Devin Gardner : All posts

Michigan's Devin Gardner, Jerald Robinson taking Roy Roundtree's snaps at receiver

Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner has teamed up with Jerald Robinson to take the bulk of the practice reps that normally go to Roy Roundtree.

Devin Gardner

Who has absorbed his reps at flanker?

“Obviously I think Devin falls into that a little bit," coach Brady Hoke said, referring to quarterback/receiver Devin Gardner. "I think we’re liking when he goes out there and liking when he’s taking snaps under center. Devin’s an athlete."

with poll: Jake Ryan, Devin Gardner among possible Michigan football breakout players to watch in 2012

Michigan football linebacker Jake Ryan is one of several players who could enjoy a breakout campaign in 2012.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

In 2010, Michigan football quarterback Denard Robinson went from exciting to dynamic in just one afternoon.

In 2011, the Wolverines began the season with immense uncertainty behind Robinson in the backfield, but ended the year with Fitz Toussaint becoming the first Michigan running back since 2007 to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark.

Russell Bellomy's no 'Shoelace,' but his QB aptitude and confidence has Michigan excited

Michigan football quarterback Russell Bellomy has impressed coaches with his ability to learn quickly and play confident.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

When reporters and photographers were ushered into Al Glick Field House on Sunday for the Michigan football team's annual media day, a small open door framed a portrait of who, exactly, people were there to see.

Standing outside in the bright sunshine for a photo shoot was senior quarterback Denard Robinson, sporting his trademark smile and long flowing dreadlocks, and junior signal-caller Devin Gardner, who accompanied his freshly cut mohawk with a slick pair of sunglasses.

Robinson and Gardner have done this before, they know the drill.

Some 50 feet inside the building, cautiously taking questions from a handful of reporters for the first time ever at Michigan was Bellomy.

There were no sunglasses. No mohawk. No ear-to-ear grin.

Devin Gardner hopes his future is at quarterback, but eager to help Michigan at receiver

Devin Gardner remains a quarterback first, and wants it that way. But he's willing to play some receiver as well to help his team.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

The Michigan football team lost starting receivers Junior Hemingway and Darryl Stonum this offseason, and now Roy Roundtree, the unquestioned leader of this year's corps, is out two weeks after having knee surgery.

It has some hoping junior quarterback Devin Gardner can make the move to receiver full time, following his well-publicized audition at wideout in the spring.

He's big, he's athletic and there's a need.

Only thing: Gardner still wants to play quarterback, and still aspires to be Denard Robinson's successor.

Al Borges says Devin Gardner's situation is different than Charles Woodson's two-position run in '97

Michigan offensive coordinator Al Borges says Devin Gardner's role as a wide receiver is still very much a work in progress.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

In fact, he got an up-close and personal look at the Michigan football program's most famous modern two-spot star in 1997.

"When I was (an assistant) at UCLA, we came here when they had Charles Woodson," the second-year Michigan offensive coordinator recalled. "We came in the spring, and we were curious because we had a kid we were curious about doing similar stuff with."

Devin Gardner takes more snaps at wide receiver, Michigan football teammates say he's a natural fit

Michigan's Devin Gardner took more snaps at wide receiver Monday, and teammates say he's been impressive thus far.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

"Devin would go out there and talk smack to all the (defensive backs)," Roundtree quipped. "And I'm just sitting on the sideline thinking, 'man, what's about to happen?' "

Gardner, the team's athletic backup quarterback, began taking a few pass-catching snaps during spring drills in March and continued to do so through the summer.

On Monday, Michigan held its first official 2012 fall camp practice, and once again, Gardner spent time lining up on the outside.

Only this time, Roundtree -- who is expected to be the team's top wideout this season -- had no more questions.

"He's backing his talking up," Roundtree said. "He's getting better."

Michigan football junior Devin Gardner officially switches to No. 12, still listed as a QB

Michigan junior Devin Gardner will officially wear No. 12 next season. Presently, he's still listed as a quarterback on the roster.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

But has yet to change positions.

The Michigan football team unveiled its 2012 media guide for the first time Thursday, updating heights, weights and number changes on its roster. And Gardner, a 6-foot-4, 206-pound junior, has officially switched from No. 7 to No. 12.

Michigan football over-under: How much time will Devin Gardner see at wide receiver?

How much time will Michigan's Devin Gardner spend at wide receiver in 2012?

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

After tinkering with different formation packages at quarterback last season, Michigan football junior Devin Gardner spent a portion of spring drills working out at wide receiver.

Brady Hoke and the coaching staff refused to comment on the matter, saying Gardner was Michigan's backup quarterback first and foremost.

But the receiver rumors never went away. Sources confirmed the situation, and the national media ran with the story as well.

Is Michigan QB Devin Gardner switching to WR Roy Roundtree's old number? Video indicates so

Devin Gardner became a man of intrigue this spring, when it was learned the Michigan football team's backup quarterback was practicing at receiver.

Does that mean he's switching positions? At least on a part-time basis?

No one knows.

But it does appear he's at least switching numbers.

Michigan offensive coordinator Al Borges still advocating for expanding Devin Gardner's role next year

Backup quarterback Devin Gardner could see an expanded role next season for the Michigan football team, offensive coordinator Al Borges says.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

Offensive coordinator Al Borges continues to maintain backup quarterback Devin Gardner will play an even greater role in the Michigan football team's offense next season.

Gardner, a junior from Inkster High School, is a physical specimen at 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds. He was the No. 1 dual-threat quarterback in the nation coming out of high school, according to Scout.

But he also happens to play the same position as record-setting senior Denard Robinson, who returns for his third tour of starting duty.

Borges wants Gardner on the field anyway, and doesn't mind getting creative to do it.

Michigan says Devin Gardner Facebook account that posted WR update isn't real

Backup quarterback Devin Gardner experimented at wide receiver for the Michigan football team this spring. This is known.

But the rumors he could make the move this fall -- or at least see part-time action there, while remaining Denard Robinson's No. 2 -- picked up steam Thursday afternoon when a Facebook account bearing Gardner's name posted: "Looks like imma catch them TD's this year. ... Just certain packages. Our wide out core is going to be really solid this year."

A Michigan spokesman, however, says the account is not run by Gardner.

"The Facebook account many have referred to as Devin Gardner’s and the quote/post attributed to him (regarding) catching touchdowns is not his account," the spokesman said in an email, after the post circulated on Twitter and local sports radio.

Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.

6 risers and fallers from Michigan football team's spring camp

It was an uneventful spring camp for the Michigan football team -- and that's a good thing for a club that has 15 starters back from an 11-2 campaign.

Coach Brady Hoke wasn't changing up schemes. He has most of his playmakers back. He has established leaders, and depth at several key positions (with both lines being a notable exception).

He mostly was looking to get out healthy after 15 practices, and he did that, aside from some lumps here and there. But a few surprises did emerge along the way.

It's prudent to not read too much into the spring game -- which featured Denard Robinson for only one series, for example, and only base schemes on both sides of the ball, for another.

But, judging from what we saw Saturday, bolstered by camp reports from players and coaches, here are some risers and fallers from Michigan's spring:

Denard Robinson's solid camp allows Devin Gardner and Russell Bellomy to get QB reps in Michigan spring game

Michigan redshirt freshman quarterback Russell Bellomy was 6-of-9 passing for 36 yards and showed good elusiveness during Saturday's Spring Game at Michigan Stadium.

Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com

Senior quarterback Denard Robinson has started the past two seasons for the Michigan football team, and played a year in the Wolverines' spread-West Coast system.

He has some kinks to work out, but also is a proven commodity.

Devin Gardner is not. Neither is Russell Bellomy.

So, the Wolverines' coaching staff decided to use their 60-play spring game Saturday to allow Gardner and Bellomy a chance to show their stuff during scrimmage-like conditions in front of an estimated 25,000 fans at Michigan Stadium.

Michigan tinkering with Devin Gardner at receiver, but emphasis remains developing him as quarterback

Michigan junior Devin Gardner appeared in nine games last year at quarterback.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

But the Wolverines' offensive coordinator also conceded that, yes, there's some experimentation going on this spring.

Someone who has observed several spring practices told AnnArbor.com that Gardner has practiced regularly at receiver, running with both the first and second units. The person went as far to say Gardner has been "definitely one of their best options at receiver."

He also is taking his regular snaps at quarterback.

Borges has yet to directly confirm Gardner is practicing at wideout, but continues to maintain he would like to get the junior on the field in whatever way possible.

"He's going to be (the) No. 2 quarterback, and then see how things go," Borges said, when asked about Gardner's role. "Our approach with Devin hasn't changed too much. We got to find a way to get him on the field, because he's got skills that go over and above your average quarterback."

Devin Gardner contending for expanded role with Michigan football team, but where remains a mystery

Michigan offensive coordinator Al Borges says Devin Gardner is part of his philosophy to 'play the best 11 guys.'

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

Al Borges spoke to the media for the first time this spring. But perhaps the most intriguing thing to come out of the 20 minutes with the Michigan football team's offensive coordinator on Monday was something he didn't say at all.

Asked if backup quarterback Devin Gardner is working out at receiver this spring, Borges replied: "Practices are closed for a reason."

The Wolverines have made no secret they would like to make Gardner a regular component of their offense, and they did that last year when they added a "deuce formation" that got him on the field at quarterback.

Regular quarterback Denard Robinson moved to tailback or receiver in those sets, although he never ran routes.

Borges said the plan will be similar going forward.

"We're doing what we did a year ago, pretty much," he said. "We're going to play the best 11 guys. Devin's a backup quarterback right now, he's No. 2 and we're going to do what we've got to do to get the best 11 on the field.

"We've pretty much got the same mentality that we had."

Notebook: Michigan football quarterback Denard Robinson is 'fine' after wrist sprain vs. Illinois

After leaving a game due to injury for the fourth time in Michigan's past five outings Saturday at Illinois, junior quarterback Denard Robinson returned to the practice field Sunday.

"He threw the ball very well last night," Michigan football coach Brady Hoke said Monday. "He's fine. He's just got a little sprain on his wrist, and he's in good shape."

Denard Robinson goes down with another injury, but Devin Gardner picks up the save in relief

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- For the fourth time in the last five games, Michigan junior quarterback Denard Robinson left a game due to injury.

Michigan football coach Brady Hoke said Robinson suffered a bruise to his wrist, and said, "he'll be OK" moving forward.

Robinson's injury was nothing new, but his replacement's performance seemed slightly different this time around.

"(Robinson) could've came back in late," Hoke said of his starter, who finished 6-for-10 passing for 92 yards, an interception and who fumbled twice. "But Devin was already doing some pretty good things."

Sophomore quarterback Devin Gardner wasn't spectacular in relief of Robinson, but he got the job done, ultimately closing out the Wolverines' 31-14 win Saturday at Illinois.

Notebook: Michigan football players spend their day of rest getting work done

Seniors such as Michigan offensive lineman David Molk, defensive tackle Mike Martin, tight end Kevin Koger and defensive end Ryan Van Bergen didn't stay away from Schembechler Hall on their off week.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

Kevin Koger had a revelation Saturday during the Michigan football team's lone off date of the season.

"I figured I need a hobby," the senior tight end said. "I didn't have football, so I was at home thinking, 'What do I do now?' "

Michigan coach Brady Hoke urged his players to take a few days to get away from the team's football facilities, explaining they needed mental and physical breaks.

Did they listen?

"No, I was there," Michigan senior defensive lineman Ryan Van Bergen said. "A lot of the seniors are going to be around that building, regardless of what coach says.

"We wanted to get in and get to work; there's a lot of football left to be played."

Brady Hoke updates Denard Robinson's health, gives thoughts on dual-QB system

Following Michigan's 28-14 loss at Michigan State on Saturday, football coach Brady Hoke offered little information on quarterback Denard Robinson's injury status.

On Monday, it was more of the same. Hoke said Robinson's departure in the fourth quarter was due to a back bruise.

During the Big Ten coaches teleconference Tuesday, Hoke said the junior quarterback felt better Monday and shouldn't miss any game time moving forward.

"He should be fine," Hoke said. "He was better yesterday. I think he just took a shot in the back. He's in good shape."

Denard Robinson mum on injury, Devin Gardner fares no better in Michigan loss

EAST LANSING -- After being chased, harassed and drilled for the better part of the second half, the final hit of the game against Michigan junior quarterback Denard Robinson proved to be one too many.

After throwing an incomplete pass to Jeremy Gallon late in the fourth quarter, Robinson was thrown to the ground by Michigan State redshirt freshman defensive end Marcus Rush.

Rush was flagged for a personal foul, one of five MSU had Saturday, while Robinson was helped to the sidelines and did not return.

Following the game, neither Michigan coach Brady Hoke, nor Robinson, detailed the severity of the injury, or what exactly was injured for that matter.

"He got beat up a little bit, yeah," Hoke said. "I really don't know what it is, yet."