn't his fault UM had basically no defense for most of the season. Have UM fans come to the conclusion that they have to score 50 points or more every game to win because RR can't put together 11 guys to consistently stop the other team?

I see no reason to make this change unless Gardner is the next coming of Vince Young (in his junior year). And that's VERY unlikely.

Yes it would be smarter, and I think that's exactly what they will do.. doesn't hurt to have the #1 QB in the nation backing up your starter though

I hope they don't rush him though. He is very raw and needs time to learn, but he is almost too talented to keep off the field (sound familiar?)