Quarterback Russell Bellomy getting extended look in Michigan football spring camp
Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson will receive fewer snaps this spring, but not because he's being pushed by backup Devin Gardner.
Gardner could receive fewer snaps as well, but not because he is being tried out at other positions.
Instead, redshirt freshman Russell Bellomy is getting an extended look this spring, offensive coordinator Al Borges said Monday during a news conference at Schembechler Hall.
"We’re looking more at him, because it’s spring time and we’re trying to get him some time," Borges said. "We're going to look at Russ more, and it might cost Denard a couple reps, or even Devin a couple. But we got to see ‘em all now.
"This is our chance, because once we get into the season and we’re gameplanning all the time, it gets tough to get everybody a lot of chances."
Russell Bellomy
Bellomy is a 6-foot-3, 189-pound quarterback from Arlington, Texas. He originally committed to Purdue before being plucked away two weeks after the hire of Brady Hoke last year.
He was Hoke's first quarterback commit, but faces a tough road to receiving the reins to the Michigan offense.
Bellomy is stuck behind Robinson this year, and Gardner is the presumed heir for 2013. By the time 2014 rolls around, Bellomy will be a junior, but face serious competition from elite quarterback recruit Shane Morris.
Morris is the No. 3 quarterback in the country, according to Scout, and the prototypical pro-style Borges is seeking to run his West Coast offense. The lefty, who would be in his second year in the program in 2014, could push Bellomy for the starting job.
So where does Bellomy fit into the picture? That's what Borges intends to find out.
He said he already likes Bellomy's athleticism.
"He can get himself out of messes when things break down," Borges said of Bellomy, who was recruited as both a pro-style and spread quarterback. "He can run designed quarterback runs, although I don’t know you’d run as many as you would with Denard. But if you turn him loose, he will hurt you. He has that kind of ability.
Bellomy also has improved his arm strength since arriving on campus, Borges said, which addresses one of his biggest weaknesses.
Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.
Comments
ted
Fri, Apr 13, 2012 : 3:28 a.m.
MICHIGAN MAN PICNIC . I would like to get a show of hands here on Mlive of how many people here would like to join us for the first in a series of Michigan Man get-togethers. On May 5th we are having a picnic at County Farm Park. We will have a wide array of people representing the wide spectrum of Michigan Men. It goes without saying that it is a men's only event. But, we urge you to bring your life-partners along if that pertains to you. But please understand that children are prohibited due to the adult nature of the picnic. There is a $ 15 admission fee. Come and enjoy good food, a fortune telling psychic, maize and blue body painting and of coarse lively Michigan Football talk !!
saintd
Wed, Mar 21, 2012 : 12:33 p.m.
We could see some progress from the 2 running backs from Flint. They are going to play this year.
Steve McQueen
Wed, Mar 21, 2012 : 12:32 a.m.
nah Terry...they are looking at him for 13...not to take snaps from Denard this season. I dont like when they do that with Devin right now. Devin has shown to be OK, but honestly every time he has been in a game, or when Ive seen him in spring games...he is mediocre. Not a great runner, decent arm, decent QB... Here is Bellomy HS tape http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4om8v56FCw He may be more explosive than Devin and with more upside overall.
Terry Star21
Tue, Mar 20, 2012 : 11:48 p.m.
And, it's no secret he is a better passer, with great range and accuracy. I love DRobb, but there is something interesting going on in spring camp; "If you give a great athlete a chance, they will..........". Hoke swa something he liked, something he wanted when recruiting Bellomy. If Bellomy impresses, and could do the job, I'm all for him coming in - wouldn't anyone ? Seriously, it would not be the end of the world (DRob might not like) to split DRobb out, use him in the backfield, QB option etc. - what great options & weapons to have these three QB's. MgoBlueForTiM......could Bellomy be the real thing....
TheWay
Sat, Mar 24, 2012 : 5:05 a.m.
They tried to use Denard in other positions here and there last year. How'd that work out?
unclefred
Thu, Mar 22, 2012 : 4:51 p.m.
Assuming that he stays healthy it is improbable to the level of absurdity that Bellomy would replace Denard as starting QB. There are a couple of reasons for this. First Borges's system is very complex and requires a substantial learning curve. Borges himself says that reps count, Bellomy would have to climb that curve awfully fast to unseat Denard. Second, Borges has been effusive in his praise of Denard's progress and the "leadership role" he's taken this year. Now has Borges developed some wild plays with all three QBs in the backfield? Probably, but, barring injury, that's the limit I would expect to see for Bellomy playing unless we are up by 30+ points.
Steve McQueen
Tue, Mar 20, 2012 : 11:21 p.m.
Bellomy is an explosive athlete. Check out his highlight film and work out films over on youtube. He definitely has all of the tools to be an elite QB at Michigan. Im glad that he is getting a solid look. Russell is the athletic QB with size that Borges likes in his offense. Everyone keeps talking about Shane...and he may well be a good QB. However he is at this point, still thin and needs some work in his accuracy. IMO Bellomy has more upside than Gardner at this point...
j
Tue, Mar 20, 2012 : 6:44 p.m.
Recruiting rankings = crapshoot, basically anyone rated is talented. We'll see how talented when they play with and against other premier post HS athletes
ted
Tue, Mar 20, 2012 : 6:21 p.m.
People may be in denial about Michigan's RB situation. It is very weak. There is no elite talent there and it shows. Imagine the possibilities of a great rb running behind this line.
Zak Tillman
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 3:59 a.m.
As long as Denard and Fitz gain over 1000 yards each again I will feel pretty good about our running game. I mean how many teams have 2 1000 yard rushers on them last year? Not Ohio St.
ethanblue
Wed, Mar 21, 2012 : 2:02 a.m.
You are not very knowledgeable, then, about stars and the actual statistics of success v. failure. I've used the Hart example plenty, and here's how I apply it here. If stars mattered, and it was simply the line that made him a college great, then Max Martin should have been the most amazing back from Hart's class. Martin was a Top 30 prospect, and a Top 5 back. But Martin lost out to Hart and transferred to Bama, where he appropriately (and sadly, for him) did nothing. Bryce Brown was the #1 Back 3 years ago, coming out of HS. He did nothing at Tennessee, transferred to KState, and left this year after 3 games. Darrell Scott was the #1 back 4 years ago, and lost out his freshman year to a --gasp--3-star freshman at Colorado. He transferred, and had a good year at South Florida this year, but he never lived up to his ranking. For every Lamar Miller there's a staple of 4- and 5-star flameouts. You can look at OSU's top ranked backs over the last decade plus. Carlos Hyde, Jamal Berry, Roderick Smith, etc. Playing behind a bad line can make good backs look bad. Playing with a bad QB who is run first also can hurt your RBs. Fitz has a lot of talent, and he proved that. Smith has great speed and talent, too. The freshman turned sophomores -- perhaps we will see this year.
MRunner73
Tue, Mar 20, 2012 : 9:16 p.m.
Stars? Ask Jordan Kovacs about stats. Ask Mike Hart about stars.
MRunner73
Tue, Mar 20, 2012 : 9:15 p.m.
There are several rating insitutions out there. The biggies meet a few times during the off season for a meeting of the minds and they crunch the stats on each player and re-rate them. Also, factor in what kind of Senior season in high school these players will have. Bottom line: the cake is half baked and the ratings are basically incomplete, but you can believe what you want. The Michigan RB situation is as good as it has been since the Mike Hart days and we have more depth.
ted
Tue, Mar 20, 2012 : 6:50 p.m.
Michigan in reality is very weak at RB. Besides Tousaint , who is good, but not great, we only have a bunch of 3 stars that will probably never end up seeing the field. Stars do mean a lot. they may be wrong some times, but for the most part they are very accurate.
ted
Tue, Mar 20, 2012 : 6 p.m.
Also Deveon Smith was also graded at 5.7 by Rivals, 3 stars. I'm not sure why this guy was even offered. We needed Ty Isaac, instead we got Kevin Grady #2. The Mlive article claimed that this was the best RB in Ohio ? Really ? Hoke seems to prove he falls short when it comes to recruiting the skill positions.
Zak Tillman
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 3:55 a.m.
We also have 17 total recruits including 11 from ESPN's top 150, and 8 of our recruits are from your favorite teams state Ohio, worry about your own teams recruiting woes and season. You are, after all, coming off a 6-7 year.
Blue Marker
Tue, Mar 20, 2012 : 8:32 p.m.
More successful than the all time leading rusher in the storied history of Michigan football? Who cares where he was picked in the NFL draft? Do you have no faith in this coaching staff?
ted
Tue, Mar 20, 2012 : 6:53 p.m.
I would say a lot of backs would have had the same success Hart had behind the offensive lines he had. And a better back would have had more success. After all, Hart was not a first round draft choice.
Blue Marker
Tue, Mar 20, 2012 : 6:43 p.m.
So was Mike Hart....who'd that work out? You know what I mean? You just have to wait and see.
ted
Tue, Mar 20, 2012 : 6:23 p.m.
Look at rivals.....Deveon Smith is a 3 star.
umgoblue47
Tue, Mar 20, 2012 : 6:17 p.m.
funny. . . if we get TY ISAAC you will find something to complain about him to! DEVEON SMITH is rated a 4* by eveybody else and will probably be a 5* by the time he graduates from h.s.!! you seem to prove you fall short of being a MICHIGAN fan!! GO BLUE!!!!!!
ted
Tue, Mar 20, 2012 : 5:53 p.m.
Disappointing recruiting news. I don't know if anyone noticed , but Dukes our wr recruit Dukes earned a 5.7 by rival. Thats 3 stars.
Zak Tillman
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 : 3:50 a.m.
disappointing recruiting news for your Ohio Buckeyes, DE commit Tracy Sprinkle earned a 5.6 by rivals.com. That's 3 stars
Steve McQueen
Tue, Mar 20, 2012 : 11:22 p.m.
Thanks Mr. Concern troll. Keep fakin!
GoBigBlue
Tue, Mar 20, 2012 : 11:09 p.m.
Oh no!!! Hoke should pull the offer! What a joke
Blue Marker
Tue, Mar 20, 2012 : 6:42 p.m.
Braylon Edwards was a 3* as well. You have to trust these coaches know what they're looking for. Plus, he could blow up in his senior year and push that rating up.
a2roots
Tue, Mar 20, 2012 : 4:30 p.m.
Stay, work hard, take advantage of opportunity when it presents itself and be among the leaders and best.
Matt Patercsak
Tue, Mar 20, 2012 : 4:25 p.m.
He will start over Morris until Morris has a working knowledge of Borges' offense. He should redshirt his freshman year to fully grasp the schemes and grow into the proper weapon we need him to be. I have faith in Bellomy.
Psudolus
Tue, Mar 20, 2012 : 4:17 p.m.
It would be nice to give shane a RS year and a backup year as a RS Frosh. If Russ can give us a good year in 2014 and give Shane a battle for the Starting spot in 2015, I think UM will be all the better for it.
j
Tue, Mar 20, 2012 : 3:26 p.m.
There are lots of rumor's that Devin Gardner is not "the heir for 2013" . . . Problems with accuracy and decision making (which may come from lack of confidence in throwing the ball)
TheWay
Sat, Mar 24, 2012 : 5:02 a.m.
His bad decision making may stem from his accuracy? That makes no sense. How can being inaccurate make you a poor decision-maker?
j
Tue, Mar 20, 2012 : 3:27 p.m.
the decision making problem may stem from accuracy, sorry for not making that clear
ted
Tue, Mar 20, 2012 : 2:57 p.m.
I read this press conferance and its not as if Bogess brought Bellomy up. The press asked him about Bellamy. Borgess is a "yes-man". He will always say "Ooh Yeah, whatever you guys say..blah, blah, blah."
Terry Star21
Tue, Mar 20, 2012 : 11:40 p.m.
It's humor, the quest to be funny - all of the time !
Steve McQueen
Tue, Mar 20, 2012 : 11:22 p.m.
why do you hate Michigan so much? is it green envy or red anger that drives your hate?
Scott
Tue, Mar 20, 2012 : 2:53 p.m.
Bellomy deserves as good a look as Morris. He was a big loss to Purdue- the school that gave us Drew Brees. Hoke and Borges would never start a guy based on how many stars he had in high school. Morris has to win the job not have it handed to him. Let the best man win in 2014.
MRunner73
Tue, Mar 20, 2012 : 2:44 p.m.
Mr Bellomy would be a starter at most other Big 10 schools. Good to see the coaching staff will give him a good look this spring and see what else he can contribute. I havn't seen this much depth at QB at Michigan in a very long time.