Tate Forcier is taking his talents to South Beach.
(I apologize for that. Too easy. Hey, sometimes news puts a headline or lede up on a tee. We have to take a swing. There it is. And I was doing so well with not writing “taking his talents to…” in any blog post. We’ll try to do better the next time.)
The former Michigan quarterback will be transferring to the University of Miami, as reported first by the Palm Beach Post. The Hurricanes were on a list of five programs Forcier was considering.
ESPN’s Joe Schad has been Forcier’s contact in the media throughout the process of leaving Michigan and deciding on a new school. So as you’d expect, he’s the one who got a quote from Forcier. (It was either Schad or a multi-post announcement on Twitter.)
“Miami had the best opportunity,” Forcier told ESPN. “There is so much positive energy around this program and I really want to be apart of it. I love these coaches an feel like they are the right guys for me. I had a great visit and I really want to be a part of the rebirth at Miami.”
Forcier said he planned to visit each of the five potential destinations this week. Miami was believed to be the first stop on his tour. But it’s not known if Forcier got around to visiting the other four schools, reported to be Kansas State, Arizona, Washington and Montana.
By transferring to another FBS (Division I-A), Forcier will have to sit out the 2011 season, as per NCAA rules. He will have two years of eligibility beginning in 2012.
Forcier left the Michigan football program after being ruled ineligible for the Gator Bowl and was sent home before the game. He did not enroll in classes for the winter semester and soon announced his departure via Twitter.
The San Diego native ends his Michigan career with 2,647 yards passing, 17 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions. He also rushed for 291 yards and four touchdowns. Forcier started 12 games as a freshman, but lost his job to Denard Robinson as a sophomore, appearing in only eight games.
Against Bowling Green last season, Forcier set a school record for highest completion percentage with a minimum 10 passes thrown, going 12-for-12 for 110 yards and one touchdown.