Denard Robinson: Return to School Is Smart Move for Michigan QB

After struggling for team success during his breakout sophomore season, Michigan QB Denard Robinson led the Wolverines to a Sugar Bowl victory this year. Now, it appears the electrifying run-pass threat will get one more chance to show what he can do on the collegiate stage.

Michigan’s official football Twitter feed reports that Robinson has announced his return to school for his senior season. The decision comes as wonderful news for Michigan fans, but it’s also a terrific move for the QB himself.

Robinson has a chance to establish himself as one of the greatest signal-callers in school history with a strong finish in Ann Arbor. He’s already seventh on the program’s passing charts, and even if he doesn’t improve at all on this season’s performance, he’s a safe bet to pass Elvis Grbac for third by the end of next year.

Robinson could also become the first QB since Tom Brady to win back-to-back bowl games for the Maize and Blue.

All of those considerations, though, are secondary to the benefits Robinson can realize for his NFL hopes. Even after an outstanding 11-2 season, Robinson has a lot of holes in his passing ability—he threw 15 INT along with his 20 TD—and another season of college ball will give him a chance to show NFL scouts that he’s ready for the next level.

It won’t hurt Robinson that he won’t be competing for draft position with Heisman winner Robert Griffin III, an even more successful run-pass threat. There will be other outstanding QBs in the 2013 draft (Matt Barkley, Landry Jones…), but Robinson should be head-and-shoulders above the other scramblers available.

Even with a senior season, Robinson may not be able to convince scouts that he’s NFL material. However, since he clearly isn’t ready for the league yet, he has little to lose with another season of filling up highlight reels as a Wolverine.