Michigan Football: Quarterback is no longer a problem at Michigan

from Detroit News
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080501/OPINION03/805010367/1131/SPORTS0201

Sam Webb: Recruiting

QB is no longer a problem at U-M

Ever since Rich Rodriguez took the Michigan job in December, most conversations about Michigan recruiting revolved around securing a quarterback that could run Rodriguez's new system. So when Terrelle Pryor cast his lot with Ohio State in March, panic set in for many in Maize and Blue land. That wasn't the case, however, in Schembechler Hall.

Top-flight recruiters share one invaluable trait -- a short memory. When Rodriguez uttered his now common catch phrase, "I only talk about guys that play for Michigan," in response to a reporter's query about Pryor's decision, he drew criticism. It was a move that should have drawn praise. In recruiting there is no time to cry over the love that's lost, especially when there's always a new love right around the corner.

From the moment Pryor fitted that OSU cap on his head, Rodriguez was looking for a new apple of his eye.

Chesapeake, Va., quarterback Kevin Newsome racked up nearly 30 scholarship offers in the three months following his eye-catching performance at the Army All-American combine in January. He was one of the most heavily pursued quarterbacks in the country, and the Wolverines wanted in. With assistant coach Fred Jackson spearheading the recruiting effort, Rodriguez set out to separate Michigan from the pack, and the duo did just that.

"I cannot walk anywhere in my house without seeing something from Michigan -- a letter or something," Newsome told Scout.com. "They are recruiting me the hardest."

Turning up the heat
When Newsome and his family made their way to Ann Arbor for the April 12 spring game, the heat was turned up even more.

"We spent almost two hours talking to Coach Rodriguez," recalled Newsome's father, Kevin Sr. "He seemed like a hands-on coach that's really going to get down to business. He seemed to be really excited about being at the level of football that Michigan is known to be at. He is just ready to get to work."

Added the younger Newsome: "He's a great coach. I love the tradition at Michigan. I think he'll be very successful there. Just look at what he was able to do at West Virginia. That's really impressive."

Twelve days later, Newsome proved just how impressed he was when he pledged to Michigan.

"Newsome may not run like Terrelle Pryor, but he is not far off," said Scout.com regional analyst Bob Lichtenfels. "At the same stage of their careers, Newsome may be the better passer."

Second prospect commits
At 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, Newsome is definitely a primetime runner, as well. He boasts a 4.4 time in the 40, a 35-inch vertical, and a personal best 55-meter hurdle time of 7.37 seconds. Scout.com currently ranks him as the No. 5 quarterback in the country and No. 41 player overall. Landing one field general with that kind of talent is a tall order. That's why Michigan's ability to land Scout.com's No. 22 signal-caller (Shavodrick Beaver of Wichita Falls, Texas) on the heels of landing Newsome is all the more impressive.

"(Newsome's commitment) didn't affect me at all because I know if I go anywhere else, I'm still going to have to compete for the quarterback position," Beaver said after committing to the Wolverines on Tuesday. "It was mainly the opportunity to play in an offense like the one I play in high school. I think it's just best for me and the skills I have. I'm just looking to compete for that starting job."

At 6-4, 195 and capable of running a 4.5, Beaver's athleticism caused many coaches to covet him at other positions, but he maintained a clear preference for where he lines up in college.

"Other schools were looking at me at receiver, but I'm a quarterback," Beaver said emphatically. "I read defenses well, I don't try to force things, and when nothing is open I will run the ball. I'm a playmaker.

"I'm going to keep fighting every single day until I'm the starting quarterback. That's how it is. That's what I was recruited as."

Like Beaver, Newsome also is unfazed by having to compete for time.

He too believes in his ability to become an immediate factor.

"I can get away from defenders and my strongest attribute is my confidence," Newsome says.

Sam Webb is managing editor of GoBlueWolverine magazine and GoBlueWolverine.com, and co-host of the "Michigan Insider" morning show weekdays on Sports Talk 1050 WTKA. His column appears every Thursday.