Ex-Michigan QB Forcier Plans to Visit UH

By Fred Guzman

Some fans of University of Hawaii football are very leery about the possibility that Tate Forcier might end up playing at Manoa.

They are concerned that Forcier has shown a decided lack of maturity and stability during his college career, which included starting as a true freshman for the Michigan Wolverines and throwing for more than 2,000 yards and 13 touchdowns. But, last year, Forcier lost the starting job to Denard Robinson, who was better suited for the run-oriented spread offense used by then-head coach Rich Rodriguez.

They think that UH might be taking too big of a gamble, forgetting that UH has rolled the dice in the past when it came to signing players with baggage and came up a huge winner, as result.  The names of Colt Brennan, Davone Bess and Pisa Tinoisamoa all come readily to mind.

Forcier, who came out of high school in 2009 as one of the nation’s top QB prospects,  is scheduled to visit UH this week after also identifying San Jose State and Nevada as other transfer options.

UH has everything to gain and nothing to lose by signing Forcier, who per NCAA transfer rules can practice with the team but must sit out this season.  He would then be eligible to play two seasons.

UH has a pair of senior quarterbacks on its roster, including returning starter Bryant Moniz.  That means Forcier, if he works out, could be in line to take over in 2012.  And if he doesn’t pan out as a student, a player and/or a teammate, UH can just cut him lose.

Frankly, it’s a gamble that Hawaii can readily afford to take.