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Posted on Thu, Apr 15, 2010 : 6 a.m.

Michigan spring football game a chance to see quarterbacks and more

By Dave Birkett

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Michigan quarterbacks Denard Robinson, left, and Tate Forcier rifle passes to their respective receivers on March 23. Michigan wraps up its spring workouts on Saturday with a scrimmage at Michigan Stadium. (Photo: Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com)

By all accounts, Denard Robinson has made tremendous strides at quarterback this spring, so much so that he’s pushing Tate Forcier for the starting job.

But Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said he won’t name a starter after Saturday’s spring football game and may not until later this fall.

“I don’t think we’ll have a definitive order until toward the end of camp and maybe not even then,” Rodriguez said. “But if we can get all three (quarterbacks) ready and feel comfortable that we can play all three, that would be a great situation for us.”

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All eyes will be on Robinson, Forcier and true freshman Devin Gardner during Michigan’s 15th and final spring practice Saturday. The open scrimmage at Michigan Stadium is free to the public.

Rodriguez said he’s confident Michigan can win this fall with either Forcier, who started all 12 games last year as a true freshman, or Robinson, his primary backup, at quarterback. Gardner, an early enrollee, is “slowly getting there,” too.

“He’s going to have the skill set that we want at that position in our offense,” Rodriguez said. “He’s got a chance (to play as a true freshman). Those other guys aren’t going to back up though, either. I think it gives us a pretty good situation and certainly I think he’s got a great future here.”

The three quarterbacks combined to complete 32 of 43 passes (74 percent) for 266 yards in last week’s closed scrimmage, a workout Rodriguez said was more important to their development than Saturday’s for-show exercise.

Because of injuries, Michigan won’t play a true spring game. Instead, the Wolverines will scrimmage offense versus defense in controlled situations.

Still, Rodriguez said there’s plenty to gain from the weekend.

“It’s important because it is a scrimmage-type situation and hopefully there’ll be a nice crowd and there’ll be a little bit of nerves for the young guys that haven’t played,” he said. “And to see how they react to (not having) coaches standing right behind them kind of reminding them what to do or telling them what to do. So from that aspect it’s important.”

Beyond the quarterbacks, Saturday’s game will be the first chance to see some of Michigan’s other spring standouts live.

Redshirt freshman Cam Gordon has all but locked up the free safety job with a strong spring. Gordon switched to defense after playing scout-team receiver last year.

True freshman running back Stephen Hopkins, like Gardner an early enrollee, has played well enough this spring to earn a role in Michigan’s backfield by committee.

And redshirt freshman Taylor Lewan is pushing for the starting spot at left tackle after adding some 15 pounds in his first year on campus. Perry Dorrestein also is in the mix, though Rodriguez said the starter there “probably (won’t) be determined until the fall.”

“We’re not ready to anoint him just yet, but he’s had a really good spring,” Rodriguez said of Lewan. “He’s still got a lot to learn. He hasn’t played yet, but he’s certainly a guy that this spring he showed us a few things and if he continues on this path he’s going to be a really good player.”

Briefly Another much anticipated Wolverine making his public debut Saturday is cornerback Justin Turner. One of the highest-ranked players in Michigan’s 2009 recruiting class, Turner redshirted last year and spent the spring working with the second-team defense.

Rodriguez said Turner remains a cornerback for now, but could eventually move to safety.

“We want to make sure that he’s 100 percent solid on all the corner assignments and all the techniques,” Rodriguez said. “As it progresses further and he gets comfortable in that position, he’s a guy that probably could play some safety. But right now we’re just keeping him at one position.”

Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.

Comments

Terry Star21

Fri, Apr 16, 2010 : 4:27 p.m.

GoBlue... I hear you man.. need Wolfolk at safety... gotta believe Floyd and Turner will improve, really do... I agree on this Anderson kid... keep watching.... no disasters this year, please. I keep a really positive mind that it is really going to fall in place come September. I do understand the concerns you and other good fans have, some of the problems you see this year. Let's just keep positive mind, hope for the best, and trust our coaches... stay tuned.

GoblueinNE_PA

Fri, Apr 16, 2010 : 11:37 a.m.

Woolfolk we need back at Safety. Anything that puts Kovacks back on the field is freakin' disaster, IMO. Turner and Floyd at the corners would be scary, the bad scary, at first, but I think it's where we need to be. This is the problem I've got with next year's team. Too many holes, trying to be filled w/too many young guys. I struggle w/how we get to 7 wins.

mgobluegold

Thu, Apr 15, 2010 : 6:18 p.m.

GoblueinNE_PA... Wolfolk and Floyd seem to have the inside track right now at CB, but Turner could change that quickly... look for Tony Anderson as well... I'm pretty big on Gordon at safety, and I'm watching for him to really do well tis year... I hear you on the QB battle, hearing way too much this early... never thought I'd say this but, you know I am really not to worried at QB right now, gotta believe we're gonna be okay...

Terry Star21

Thu, Apr 15, 2010 : 2:03 p.m.

Tate had a slight ankle sprain, is back in practice today - don't know the status or projection for his workout... be patient... we'll all hope... Tater's right about Forcier, injured, hanging in there the rest of the season... lot of insults on him about pressure, hits, etc. - but the faithfull know and will never use his injuries as an excuse. Question; ever try to through a football with force/accuracy with pain and extension reflex problems - try it at a high level, no excuses... just saying... Theo the master is right of course, RichRod our king will be here for a long time.... hopefully, we can convince D.Hart's mom, whom he loves and goes strongly on her words... Quarterbacks @ the Spring Game - a fierce storm of thunder and lightning touchdowns.

GoblueinNE_PA

Thu, Apr 15, 2010 : 11:29 a.m.

I'm excited about Lewan. I think that kid has the potential to be a real player. If he keeps adding muscle, he's going to be freakin' huge. Also, who's starting at CB if Turner is running w/the 2's? I can't be the only one who was pretty much counting on him to step in and start this season. If he can't crack the starting line up and they are talking about him moving to safety, what's that say. I'm not even interested in the QB battle, if any one other than Tate starts next season, we're in big trouble.

81wolverine

Thu, Apr 15, 2010 : 7:46 a.m.

It's good to hear Denard has improved a lot. That will be good for Michigan in many ways including pushing Tate to improve as well. I still think Gardner is the long-term answer at QB. But, it's going to take time for him to learn the system.

wvtroll

Thu, Apr 15, 2010 : 7:33 a.m.

Theo212, They'd probably only ask what took him so long. Good luck on the new season. It's always great to see legends (the team, not the coach) reborn.

thomas h blaske

Thu, Apr 15, 2010 : 7:21 a.m.

wtka reporting that tate is wearing a boot around campus. foot or ankle injury?

NoBowl4Blue

Thu, Apr 15, 2010 : 5:46 a.m.

I wonder if a QB will emerge from all the extra secret practice?