The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/480355
quarterbacks coach Ken Mastrole, mentor of Houston transfer John O'Korn (eligible in 2016). "That's also something the staff there now brings to the table. "The pedigree of players they've produced and mentored between Coach Harbaugh and [assistant] Jedd Fisch is something that's very, very appealing." It's also the reason there's hope in 2015‑16. Everywhere he's been — Uni‑ versity of San Diego, Stanford and San Francisco — Harbaugh has gotten the best out of his quarterbacks. There are three things he demands, Fisch said, and it's Harbaugh's philosophy — don't turn it over, take care of the ball and complete passes. Be smart with the ball. They won't find anybody bet‑ ter than Rudock, said Tom Kakert of HawkeyeReport.com. The 6‑3, 210‑pounder threw 16 touchdowns against just five interceptions last season while completing 62 percent of his passes for 2,436 yards and earn‑ ing Academic All‑Big Ten honors for the second straight year. He ranked second in the Big Ten in completion percentage and fourth in passing ef‑ ficiency in 12 games. Despite that, the fans — and the coaches — became enamored with Beathard. The Hawkeyes even listed a January two‑deep with Rudock listed No. 2, paving the way for his depar‑ ture. "Jakes a great kid, pre‑med," Kak‑ ert said. "He's going to be a pediatric surgeon, I believe … he wants to help kids. He's a world‑class kid, a great student, is going to graduate and wants to go to med school after foot‑ ball is done. They don't make them better than Jake Rudock. "As a quarterback, he did exactly what the coaches wanted. That's the sign he's coachable. He's not going to go off script. [Iowa head coach] Kirk Ferentz, he's allergic to turnovers. The safe play is the right play; don't take a bunch of chances. Jake would get them into the right play." And "treat the ball like gold," as Fisch would say. In that respect, Ru‑ dock could be just what the Wolver‑ ines need for a year. "I think it's just a really good situation for him and for Michigan," Kakert added. "Michigan would be bringing in a guy who is a student of the game. He's smart. He can pick ev‑ erything up very quickly, and you're not going to have to worry about him and a playbook at all. He will have it down pat. "He'll know what to do, and he knows how to read defenses. I can't say enough good things about him. He just got an incredibly bad rap in a bad situation where fans didn't like the offensive coordinator." Would he be a savior at Michigan? Nope, and he's not the sexy pick, ei‑ ther. But he might just be the bridge to the future the Wolverines need in the short term. ❏ Chris Balas has been with The Wolverine since 1997, working part time for five years before joining the staff full time in 2002. Contact him at cbalas@thewolverine.com and follow him on Twitter at Balas_Wolverine.