Michigan Football Preview 2013

2013 Michigan Football Preview

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/137378

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 83 of 267

QB Big Ten Rankings Players 1. Braxton Miller, Jr., Ohio State — The 2012 Griese-Brees Big Ten Quarterback of the Year recipient produced 3,310 yards of total offense and 28 touchdowns as a sophomore, and another year under the tutelage of quarterback guru Urban Meyer should pay immense dividends for the experienced and versatile upperclassman. 2. Taylor Martinez, Sr., Nebraska — Martinez has not abandoned his ability to break games open with his legs, but continues his focus on developing into a dynamic spreadoffense gunslinger. He completed 228 of 368 passes in 2012 (62.0 percent) for 2,871 yards and 23 touchdowns, and has stockpiled 9,449 yards of total offense and 77 touchdowns in his career. 3. Kain Colter, Sr., Northwestern — The dual-threat menace fueled a dangerous Northwestern offense that averaged 31.7 points per game in 2012, accounting for 872 passing yards, 894 rushing yards and 20 total touchdowns. 4. Devin Gardner, Jr., Michigan — Gardner looked the part when called upon late last season, manufacturing an eyepopping 18 touchdowns in the Wolverines' final five games (3.6 touchdowns per game). Now with a full offseason of work as the starting quarterback under his belt, the redshirt junior has almost unlimited potential. 5. Tre Roberson, So., Indiana In 2012, Northwestern senior quarter— Roberson was the victor of back Kain Colter threw for 872 yards an intense quarterback battle and eight touchdowns, and ran for 894 that headlined IU's fall practice yards and 12 more scores. photo by per kjeldsen in 2012, but suffered a brutal season-ending leg break in the second game of the season. Back at full strength, he should once again vie for the top spot in head coach Kevin Wilson's pass-focused offense. 6. Nathan Scheelhaase, Sr., Illinois —An elder statesman among conference quarterbacks, the three-year starter has thrown for 5,296 yards, scrambled for 1,795 and amassed 49 total touchdowns despite the Illini's deficiencies on offense in recent years. 7. Andrew Maxwell, Sr., Michigan State — Maxwell struggled mightily in his quest to replace highly regarded former Spartan Kirk Cousins, tossing just 13 touchdowns against nine interceptions, but looks to improve as the leader of the MSU offense with a year of full-time experience under his belt. 8. Trevor Siemian, Jr., Northwestern — Siemian saw plenty of valuable time as a sophomore in Northwestern's unique offense, and capitalized with 1,312 passing yards and six touchdowns in relief of Colter. 9. Cameron Coffman, Jr., Indiana — The JUCO transfer was vaulted into action due to the injury of teammate Tre Roberson, and responded by completing 247 of 407 passes (60.7 percent) for 2,734 yards and 15 touchdowns against 11 interceptions. 10. Philip Nelson, So., Minnesota — The maturation of Nelson, who threw for 873 yards and eight touchdowns as a true freshman, will be an integral factor in the development of Minnesota's burgeoning offense. Units 1. Northwestern — The combination of Kain Colter and Trevor Siemian gives the Wildcats both a dual-threat quarterback and a traditional, strong-armed drop-back option under center. 2. Ohio State — Alongside arguably the top player in the conference in Braxton Miller, the Buckeyes possess a dependable insurance plan in fifth-year senior Kenny Guiton and freshman J.T. Barrett, a former four-star recruit. 3. Indiana — The Hoosiers led the Big Ten in passing offense (311.2 yards per game), and return three experienced quarterbacks in junior Cameron Coffman, redshirt sophomore Tre Roberson and sophomore Nate Sudfeld. 4. Nebraska — Taylor Martinez is one of the most experienced and durable quarterbacks in the conference, and is the clear catalyst for a Cornhusker offense that scored 34.8 points per game last year. 5. Michigan — Devin Gardner was brilliant down the stretch last season, but a seasonending knee injury suffered by backup Russell Bellomy during spring practice raises serious concerns about U-M's depth at the position. 82  ■  The Wolverine 2013 Football Preview a lot to learn, but I like what we're working with." Ideally, Morris would spend a year under the tutelage of Borges and his fellow quarterbacks, but that is not a luxury U-M can afford. "If Brian Cleary shows us that he's our second-best quarterback, and we're confident that if we need him for a series or even just one or two plays, he can get it done, then maybe we would have the chance to redshirt Shane. But if he's our No. 2, he'll play," Borges said. A first-team All-Catholic League honoree in both 2010 and 2011 at Detroit Jesuit High School, Cleary was scheduled to attend Notre Dame before being offered the chance to walk on with the Maize and Blue. He may be a complete unknown, but the 6-3, 199-pound signalcaller possesses the tools to compete at this level. "He can throw the ball," Borges said. "He's a walk-on, but he doesn't really look like one when you see what he can do physically. "He doesn't know what to do yet. It's so overwhelming at first. But Brian Cleary is an excellent student, incredibly bright, and if we can increase his football intelligence, he can be a solid quarterback. He can spin the football like a kid you've recruited. Passing Stats Year-By-Year Year Yards 20122591 20112377 20103252 20092380 20081718 TD 20 22 23 15 11 INT 19 16 15 15 12 Year Yards 20072862 20062538 20052672 20042795 20033520 TD 25 22 23 25 26 INT 14 8 8 12 10 "In the spring he was running third [team], and I was giving Russell most of the two reps, but Brian was still getting in there. When Russ got hurt, then Brian played, and once he started taking all the two reps, his game got better. By the time we hit the last week, his last few practices, he was very effective. "Is he ready to jump into a Big Ten game and win? No. He can't win a game for you, but to be a serviceable player with a good group around him, make good decisions and work within the system — he could be that kind of player eventually and maybe better over time." The Future Is Bright Michigan needs Gardner to stay healthy, and there is reason to be hopeful he can remain upright. Over the past 20 years, backup quarterbacks have thrown 25 or fewer passes in 10 seasons, either unneeded in critical situations or just briefly. In fact, during Chad Henne's first three seasons from 2004-06, his reserves attempted only 44 passes total, almost all in mop-up duty. If the Wolverines can survive 2013, they should be loaded in 2014 with Gardner a potential fifth-year senior, Bellomy back from injury, both Morris and Cleary gaining some experience, and another recruit beginning his freshman campaign (three-star Wilton Speight). Bellomy is eager to return to the fray, determined to create a far greater memory than his 3-of-16 showing at Nebraska in a 23-9 loss. "The perception of him is all based on that game, and that's grossly unfair," Borges said. "He was a redshirt freshman coming into a hostile environment in a difficult situation. He should have played better, but Russell Bellomy is an accurate passer. He understands our offense, he's athletic and he can run. He could be a very, very functional quarterback, maybe a very good quarterback, but he wasn't quite ready. Unfortunately, we didn't have any other options at the time. "Before he was hurt this spring, he was figuring it out. Year one to year two is a big deal for a quarterback, but year two to year three, which is where he was, is a bigger deal. He was getting to where he was understanding where to go with the ball, how to run the offense, and then that happened. I felt just horrible for him. I think you would have seen a different Russell Bellomy." ❑

Articles in this issue

view archives of Michigan Football Preview 2013 - 2013 Michigan Football Preview