Michigan backup QB Forcier transfers
The University of Michigan quarterback ranks were thinned Wednesday when last year's backup, Jason Forcier, transferred to Stanford, a move confirmed by that school.
Forcier, who threw just three passes and completed them all in 2006, will have to sit out the 2007 campaign. He'll have two years of eligibility remaining after that.
"I love Michigan, first of all,'' Forcier said by telephone. "I grew up a Michigan fan all my life. It's really tough. But deep down in my heart, I didn't feel that I would maximize my athletic potential there just because of the offense they run.''
Forcier noted that Michigan's quarterbacks rarely carry the ball in the team's pro-style offense. At his San Diego high school, the 6-foot-2-inch Forcier made his mark as a dual-threat quarterback.
"But I don't regret anything,'' Forcier added. "I learned so much from (head coach Lloyd) Carr and (quarterbacks coach Scot) Loeffler.''
Forcier will now get an opportunity to learn from another coach with Michigan ties, Jim Harbaugh. The former Michigan and NFL quarterback is entering his first season as Stanford's head coach.
"Stanford is not a great football school right now, but they have nowhere to go but up,'' Forcier said. "With their great academics and being in a (Bowl Championship Series) conference, Stanford fit the mold of where I wanted to be.''
Forcier, who played last season with a partially torn labrum in his throwing shoulder, had surgery following Michigan's Rose Bowl appearance to repair the damage. He said he's fully healthy, and throwing better than ever. Although he's returning to the West Coast, Forcier emphasized that he'll still get back to visit Ann Arbor when he can.
"I just appreciate all that everyone at Michigan has done for me,'' he said. "I burned no bridges.''
With Forcier's transfer, the path appears clear for Michigan freshman Ryan Mallett to back up senior Chad Henne this fall. Ryan Mallett, one of the nation's top quarterback recruits, enrolled at Michigan in January and participated in spring practices. The team's other scholarship quarterback is David Cone, who will be a redshirt freshman.
Tabb heads to camp
Ann Arbor native Carl Tabb, who completed his Michigan career last season, will try out for the Detroit Lions at a mini-camp that began today and lasts through the weekend. A special teams standout and reserve wide receiver for the Wolverines, Tabb caught 23 passes in college. He attended Community High School and played sports for Huron High.
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