According to Rivals and Scout, Devin Gardner, a dual-threat quarterback from the class of 2010, has pledged his word to become a Michigan Wolverine. Gardner hails from Inkster High School, and measures 6-4, 200, with a 4.50 second 40-yard dash.
Recruiting Notes
Gardner appeared on Michigan fans’ radar in the summer of 2008, when he transferred from UD Jesuit to Inkster. He performed at Michigan’s 2008 summer camp as both a quarterback and a wide receiver. The staff liked him at both positions, and offered him as a QB shortly after the Rich Rodriguez 7-on-7 competition. Though Gardner had grown up a Buckeyes fan, he remained open to any school that gave him interest. Give them interest he did, as schools from LSU to Michigan to West Virginia mailed the dual-threat QB official offers. When the Buckeyes told him he wasn’t their top choice in January, he abruptly removed Ohio State from his list, and many speculated that Michigan would take over the top spot. Gardner made his meta-announcement early last week shortly before he took an unofficial to Michigan’s Day. his actual announcement came today, when he picked out the maize-and-blue hat.
Player Notes
Gardner is a big mobile QB in the Vince Young/Terrelle Pryor mold. In fact, he is often described as “The (Vince Young OR Terrelle Pryor) of the Class of 2010.” He runs like a deer, and has exceptionally quick feet, which he 
uses to escape pursuers. His throwing mechanics need a lot of work, as he has a low/sidearm release, much like that of Vince Young. Through all his current shortcomings as a player, it is important to remember that he is only a high school Junior, and it will be at least a year and a half before he hits FieldTurf: he has plenty of time to work on them (and poor mechanics didn’t seem to hurt Vince Young that much, either). On top of the tangible skills that can be quantified or easily observed, many talent evaluators have branded him with having that indescribable “it factor.” In his junior season, Devin threw for 1,886 yards, 28 touchdowns (several of them to class of ’09 Michigan commit Cameron Gordon), and 7 interceptions. He ran for 1,401 yards and 22 touchdowns. As previously mentioned, he is a bit raw, but will receive plenty of coaching when he gets to Ann Arbor. Gardner will likely be the more highly-rated quarterback in Michigan’s class of 2010, so he will likely hit the field as a freshman.
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Posted under Football, Recruiting
Tags: 2010, commitments, devin gardner
I would say that bad mechanics hurt Vince Young early in his career, although after a few years of college coaching, he got much better. But he struggled a lot in his first couple of years of college. I just looked at the college stats and they seem to agree: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vince_Young#College_career_statistics . 2005 was his good year passing but other than that, he was just an average passer.
He was mediocre as a passer, but even in his redshirt freshman year, he was also what we call a “winner.”
Keep in mind it wouldn’t be until his 4th year that Gardner would be expected to start – unless he improved enough to beat an entrenched starter.
I disagree. If Tate comes in and starts and plays well, then Devin will redshirt imo.
What are you disagreeing with? My post implied Gardner is almost certain to redshirt his freshman year, unless he comes in as a good enough player for the team to win.
Does this hurt our chances of landing Jeffrey Godfrey or Cornelius Jones, or are they guys we could move to other positions? I know Godfrey thinks of himself as a QB.
I think the best thing for Gardner’s development as a player is to redshirt for sure. Keep in mind that it is very rare to see a successful freshman QB a la Chad Henne. A redshirt year to work on his mechanics, another year under tate then a two year starter should be fine for him.
I’m disagreeing with this sentence: “Gardner will likely be the more highly-rated quarterback in Michigan’s class of 2010, so he will likely hit the field as a freshman.”
Based on your reply, I am guessing it is a typo.
I see. I didn’t necessarily mean true freshman, but I can see where sloppy wording by me might confuse you.
Still, if either Tate or Denard is not all he’s cracked up to be, we’ll still need a backup in ’10.
Cornelius Jones will most likely commit before Godfrey; that’s fine with me, as we will get 2 QB prospects that fit Rich Rod’s system perfectly. Hell, Rod offered Jones before the 2008 season, so that says alot about what the staff thinks of the kid.
The report that Jones was offered last summer was inaccurate. He was offered in January. Still, he must be pretty good to be among the first 5-6 QBs offered by RR.
I think Gardner is a big mistake. Makes horrible decisions and is a mediocre thrower.
Better QB’s being recrutied than he is–maybe RR is tired of hearing about losing in-state kids which is a stupid reason to recruit a kid.
I would have liked Godfrey or Jones.
I also don’t think you have the slightest clue what you’re talking about, so… yeah.
Grob, can I have some of what your smoking?
I still think we should have gotten AJ Westendorp. He would have obviously lead us to a NC next year and won a minimum 7 Heismans…
Don’t pay attention to backwards borg, he’s just a backwards llort.