Michigan has a quarterback battle in progress, but the job is still Wilton Speight’s to lose.
The redshirt junior was a surprise starter last season, throwing for over 2,500 yards with 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He struggled down the stretch, missing on some throws, but a shoulder injury and some poor pass protection (many blame him for a pick on a poor throw from his own end zone at OSU, but his arm was hit after a back missed his assignment) had something to do with that.
Speight had a shoulder surgery in the offseason and is 100 percent after a great summer. Senior Mason Cole, last year’s center and this year’s left tackle, has complete confidence in him.
“People don’t really see how hard he works, and see what stands out … how intelligent he is,” Cole said. “He studies the game inside and out, time in offseason studying the game.
“Being a leader as a quarterback can be touchy. One thing he does bring is emotion to the game. When we score a touchdown and see the quarterback react and get excited like he does, it adds so much excitement to the offensive line. That’s something Wilton does a good job of.”
Redshirt freshman Brandon Peters has a world of natural ability, but he’s not what you’d call ‘vocal.’ He has a long way to go when it comes to leadership. Fifth-year senior John O’Korn has been around and is having a good fall, but Speight has a huge head start when it comes to Big Ten game experience.
He’s also tougher than given credit for, Cole said.
“People don’t realize a lot of things about Wilton. One is he’s a tough kid,” Cole said. “To play with the injury he had two weeks later … that’s one tough kid right there. As a quarterback throwing the ball every time, that’s toughness. People don’t realize that about him.”
That sentiment, shared by most in the locker room, and his experience is why it’s a no-brainer Speight will start the opener against Florida in Arlington, Texas Sept. 3.
Cole Not Worried About The Offensive Line
Battles are raging in camp right now with only two positions set — left tackle and left guard. Cole isn’t worried in the least about this year’s line, however.
“The guys coming in are just as talented as the other guys were,” he said. “They’re going to have to play soon, mature fast. They’ve already taken a step to that. The big thing is guys on the offensive line are willing to compete. Three, four, five ... however many jobs are open, guys are ready to compete and go get a job.”
Sophomore Mike Onwenu lost weight and is moving better, but he’s being pushed by frosh Cesar Ruiz and others. All of the linemen bought into the program and worked hard in the weight room this summer, Cole added.
“[I’m confident] just because of the talent we have underneath us,” he said. “Look at the recruiting classes we had, the last two, three years. We’re only getting better from here. Look at these young kids we have, the incoming freshmen … they’re so incredibly talented. With that comes confident for all of us.”
True frosh Chuck Filiaga is 6-7 and 340 pounds (“and a good 340,” Cole said), while Ruiz might be too good to sit.
“Cesar is going to be a really good ball player, maybe this year maybe next year,” Cole said. “Really good. I can’t wait to see him progress. Even from when he got here, he’s progressed … he’s a great football player, knows the game inside and out. As a young kid, he knows the game better than I did and most do as a freshman.”
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