[wadc45]

Friday, November 28, 2008
Sam Webb: Recruiting
Inkster junior ready now



For Inkster junior quarterback Devin Gardner, Saturday's state-title matchup with East Grand Rapids is the culmination of a yearlong journey from potential star to proven one. Win or lose, he has made great strides in his first year on the team, and he has the statistics and scholarship offers to prove it.

Even as a freshman at U-D Jesuit, Gardner was highly regarded for his playmaking ability. Unfortunately for him, that season and the one subsequent to it featured little success. Throughout that time, he was given the particularly daunting task of getting young men two and three years his senior to follow him.

"That was real tough," Gardner now admits. "I was immature. I was only 14. I was real immature. I wasn't mentally ready to play a varsity sport."

Readiness, many times, is not a prerequisite for being thrust into action. That's especially true when the choice is between athletic ability and inexperience. In retrospect, though, Gardner's trial under fire was an invaluable piece of his development. It made leading a team of established players at Inkster this season a much smoother process.

Continued...

Coach works wonders
While those camp experiences were beneficial, most of Gardner's metamorphosis is directly attributable to his work with his high school team.

"Coach Carter treated me like we'd been knowing each other for a long time," Gardner said. "He treated me like I had been playing for him since I was in ninth grade. He took me under his wing and taught me a lot of new stuff.

"I feel like I did pretty well because Coach Carter is always reminding me after almost every play that I don't have to do it myself. When I'm running now, I'm looking downfield the whole time to make sure there is nobody open -- then (if no one is) I take off."

Continued...

Offers from Bowling Green, Toledo, Central Michigan, Cincinnati, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Iowa and Wisconsin prove the lofty praise is warranted. The Spartans and Wolverines already are working hard to keep the 6-foot-4, 200-pounder in-state. Both programs have made strong early impressions.

"Michigan State said that I'm one of their top priorities and that I would fit in well," Gardner said. "They said I could come in and probably play if I work hard.

"I think I can fit into Michigan real easy," he continued. "They run the exact same offense that we run right now. I already knew the spread offense, but I'm learning (more). I'm doing everything better -- way better. If I go to Michigan, I wouldn't have to adjust that much."

OSU a possibility
The biggest threat to the in-state rivals might come from Ohio State. The Buckeyes were Gardner's favorite growing up.

"They coming at me very hard," Gardner said. "They said they wanted to see some film. They want to offer me, but I need to send film first."

Even if Jim Tressel does extend a scholarship, don't expect a commitment from Gardner to OSU, or any other school, anytime soon. He is content to take a patient approach to better assess all of his options.

"There is not really a timeline (to make a decision)," he said. "If I find the right school at the right time, then I will just choose that school. I've still got to do a lot of research. That's why all the schools are really even right now."

Inkster junior ready now | The Detroit News | detnews.com