By Josh
October 1, 2010
Denard Robinson has taken the college football world by storm. Just five games into his first full season Michigan’s starting quarterback, he has already set numerous records, set the bar in the Heisman Trophy race, and led the Wolverines to a 5-0 start despite an abysmal defense.
The super sophomore has displayed a great throwing arm in the passing game so far, but Robinson’s ability to run with the ball is what sets him apart from other top QB’s.
His career best 4.32 second time in the forty yard dash was faster than all RUNNING BACKS in the NFL. So really Robinson is a running back who can pass the ball as well. This “dual threat” ability is what makes him nearly impossible to stop. While he separates himself from normal quarterbacks with his running ability, he puts himself in a class of his own from other “dual threat” QB’s with his throwing ability. His quarterback rating of 179.97 is one of the best in the nation. It is also roughly 50 points better than the last notable “dual threat” quarterback, Pat White’s first full season rating. All in all, Robinson is a truly special player.
Robinson’s stats through four games back up the hype surrounding him. He currently leads the nation in rushing yards per game with 181/game. He ranks in the top 5 in the nation in quarterback rating. He is second in all purpose yards per game, averaging over 380/game. That’s over 100 more yards per game than Ohio State’s QB Terrelle Pryor, the other leading Heisman candidate. His yards per rushing attempt is also in the top 5 in the nation. In addition, he became just the third player ever to win the Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week honors twice in the same season, as well as the first to win the award in back to back weeks.
So the question is whether Robinson can keep up his sensational start. Currently he is in the driver’s seat of the Heisman Trophy race (awarded to the best player in college football), but can he stay there? Only time will tell; this Saturday Michigan faces a huge test against big ten rival Michigan State.