Tag: Wilton Speight

Ranking Michigan’s Quarterbacks

Drew Henson (image via Detroit News)

This was originally posted on March 17, 2017. It has been updated following the 2022 season.

Sports fans love to debate the greatness of players and rank them in order from most revered to most despised. And while despised probably doesn’t fit any of these players, since they played for the University of Michigan, we all have our favorites. I have endeavored to achieve the un-possible: Rank all of Michigan’s starting quarterbacks.

Okay, that’s too tall of a task for me right now. I’m working up to it. So I’m only going back to 1995, which was the beginning of the Lloyd Carr era. That’s the earliest full coaching tenure where I can count on my recollections of Michigan football. I was a big fan of Bo Schembechler, Gary Moeller, and the Michigan Wolverines before then, but I’ll be damned if I say I was aware enough to understand what was happening on the field.

This ranking only takes into account what the quarterbacks achieved wearing the winged helmet. High school highlight tapes and NFL performance aren’t taken into account. (After all, we can agree that Tom Brady is far and away the best quarterback who ever played the game of football, and that includes Uncle Rico.)

So if you were starting a season with your pick of any Michigan QB since 1995, which one would you take?

On with the show:

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Ex-Wolverines: Class of 2014

I like to put a little bow on each recruiting class after those players finish their college careers, so here’s a step toward reflecting on the 2014 class. Michigan had six players transfer out of the program from the class, and four of them ended up starting at other FBS schools. Only one player decommitted, which is unlikely to happen again in the current recruiting climate (for example, Michigan suffered four decommitments in the 2021 class).

Hit the jump for a look back.

Class of 2014: By the Numbers

SITE NEWS UPDATE: Last week I asked for help paying the $1,250 Flywheel hosting fee (LINK), and you guys donated $1,066.77. Thanks to Luis and Mark for the most recent donations! This is the last time I’ll explicitly bring this up before moving on because I’m appreciative of all the generosity so far, but if you want to help cover the last $150 or so, it would also be appreciated.

I recently did a summary of the 2015 class that was an interesting look back at their five years on campus (LINK). The class of 2014 was Brady Hoke’s final complete class before he was fired, so here’s a look at how that group fared over five years. Michigan landed 17 players in the pack, which ranked 20th in the country according to the 247 Composite.

Hit the jump for the rundown.

A Few Thoughts on Rounds 4-7, UDFA

After the day one and day two results (LINK), Michigan got one more player drafted on day three.

Zach Gentry – TE – Pittsburgh Steelers: Round 5, #141 overall
Gentry had subpar performances at both the Combine and pro day, but I guess it’s important to remember that he got invited to the Combine for a reason. At 6’8″ and 260 lbs. with some impressive plays over the past two seasons, he has some things going for him. I projected that he wouldn’t go higher than the 7th round due to a 4.92 forty (at the Combine) and a poor showing on the bench press, the Steelers found him worthy of drafting, perhaps to help replace Jesse James (who signed with the Lions). I like Gentry and I think he could hang around the NFL for a decent career.

Hit the jump for more.

2019 NFL Draft Preview: Michigan

This is one of the most exciting NFL Draft seasons for Michigan fans in years, probably even surpassing the 2017 draft when Taco Charlton was taken in the first round, Jourdan Lewis seemed like a borderline first rounder, and several others were drafted. A couple players are expected to go in the first round, and another player is considered to be one of the top few players at his position.

Hit the jump for more.