Michigan Quarterbacks: Where are they now?

So I was watching old Michigan Football clips.  Not really sure how I got on that, but I was. (I think it had something to do with watching old Penn State and Joe Paterno clips... speaking of which, thoughts and prayers with the Paternos and the entire Penn State family).  Moving on, I came across a few Elvis Grbac to Desmond Howard plays and it got me thinking as to what Grbac is doing with his life now.  I know he played in the NFL for a bit, but he is out of the league now.  So, what is he doing?  After a bit, I started looking up other former Michigan quarterbacks.  We all know where a certain one is right now (I'll give you a hint: his season isn't over and his name isn't Eli Manning).  I decided to look up all of the Michigan starting quarterbacks from 1989 (my year of birth) until now.  So, without further ado, Michigan Quarterbacks:  Where are they now?


Michael Taylor (1986-1989):  Michael Taylor played under Bo during his last four years as the head coach at UofM.  Taylor was the starting quarterback during the 1988 and 1989 seasons, leading them to Big Ten Championships during both seasons.  He left Michigan as the school's all-time leader in passing efficiency and unfortunately lost to USC in the 1990 Rose Bowl in his last game.  So where is he now?  After leaving UofM on sour terms (Michigan refused to pay for him to have arm surgery unless it was performed by a University doctor), Taylor wanted to have nothing to do with the University until 2000 or so.  Apparently his wife talked him into getting involved again and Taylor began to assist in football coverage with Ann Arbor's WTKA.

Elvis Grbac (1989-1992):  Grbac took over in 1990 as the starting quarterback after Michael Taylor graduated.  Grbac had started a few games in the 1989 season after Taylor had become injured.  Grbac lead Michigan to a beat down of Ole Miss in the 1991 Gator Bowl after finishing 8-3 in the regular season.  They were co-Big Ten Champions in 1990 and it was just the beginning of a beautiful relationship between two high school buddies.  Grbac was the starting quarterback during Desmond Howard's Heisman Trophy season of 1991 and threw this gem to Howard.  In the end, he lead Michigan to two Rose Bowls and set Michigan passing records for attempts, completions, yards, and touchdowns.  They were all broken by John Navarre and later surpassed by Chad Henne.  So where is he now? Grbac was drafted in the 8th round of the 1993 NFL Draft, backed up Steve Young before signing with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1997 to be their starting quarterback.  He played there until 2001 when he signed with the Baltimore Ravens to replace Trent Dilfer.  He retired with at least another 3-5 good years left you would think.  According to the Kansas City Star, as of 2007, he was living in Chagrin Falls, Ohio and just living the dream.  It is a small town, and he is not a highly known guy.  He just sort of lives.  Gets coffee.  Reads the newspaper.  I suppose you can do that when you made millions of dollars for a few years.

Todd Collins (1990-1994):  Collins redshirted the 1990 season and took over in 1993 as the starting quarterback for the Michigan Wolverines.  Collins lead Michigan to Hall of Fame and Holiday Bowl victories in the 1993 and 1994 seasons respectively.  Collins unfortunately is probably most remembered as the quarterback of the 1994 team who lost to Kordell Stewart on a last second Hail Mary pass.  Collins currently holds the career completion record with a 64.3 percentage.  He was also the quarterback for Gary Moeller's last season at Michigan.  So where is he now?  Collins was drafted in the second round of the 1995 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills.  He earned the Bills backup job behind Jim Kelly, played in seven games, and had one start.  He took over as the started in 1997 after Kelly retired and played in 14 games, with 13 starts.  In 1998 he moved to the Kansas City Chiefs where he backed up fellow former Michigan quarterback Elvis Grbac.  He was listed as third string behind second stringers Rich Gannon and Warren Moon.  From 2001 to 2005 he played in 12 games.  In 2006 Collins signed with the Washington Redskins.  In 2007, he replaced Redksins quarterback Jason Campbell, who was injured.  He took over a team that was 5-7 and won 4 consecutive games to give the Redskins a winning season and clinched them a playoff birth.  They lost the game to the Seattle Seahawks.  Collins continued to back up Campbell in 2008 and 2009.  Collins signed with the Chicago Bears for the 2010 season and was Jay Cutler's backup.  He saw action in one game, which was his last action of his career.

Scott Dreisbach (1994-1998):  Dreisbach redshirted his freshman year and took over the reigns as starting quarterback in 1995.  In his first game, as well as Lloyd Carr's first game as head coach, Dreisbach lead a comeback victory over Virginia in the Pigskin Classic as America watched on and Michigan won on a last second pass to Mercury Hayes in the corner of the end zone.  I will fully admit right now, this is one of my farthest back memories of watching Michigan Football.  I was  six years old and I vaguely remember jumping around in our house... vaguely...  Anywho, Dreisbach was haunted his entire career by tough competition and injuries.  Dreisbach was later benched due to injury during the 1995 season and Brian Griese started the rest of the year.  Dreisbach started 11 games in the 1996 season by did not start the bowl game thanks to injury.  Brian Griese started the bowl game and then took over the starting role for the 1997 season.  So where is he now?  Dreisbach was signed as an undrafted free-agent after not starting a game in either of his last two seasons at Michigan.  From 1999 to 2003 he spent time on the rosters of the Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills, and Detroit Lions.  He never saw any regular season playing time in the NFL.  He also spent some time playing in NFL Europe. From 2003 until 2007 Dreisbach played in the Arena Football League.  He is now retired and works in Houston, Texas as the Vice President of Sales for McCoy Floor Covering.

Brian Griese (1993-1997):  Griese redshirted his first year at Michigan then was listed as a backup behind Todd Collins for the 1994 season and was Scott Dreisbach's backup throughout the 1995 and 1996 seasons.  Griese started both bowl games at the end of the 1995 and 1996 seasons (Alamo and Outback Bowls respectively).  He then became the starting quarterback at the beginning of the 1997 season and lead Michigan to a Rose Bowl victory, undefeated season, and a split National Championship with Nebraska.  So where is he now?  Griese was drafted in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos.  He was a backup to John Elways and Bubby Brister throughout his first season, although he won a Super Bowl that season.  He took over as starter of the Broncos in 1999 after Elways retired.  He was released by the Broncos after the 2002 season when they picked up Jake Plummer.  He then had stints with the Dolphins (backing up Jay Fiedler), Buccaneers (twice), and the Bears (splitting time with Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton).  Griese has been a college football analyst since 2009 for ESPN and has also done radio color commentating for KOA (AM)'s coverage of Denver Bronco football.

Tom Brady (1995-1999):  Brady redshirted his first season at Michigan and then backed up both Scott Dreisbach and Brian Griese before he took over as the starting quarterback roll in 1998.  Brady was consistently ridiculed by fans and football critics alike.  Many called for Lloyd Carr to let the freshman phenom, Drew Henson, get behind center.  Brady had a rough start in '98, losing his first two games at Notre Dame and at home versus Syracuse.  Brady lead Michigan to a win over Arkansas in the Citrus Bowl and set records in pass attempts in a season as well as completions in a season.  In the 1999 season, Brady lead the Wolverines to a 10-2 record and an Orange Bowl win over a Shaun Alexander lead Alabama Crimson Tide football team.  So where is he now?  I don't think I need to explain much other than that he was drafted in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft (Pick 199).  He was the fourth string quarterback in his first season behind Drew Bledose, John Friesz, and Michael Bishop.  Brady earned the backup spot by the next season and when Drew Bledsoe was knocked out of the game during their home opener on September 23, Brady never gave him back the starting job.  Brady is a three-time Super Bowl Champion, seven-time Pro Bowl selection, two-time Super Bowl MVP, and will be the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots in this year's Super Bowl.  Oh, and he has a child with Bridget Moynahan and is married to Gisele Bundchen.

Drew Henson (1998-2000):  Henson backed up Tom Brady during the 1998 and 1999 seasons.  He was a highly recruited high school athlete out of near-by Brighton High School.  He was a fan favorite throughout his two years as a backup and certainly saw his time in the field.  He saw action in 7 of Michigan's 13 games his freshman year and in nine games his sophomore year.  In his junior year, Henson appeared in nine of Michigan's 12 games and lead Michigan to a share of the Big Ten title.  Henson is actually the last Michigan quarterback to lead his team to a victory at The Horseshoe in Columbus.  Where is he now?  Henson had been selected in the third round with the 97th overall selection in the 1998 MLB Draft by the New York Yankees.  He left Michigan a year early to begin his professional baseball career.  He began his minor league career with the Tampa Yankees.  In 2000 he was part of a trade to the Cincinnati Reds for Denny Neagle.  In 2001, he was traded back to the Yankees in a trade for Wily Mo Pena.  While playing with the Yankees' AAA team, the Columbus Clippers, Henson was often booed because he went to Michigan.  He made his major league debut in 2002, playing in only three games.  In 2003 he played in five games.  After the 2003 season, he announced his retirement from baseball and announced his intent to return to football.  The Houston Texans had selected Henson in the 2003 NFL Draft.  Henson joined the Dallas Cowboys who had traded their third round pick in the 2005 NFL Draft in exchange for Henson.  Henson started the 2004 Thanksgiving Day game versus the Chicago Bears.  Henson finished the season going 10 for 18 with 78 yards.  In 2005, Henson fell back to third string behind Drew Bledsoe and Tony Romo.  Henson spent the 2006 off-season in NFL Europe and was later released prior-to the 2006 season.  He signed with the Minnesota Vikings to their practice squad on September 27, 2006, released on October 10, then re-signed on December 6.  He then signed a one year deal on March 15, 2007 with the Vikings, but was cut during training camp.  He spent the 2008 season being on the practice squad and occasionally being signed to the roster by the Detroit Lions.  He appeared in one game that season, going 1-2 passing and fumbling on back-to-back plays.  He was released by the Lions on April 28, 2009.  He now does a bit of color commentary for ESPN3.com and recently started a financial management company for athletes, which he started five or six years ago.


John Navarre (1999-2003):  Navarre redshirted his freshman year of 1999 and was Henson's backup throughout the 2000 season.  Henson was injured to begin the 2000 season and Navarre started the first four games.  After leading the Wolverines to a 2-1 record to begin, only losing to a ranked UCLA team on the road.  Navarre threw for 2,345 yards and 19 touchdowns in his first full season as Michigan's starting quarterback in 2001 but was beat down by Tennessee in the Citrul Bowl at the end of the year.  In his junior year, Navarre lead Michigan to a 9-3 record and threw for a career-high 219 yards in a win over Florida in the Outback Bowl.  In Navarre's final season, he lead the Wolverines to a 10-3 overall record, Rose Bowl appearance, and wins over Ohio State and Notre Dame.  He still currently holds Michigan records for most pass attempts in a season (456 in 2003), most pass completions in a season (270 in 2003), most passing yards in a season (3,331 in 2003), most passing yards in a game (389 in 2003 vs Iowa), most touchdown passes in a game (4, on three occasions, which is a tie), and most total offensive plays in a season (504 in 2003).  Where is he now?  Navarre was drafted in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals.  He was their third string quarterback during the 2004 and 2005 seasons.  He started one game for the Cardinals, in 2004 vs the Detroit Lions.  He is now retired from football and currently resides in Waterford, Wisconsin and works for a ALRO Steel Milwaukee Branch.  He still comes back for games frequently.


Chad Henne (2004-2007):  Henne started his first collegiate game in 2004 after listed first-stringer Matt Gutierrez had injured his shoulder.  He ended his first game with a 43-10 win over Miami University, completing 14 of 24 passes for 142 yards.  He was the second freshman to start his first game ever in Michigan football history (Rich Leach in 1975 was the other).  Michigan finished the season 9-3 and Henne never gave up his starting role.  He lead Michigan to a bowl game in each of his four seasons, two Rose Bowls, an Alamo Bowl, and the Capital One Bowl, finishing 1-3 in bowl games.  Although his bowl game record was not great, he certainly had a few great endings.  Henne spent his senior season hit with the injury bug and turned a horrible start into a phenomenal finish.  He split time with freshman-phenom Ryan Mallett and lead Michigan to a victory in the Capital One Bowl over the reigning Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow lead Florida Gators.  So where is he now?  Chad Henne was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft.  He spent the 2008 season as Chad Pennington's backup.  He came in early in the 2009 season after Pennington had been knocked out of the game and has been the starter ever since.  Early in the 2011 season Henne seperated his non-throwing arm and required surgery and missed the remainder of the year.  He is scheduled to be a free-agent this offseason.


Ryan Mallett (2007*):  Mallett came in as a highly touted All-American recruit who would be the next great Michigan quarterback.  He was a prime pocket-passer out of Texarkana, Texas.  He was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in 2006, his senior year of high school.  After Chad Henne was injured in the second game of the year against Oregon.  Mallett started three other games for Michigan during the 2007 season.  After Lloyd Carr announced he was retiring at the end of the season, Mallet decided to transfer.  So where is he now?  Ryan Mallett transferred to Arkansas  on January 14, 2008 and sat out the 2008 season due to NCAA transfer policies.  In his first season under center, he lead Arkansas to an 8-5 record and a win in the 2010 Liberty Bowl victory over East Carolina in OT.  In 2010, he lead the Razorbacks to a 10-3 record finishing with a loss to Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl.  He declared for the 2011 NFL Draft and was drafted in the third round by the New England Patriots and spent this past season, his rookie year, as the third string quarterback behind Tom Brady and Brian Hoyer.

Nick Sheridan (2006-2009):  Sheridan saw little playing time in 2006 and 2007.  But, in 2008, after the roster had been severely depleted and new coach Rich Rodriguez was left with little to nothing, Nick Sheridan, a former assistant coach's son, started the first game of the year and Rich Rodriguez's tenure at Michigan.  It certainly did not go according to plan.  Sheridan split playing time with Steven Threet throughout the rest of the season and even lead Michigan to a heck of a win at Minnesota.  It was one of few bright spots in the 3-9 2008 Michigan Football season.  So where is he now? Nick was a graduate assistant with the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and recently was named a higher up graduate assistant.


Steven Threet (2007-2008):  Threet was a highly rated prospect out of near-by Adrian, MI who had originally began his career with Georgia Tech.  After realizing the system did not fit his play very well, as well as a case of being homesick, Threet transferred back to Michigan and to Ann Arbor during the 2007 season, which he sat out entirely.  Threet started the majority of the games in the 2008 season for Michigan.  After Rich Rodriguez had made it clear that his next quarterback for the 2009 season would be incoming freshman Tate Forcier.  So where is he now?  Threet transferred to Arizona State after the 2008 season and sat out the 2009 season due to NCAA eligibility requirements.  Threet was the starting quarterback for the majority of the 2010 season for Arizona State.  He finished the season with 2,553 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions.  On February 23, 2011, Threet announced his retirement from football due to repeated concussions.


Tate Forcier (2009-2010):  Tate joined the Michigan Football program with a swagger that hadn't been seen in quite a while.  He started every game of the 2009 season, finishing with a 5-7 record.  He split time with fellow freshman, and current starting quarterback, Denard Robinson.  Tate lost his starting position over the off-season after failing to prove his devotion to getting better (watching film, volunteer workouts, etc.) and never gained it back.  He got in occasionally throughout the 2010 season, but after being sent home from the Gator Bowl for becoming academically ineligible, he transferred to Miami (or intended to, then transferred to San Jose St.).  Where is he now? It was recently reported that Tate had left the San Jose St. football program.

So that is it.  This is my report on starting quarterbacks during my lifetime.  I can't write about our current one because, well... his story while wearing the winged helmet is not done.  If you read all of this, I hope you found it as interesting as I did.  I put a lot of effort into it.  Did a lot of research.  Probably the largest amount of reading that I have done in a few months.  Thanks again and GO BLUE!

-Kevin