Michigan football QB Denard Robinson says hello to Ohio State's Urban Meyer, the coach he nearly played for
CHICAGO -- While wandering in and out of one of his multiple organized interviews Thursday, Michigan football quarterback Denard Robinson bumped into the man who nearly became his coach.
That man?
Ohio State's Urban Meyer.
"I said hello to him," Robinson said during the Big Ten's annual two-day media event. "I told him my family said hello, and that's pretty much it.
"I'm at the University of Michigan now."
Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson ran into Ohio State's Urban Meyer -- the coach he nearly played for -- this week in Chicago.
Nick Baumgardner | AnnArbor.com
Robinson took serious interest in Meyer's Gators, a team that already featured two eventual Heisman Trophy winners in Tim Tebow and Cam Newton. Recruited as a position player by Meyer, rather than a quarterback, he nearly committed to Florida before ultimately deciding to roll with Rich Rodriguez and the Wolverines.
"I actually met Cam Newton when I was down there (for a visit)," Robinson said. "It was between Michigan and Florida.
"But the University of Michigan is the best university in the world. That's how I feel."
Meyer's message to Robinson this week was mainly personal. He said the current Buckeye coach told him he wished his family well, and wished him the best for the upcoming season.
"My mom asked (me) about him," Robinson said. "So I had to say something to him."
As for how he feels about Meyer being in charge of his team's most hated rival? Robinson says he's pretty indifferent.
He nearly played for Meyer once, and he developed a bond with him years ago.
But, as Robinson puts it, this is Michigan and Ohio State -- nothing else matters now.
"I have respect for every team we play, and (Ohio State) is a great team," he said. "But it's 'The Game.' "
Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
Comments
OldBittyBates
Sat, Jul 28, 2012 : 7:31 p.m.
Al Borges will have a lot of work getting Morris ready to be the next leader at QB. There are only two names likely to be Michigan's next main man - and those are Bellomy or Morris. Gardner seems for sure to be a receiver going forward. Robinson is a mystery for this season, since he will have a difficult time reaching the level of perfection at QB everyone is expecting. I wish Denard well, but can plainly see he will not be a quarterback if he makes it into the NFL. Urban Meyer is quietly striving to become the next Jim Tressel or Woody Hayes. He is sure to be a major pain for Wolverine fans everywhere. Gee I sure hate that school in Ohio.
Yost Ghost
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 1:46 p.m.
If you look at Drob's performance last year he was actually pretty effective once he acclimated to Borges offense. Remember this was his 2nd offensive system in 3 years. If you look at his numbers after the first few games his completion percentage was better and his int's were down. That tells me that Drob is going to be more productive this year now that he's comfortable in Borges' offense. He's never going to be perfect but he will be better.
Matt Patercsak
Sun, Jul 29, 2012 : 1:34 a.m.
Morris doesn't need to be a star, he just needs to manage the offense and be effective in his role. Being an elite athlete helps of course. As Michigan fans we have forgotten that good pro style offenses don't revolve around one player.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Sat, Jul 28, 2012 : 9:29 p.m.
Seems more like a Tressel to me.
lindor
Sat, Jul 28, 2012 : 12:56 p.m.
Gotta love this kid!
MRunner73
Fri, Jul 27, 2012 : 7:28 p.m.
Denard is a respectful person not matter what. It would be amusing to see how well everyone is getting along and saying nice things about each other. Actually, much to do about nothing.
KeepingItReal
Fri, Jul 27, 2012 : 6:31 p.m.
Shane Norris will probably turn out to be a mediocre B10 QB once he face the speed and quickness of to talent http://annarbor.com/sports/um-football/denard-robinson-says-hello-to-ohio-states-urban-meyer-the-coach-he-nearly-committed-to/#.
Yost Ghost
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 12:58 p.m.
Yeah that's why he's being invited to Elite camps all over the country and in the face of increased competition from the best athletes he's being ranked 1st or 2nd in all of them. But yeah you're probably right he'll suck. Sheesh.
Nic
Sun, Jul 29, 2012 : 7:51 p.m.
Or is that another qb besides shane Morris who is supposed to lead us to the promised land? Maybe it's chuck norris's son huh?
7718
Sat, Jul 28, 2012 : 2:51 a.m.
Be careful what you say Keepingitreal, the Michigan faithful will turn on you if you say anything less than Shane Morris being the next Dan Marino. The faithful are banking on Morris to carry them to the promised land for the next four years. Realistically, it will take him a couple of years to get acclimated and even then he may not pan out. Like you, I prefer a more cautious view and don't want to get my hopes up. But that's just my opinion.
ThoseWhoStayUofM
Fri, Jul 27, 2012 : 6:10 p.m.
I'm just waiting for Shane Morris to randomly show up and photo bomb Urban at some point....