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| (Photo: Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press) |
Having too many quarterbacks is a problem most coaches don’t
mind having.
That’s the problem Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh has, but
along with that problem is a bevy of question marks.
The Wolverines return Shane Morris who has very little
playing time at Michigan, and redshirt freshman Wilton Speight, who with his
size is the perfect model for the position.
Local high school standout Alex Malzone joined the team this
spring as an early enrollee, and according to Harbaugh had a good spring.
Harbaugh was also able to flip recruit Zach Gentry upon his
arrival, and bring two transfers. Graduate transfer Jake Ruddock from Iowa is
available to play this season, his final season of eligibility, and Houston
transfer John O’Korn.
The Wolverines will have five scholarship quarterbacks
competing this year for the starting job, and while most are expecting Ruddock
to win the job and for Gentry and Malzone to take redshirts, I think quite
differently.
Maybe redshirting Malzone isn’t a bad idea, but keeping
Gentry on the active roster is a must.
Gentry has yet to be seen playing a snap of college ball,
and nobody really knows how well he will adapt to the speed of the game, but
his versatility, and size makes him a real threat.
Gentry stands at 6’7 and has an NFL caliber arm.
His arm strength has been called elite, and to go along with
that, he ran for over 1,000 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior in high school.
He brings an awful lot to the table.
Slapping him with the redshirt might not be a bad idea, at
all, but keeping him on the active roster and giving him a shot to play
regularly at quarterback isn’t a bad idea either.
Let’s be truthful here, the Wolverines are not going to win
a National Championship in Jim Harbaugh’s first season. Ruddock is only here
for one season, then it’s back to a bevy of QB’s with no in game experience
(aside from the thrashings Michigan will put out against weak non-conference
foes).
So why not give the young gun a chance?
I will say that personally I believe he is the best young QB
on the roster (out of Speight, Malzone, and him).
With a large amount of experience this upcoming season, he
could potentially set up for stellar junior and senior seasons when Harbaugh
has built a very strong team around him with excellent recruiting classes.
Gentry is the type of quarterback to rebuild with, and
recruit offensive players around.
Just give him a shot.
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