catching up with wilton speight

For Wilton Speight, life moves at breakneck speed.

That’s what he expected when he committed to play football for the University of Michigan, and that’s what he got from the moment he stepped on the Ann Arbor campus.

A sales-and-marketing major, the 2014 Collegiate alumnus and former All-Prep League, All-State, and All-Metro quarterback hopes to earn his degree in three years.

That’s a tall order in itself at an institution known for academic rigor, but throw in sky-high athletic expectations and you up the ante quite a bit.

When he cast his lot with Michigan, Speight expected to play for head coach Brady Hoke and offensive coordinator Al Borges.

Shortly after he arrived in January 2014, however, Borges was fired and replaced by Doug Nussmeier, whom he actually knew from the recruiting circuit.

Then after his redshirt 2014 season when the Wolverines finished 5-7, a new sheriff came to town in the person of Jim Harbaugh, and, instantly, the Michigan program became the focus of intense media attention.

A quarterback at Michigan and in the National Football League, Harbaugh had, as a coach, returned Stanford to national prominence, then led the rejuvenation of the San Francisco 49ers.

In the football world, he’s a rock star.

“Obviously, it’s a challenge, but it’s the best challenge possible,” Speight said of playing for Harbaugh and immersing himself into yet another offensive system.

“You’re learning from the best. It makes it easier when you’re coached by someone who’s had bullets flying at him in the pocket and really understands the position.”

Recently, Speight enjoyed a nine-day breather in Richmond.

During his holiday visit, he spent time with family, caught up with  friends, played golf, worked with Will Allocca, the Cougars’ current quarterback, and, for a few moments, shared his thoughts about his journey.

“Wherever I go now,” Speight said, “it’s not so much, ‘How’s football going?’ It’s, ‘What’s Coach Harbaugh like?’

“He’s a celebrity, which is great for the program. 

“You see him everywhere: Twitter, ESPN.com, Instagram. He’s definitely using his platform to get his name out there as much as possible for recruiting and publicity for Michigan.”

Though Speight missed the Wolverines’ spring game because of an injury, the 6-6, 230-pound sophomore remains in the mix among several candidates for the quarterback spot.

Junior Shane Morris, who started two games last fall, went 11-for- 24 for 135 yards against one interception in the spring game. Alex Malzone, a freshman, was 15-for-27 for 95 yards and two picks. 

Both received good marks from Harbaugh, but he’s keeping his options open for the 2015 season.

 “Coach told me that it’s anyone’s game,” Speight said. “It’s going to be up to camp. The best quarterback’s going to play. 

“I just have to go in and compete and see what happens after the three weeks.”

So how has Speight changed during his 18 months at Michigan?

“Obviously, my knowledge of the game in all aspects has improved,” he said. “Everything from reading defenses to knowing the ins and outs of my teammates.

“Just really a respect for the game of football that I didn’t know was really possible.” 

What’s missing, of course, is game experience.

He’s dreamed of the moment he takes the field before 115,000 rabid fans wearing maize and blue at Michigan Stadium – The Big House – and he’s doing all within his power to prepare.

When his time arrives, he will, he says, bring his very best.

“In everything you do,” Speight said, “you have to act like you’ve been there before. That’s huge for a quarterback. 

“When my name’s called, if I get nervous and don’t act like I’ve been there before, it might be disastrous. 

“So, I’ll have to remain calm, be poised, stick to my game, and know I can perform.”

Those are strong words, to be sure, but Speight delivers them without a hint of arrogance or swagger.

“I’ve always told myself, and my dad always says, ‘Success favors the prepared mind and the confident mind,’” he said.

 “If I don’t believe in myself and prepare well, whether it’s a political science test or a QB test, nothing good will happen.”