The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/480355
F irst things first, and so we're clear, Jake Rudock is no Russell Wilson. The for‑ mer Iowa quarterback, visiting Michigan this spring as a potential graduate transfer, lost his job to C.J. Beathard last year, had become the Hawkeyes fans' punching bag and has aspirations of med school, not the NFL. Wilson, of course, transferred to Wiscon‑ sin from North Carolina State for one year, led the Badgers to the Rose Bowl and has won a Su‑ per Bowl in Seattle. Only in the most optimistic Michi‑ gan fan's dream could Rudock lead the Wolverines to a similar Promised Land, yet he might be U‑M's best bet to maximize U‑M's potential in 2015. Why else would the U‑M coach‑ ing staff say 'thanks, but no thanks' to Rudock initially before changing their minds after four spring practices and agreeing to host him the week of March 15? "We're making strides every day," head coach Jim Harbaugh said of his current group. "They're doing a lot of little things better and better each day. They're all really into it. It means a lot to them, each guy that we have. That's all you can ask for as a coach." Well, that … and a guy who can make all the throws and win titles, something U‑M hasn't done since 2004, when the Wolverines shared the Big Ten title. Michigan won't get there again until some‑ one emerges with the mindset that losing isn't an option and brings the tools to back it up. Unfortunately, that guy isn't with the team right now. Junior Shane Morris has the big arm, sophomore Wilton Spei‑ ght the size and football IQ, and true frosh Alex Malzone the work ethic. Combined, they'd be a great one. Alone, there might not be a champion‑ ship quarterback in the bunch. True freshman Zach Gentry arrives in the fall with a 6‑7 frame, a big arm and mobility. He's the near future. Rudock, though, might be the im‑ mediate future. He's a student of the game with the experience U‑M's other signal‑callers are lacking. "I talk all the time about how you want your quarterbacks to be football nerds, guys that want to study the game, progress, be challenged," said INSIDE MICHIGAN CHRIS BALAS One-Year QB May Be Best Bet Former Iowa quarterback Jake Ruddock, who was slated to visit U‑M in March, could prove to be a good stopgap option under center for the Wolverines as a graduate transfer in 2015. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL