Devin Gardner once burned an Ohio State recruiting letter, says he's ready to play in 'The Game'

Michigan junior quarterback Devin Gardner once burned an Ohio State recruiting letter. Now, he'll finally get his chance to play against the Buckeyes. Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

ANN ARBOR -- Devin Gardner was once recruited by Urban Meyer to play football at Florida.

But he doesn't want to talk about that.

The Michigan junior was also offered a scholarship, once upon a time, by Ohio State. And several years later, Gardner says he cannot find that Jim Tressel-issued offer letter.

Because he burned it.

"Yes, I did (burn the letter)," Gardner admitted with a laugh Monday. "But I had already committed to the University of Michigan.

"And I was pretty bitter that they didn't offer me a scholarship."

Gardner says he's not sure what might have happened if Ohio State had offered him before he committed to Michigan, saying that, as a recruit, he took a look at every school that showed interest in him.

Current 2013 Michigan commit Logan Tuley-Tillman did the same thing this past summer when Urban Meyer sent him a letter tucked inside an Ohio State envelope. Tuley-Tillman broadcast his letter-burning episode on Twitter.

Gardner, of course, did not. But that doesn't mean he didn't get the same type of reaction.

"My brother texted me and told me I shouldn't have done that," Gardner laughed.

Fast forward to the present, and Gardner is about to finally have his first on-field Michigan-Ohio State moment.

Michigan coach Brady Hoke wouldn't say who his starting quarterback will be Saturday in Columbus (12 p.m., ABC), but it's a safe bet Gardner -- who says his most vivid Michigan-Ohio State memory is the No. 1 vs. No. 2 game in 2006 -- will be doing some work under center against the Buckeyes.

In his past three starts, Gardner is 46 of 70 through the air for 834 yards, 7 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. He's also rushed for 6 scores on the ground.

When the Wolverines visited Ohio Stadium two seasons ago, Gardner watched the game from the sidelines as a freshman, hoping he'd one day get a shot to make his mark on the "The Horseshoe."

Saturday, he finally gets his chance.

"The last time I was down there I was a freshman and I watched from the sideline," Gardner said. "It was an amazing environment. The entire time, although we lost and were losing, I couldn't wait to get the opportunity to be a key element in the rivalry.

"It's going to be exciting."

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