2014 Season Countdown: #90 Brian Cleary

Tag: Brian Cleary


17May 2014
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2014 Season Countdown: #90 Brian Cleary

Brian Cleary (#6)

Name: Brian Cleary
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 212 lbs.
High school: Detroit (MI) U of D Jesuit
Position: Quarterback
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #6
Last year: I ranked Cleary #57 and said he would be the third quarterback. He played in the blowout of Central Michigan but did not record any statistics.

When Russell Bellomy suffered a torn ACL in the spring of 2013, suddenly everyone wondered if unheralded walk-on Brian Cleary might be Michigan’s quarterback at some point in the season. With a gangly running starter in Devin Gardner and a true freshman Shane Morris the only other legitimate options, the 110,000-plus fans in Michigan Stadium could have seen the ghosts of Steve Threet and Nick Sheridan taking the field. Luckily, Michigan did a little better than their collective 3-9 and made it to the bowl game on the shoulders of Gardner, though Morris ended up playing in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl due to Gardner’s broken foot. The only glimpse we saw of Cleary was of him handing off the ball in a blowout of Central Michigan in the season opener.

Michigan has a little more depth in 2014 with Gardner, Morris, and Bellomy back, plus true freshman Wilton Speight. There’s a good chance that Speight will redshirt, and Bellomy, Cleary, and Speight might share snaps with the scout team. I place Cleary below Speight simply because if a spate of injuries were to occur, Speight would probably burn his redshirt. In his third year in the offense, Cleary could probably enter a game and not embarrass himself, but his skills are limited. He’ll likely be holding a clipboard on the sideline unless Michigan can destroy an opponent or two.

Prediction: Fourth string quarterback

3Jul 2013
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2013 Season Countdown: #57 Brian Cleary

Brian Cleary

Name: Brian Cleary
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 199 lbs.
High school: Detroit (MI) Jesuit
Position: Quarterback
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #6
Last year: I didn’t rank Cleary. He did not see game action.

Cleary was a total afterthought for everyone . . . until backup quarterback Russell Bellomy tore his ACL in the spring. With class of 2013 quarterback Shane Morris not arriving until June, Cleary was immediately thrust into the #2 quarterback role for the spring game. He performed adequately, but most observers are probably rightfully a little bit concerned that Cleary might have to take the reins at some point.

The battle between Morris and Cleary to back up Devin Gardner might be an interesting one. Cleary has an edge in experience, especially because Morris missed a good chunk of time due to mononucleosis his senior year. Cleary knows the playbook better and has practiced against Michigan’s defense. That might not be enough to hold off Morris, who has a cannon for an arm and some pretty good athleticism. In all likelihood, Michigan is probably going to be in very bad shape if Gardner goes down for any significant length of time.

Prediction: #3 quarterback, at least by the end of the season

2Apr 2013
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Profile: Brian Cleary

Please allow me to introduce you to Michigan’s new backup quarterback, walk-on redshirt freshman Brian Cleary.

Name:  Brian Cleary
Height:  6’3”
Weight:  199
Position:  Quarterback
High school:  University of Detroit Jesuit
Class:  Redshirt freshman

Offers:  Did not hold any Division I offers, but reported interest from much of
the MAC and many Division II and Ivy League schools

Ratings:  Ranked as a
2-star prospect to Rivals, Scout, and 24/7 Sports; unranked by ESPN and
TTB

Notes:  Carried a 4.1 high school GPA. . . .first team All-Catholic League as a junior and senior. . . .”has earned praise” from Al Borges.

Stats:  Threw for 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns with four interceptions as a senior.

Scouting:  “Accurate and has a live arm, and also capable of making throws on the run.  Also has mechanical work to do, but definitely some things to like about him as a prospect.” – Allen Trieu

Senior year highlights: