Paulus? Puh-lease.
Former Duke Point Guard Greg Paulus wants to get into football. This probably seems like a really good April fool’s Joke, Right? Well, the joke’s on you.
Back in High School, before he chose to play basketball, Paulus held two football scholarship offers from two storied programs: Notre Dame and Miami (FL). Paulus was even a former Gatorade football player of the year. He also played in the U.S. Army All-American game and set six records in the state of New York. He compiled a record in high school of 42-3. Sounds like he chose the wrong sport, huh?
Well, hindsight is always 20/20, or is it?
On Tuesday, Greg was in Ann Arbor watching the Wolverines play football. He was talking to Coach Rodriguez about maybe playing Quarterback at Michigan. Rodriguez simply told him what he tells everyone: “You’ll have a chance to compete for the “Starting Job”. It’s the mantra he’s breeding into Michigan. Paulus and the National Media are taking that sentiment to heart.
To be fair, Michigan does have three scholarships to spend on this year, and with Steven Threet transferring this past winter, another warm body wouldn’t hurt. True. But, it also doesn’t make any sense.
For starters Paulus hasn’t played the game in four to five years. The speed of the game changes drastically from high school to college and so does the terminology. That’s rust you can’t just shake off in a fall camp. Second: Paulus isn’t looking to be a back-up. Sorry Greg, but you’ll have to compete against Nick Sheridan and Tate Forcier. Sheridan, who has started for Rich Rod, was showing confidence and comfort within the system through spring practice until his injury. No worries though, he’ll be back for fall camp when/ if Paulus comes to Michigan. With Sheridan’s injury, Tate stepped up and into the presumed starting role. Forcier, who has been working with the ones on offense, is more like a QB that Rodriguez utilizes in his system. The kid is slippery and can throw the ball on the run. He has players and fans alike gravitating towards his confidence and seems to be the anointed heir apparent to the Steven Threet “era”.
You have to also consider incoming freshman Denard Robinson. He’ll be on campus on June 5th. He is also another player slotted to compete for the “vacant” starting job at Michigan. Denard has been in frequent contact with QB Coach Rod Smith learning the playbook and the system on a weekly basis. He also runs a 4.38 40- yard, and a 10.28 100 meter dash (a would-be record in the state of Michigan).
So unless Paulus is a freak of nature, it’s more likely than not he will be that warm body holding a clipboard, sending in decoy plays from the sidelines with David Cone. There are just too many factors; whether it is from the NCAA not granting him a year of eligibility, or the players already at Michigan that will prohibit him from being a real contributor to the offense. Not to mention Division-I talent on opposing teams. A scholarship allegedly has been offered from Michigan and Syracuse and Duke is looking at Paulus as a WR, but it seems Greg is more suited for basketball as his 95 games of starting experience shows. End of story.