Former Michigan quarterback Steven Threet quietly resurfaces, wins starting job at Arizona State
Arizona State quarterback Steven Threet, center, searches for a receiver in the first quarter Saturday. Threet, who started eight games for Michigan in 2008, is the starting quarterback at Arizona State.
Associated Press
Heaps of attention have been paid to Ryan Mallett, the former Michigan quarterback who's been labeled a sure-fire Heisman Trophy contender and can’t-miss first-round NFL Draft prospect at Arkansas. He’s not the only former Wolverines quarterback starting elsewhere this fall. Far away from the spotlight, Steven Threet has quietly resurfaced as Arizona State’s starting quarterback after winning a two-way race during summer camp.
On Saturday, he made his first start in 22 months, completing 14 of 21 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns in a season-opening win over Portland State. “It was a lot of fun to get back out there,” he said Tuesday. “I was a little antsy before the game. It had been a while since I played.” It’s been a long road for Threet, who’s in the unusual position of college journeyman. He arrived at Georgia Tech in 2007 as one of the top 10 quarterback prospects in the nation, 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds, but after the coaching staff that recruited him was ushered out, Threet transferred to Michigan. Per NCAA transfer rules, he sat out the 2007 season. At the end of the season, Michigan coach Lloyd Carr retired, and Threet wasn’t a fit for new coach Rich Rodriguez’s offense. He stayed at Michigan anyway, and after Mallett transferred, wound up starting eight games during the 2008 season, completing 51 percent of his passes and throwing nine touchdowns and seven interceptions. But by the next year, he had to weigh his long-term interests: stick it out at Michigan or find a pro-style offense elsewhere? “It was definitely difficult, having played, and knowing I was going to sit out another season,” Threet said. “When I had the chance to come down here on my visit and to see what was going on, it was just definitely something I wanted to be a part of.” He didn’t immediately know it at the time, but his struggles at Michigan - he was a first-year quarterback leading an offenses loaded with inexperienced players through the most difficult Michigan season in four decades - helped him at ASU. After sitting out the 2009 season, he struggled in spring practice. He beat himself up a little bit, but came to a conclusion. “Just realizing mistakes would get made, that there would be days the offense didn’t look great or I didn’t look great, and understanding that there would be bumps in the road is how you deal with them,” Threet said. “That’s what I focused on personally, and I think that led to a lot of improvement.” By the end of the summer, he had beaten Brock Osweiler for the starting job. Arizona State coach Dennis Erickson was pleased with that decision after the Portland State game. “I thought he had great presence about him out there,” Erickson said. “It looks like he’s been there before, which he has. I guess there’s no substitution for having played. … “Probably more than anything, he had great command of the game.” He’s got a little running ability too. No one would mistake Threet for Denard Robinson, but he rushed for 201 yards during his injury-riddled eight starts at Michigan and opened the 2010 season with four carries for 24 yards. It’s an aspect of his game that he takes pride in. “I think I take it when it’s there,” he said. “Me running the ball is not our biggest threat offensively. It is something that we can get some positive plays out of. I’m glad I’m able to help the running back out and keep the defense honest.
“I might surprise some people athletically. I’ve done it before.”
Pete Bigelow can be reached at (734) 623-2556 or emailed at petebigelow@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @PeterCBigelow.
Comments
richagain
Thu, Sep 9, 2010 : 9:33 a.m.
Looks like he trying to find a receiver to throw it 20 yards over they're head! Just kidding -more like 30 Good luck Steve
azwolverine
Wed, Sep 8, 2010 : 9:54 p.m.
Living in the Phoenix area where ASU is located, I can tell you the Sun Devil fans are mighty excited about Threet. They often refer to him as "Michigan transfer Steven Threet" with some pride. Anyway, he played very well Saturday and although the team they played wasn't very good, Threet's 14 of 21 game was actually more impressive than it looked considering his receivers dropped 5 passes which would have made him 19 of 21. A good kid and a good QB...I'm glad he's having the success he's always wanted at a big school in a big time conference.
Lemansblue
Wed, Sep 8, 2010 : 9:45 p.m.
Glad to see Threet and Mallett doing well. We used to be called QB U because of all the NFL talent we developed...Those days are over until the RR error is over.
Sean T.
Wed, Sep 8, 2010 : 7:27 p.m.
HEARTBREAKm, Threet was rated as a pocket passer but he ran a 4.75 in the forty yard dash. He has straightline speed but when you're 6"5/6"6, nothing looks graceful.
3 And Out
Wed, Sep 8, 2010 : 4:53 p.m.
Threets a great kid with a strong arm...if he can keep improving on his accuracy he will be a good QB...nice to see him starting again
heartbreakM
Wed, Sep 8, 2010 : 4:26 p.m.
Didn't realize he was a starter. Nice numbers against portland State (who's that?). Thing I remember about Threet was the lack of support that RR gave him. Didn't even take him to the horseshoe for the OSU game. I thought that was a shame. I wish Threet the best and hope he ends up our second transfer QB who lights it up. I also remember Threet had a great first half against PSU at PSU, and then imploded. Ah well, he didn't fit RR's narrow view of what makes a good QB, and now he found someplace he could be successful. But wasn't Threet thought of as a running QB out of high school and when he first came to UM from Tech?
Smiley
Wed, Sep 8, 2010 : 2:40 p.m.
I wish Threet all the best. He was a class act while at UofM. Congrats Steven!
belboz
Wed, Sep 8, 2010 : 1:45 p.m.
A good example for Tate and why he should transfer. Find a system that bests fits him, one that is mutually beneficial.
Sean T.
Wed, Sep 8, 2010 : 12:39 p.m.
Well said, MICHBOY40!!!!
michboy40
Wed, Sep 8, 2010 : 12:12 p.m.
I wish him nothing but the best, unless UM crosses paths with ASU in a bowl game. He played hard in 08, and even though he was clearly not a QB for our system, he deserves a lot of respect for gutting it out and representing!
Sean T.
Wed, Sep 8, 2010 : 11:59 a.m.
I'm so happy to hear Threet is doing well and I'm sure he'll garner PAC10 honors as well at ASU. He wasn't a 4star for nothing and he does have surprising athletisism for a guy of his size. Good for Vlad, maybe he'll start somewhere else. (LOL)
spartyisyourlilsister
Wed, Sep 8, 2010 : 11:51 a.m.
It looks like Hater Rothstein will have another article for his troll followers. Vlad Emelien has transferred from Michigan today. Hurry up Rothstein, that article should generate 200+ hater posts!!
keetmalik
Wed, Sep 8, 2010 : 11:41 a.m.
Good luck to him, his road traveled has been a tough one!!!Hope he does well for himself.Otherwise go Blue!!!!!!!!!!!
truebluefan
Wed, Sep 8, 2010 : 11:14 a.m.
I'm glad to see Threet doing well. He persevered through a long, grinding 2008 season and held his head up high the whole time. He left Michigan with maturity. Best of luck to him at ASU.
81wolverine
Wed, Sep 8, 2010 : 11:06 a.m.
Very interesting. I'm glad he's found somewhere where his style of play fits. Can't blame him for transferring. If he HAD stayed at Michigan, he'd probably be standing on the sideline. I hope he does well - unless ASU plays Michigan!