Saturday Blitz
Fansided

Michigan Football: Is Jeff George Jr.’s transfer a cause for concern?

By Connor Muldowney

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 21: Jeff George Jr. #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini passes the ball against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the game on October 21, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Fighting Illini 24-17. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 21: Jeff George Jr. #3 of the Illinois Fighting Illini passes the ball against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the game on October 21, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Fighting Illini 24-17. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Michigan football added another transfer in former Illinois quarterback Jeff George Jr., but should his addition bring concern for the depth chart?

Out of high school, Jeff George Jr. was one of those lightly-recruited prospects, ranked the No. 110 pro-style quarterback in his class, committing to Illinois. At most schools, he wouldn’t play much, but Illinois has had plenty of quarterback issues over the years. Now, George Jr. is transferring to another Big Ten program, Michigan.

George Jr. has passed for just 1,743 yards, 11 touchdowns and 15 interceptions with a 48 percent completion rate throughout his career and he still has two years of eligibility left.

Those numbers aren’t exactly something you want to add to the roster, but the Wolverines have had enough quarterback issues over the past couple of years that another quarterback with starting experience wouldn’t be the worst thing.

Should Wolverine fans be worried about this addition? Absolutely not.

First off, George Jr. accepted a walk-on role with the Wolverines, so no scholarship has been “wasted” on the former Illini gunslinger. He wanted to come to Michigan to learn from one of the best quarterback gurus in college football (Jim Harbaugh) although his recent track record says otherwise.

Moreover, he likely won’t be a top-three or four option for the next couple of years in Ann Arbor. He sits behind Shea Patterson, Brandon Peters, Dylan McCaffrey and presumably Joe Milton already. He’s there just to be a valuable scout-team quarterback and make his teammates better.

No, this addition of George Jr. doesn’t mean Patterson is failing to live up to expectations, nor does it mean McCaffrey, Peters or Milton are going to transfer right away.

Next: 2019 NFL Mock Draft: Way-too-early complete first round

Don’t worry, Michigan fans, the addition of George Jr. is as harmless as can be and he could become a serviceable backup for Harbaugh.

Home/Michigan Wolverines