John O’Korn says skill-set similar to Jim Harbaugh’s, enthusiastic about quarterback competition

Michigan quarterback John O’Korn displayed excitement and an enthusiasm for the game of football yesterday at Michigan Media Day. Maize N Brew got to catch up with the Houston transfer, who will be battling Wilton Speight for the starting quarterback position.

I asked O’Korn if he has ever watched film of Jim Harbaugh’s playing days. He said he has. Harbaugh was a highly mobile quarterback. And O’Korn has some wheels as well, which buys him extra time to deliver the ball downfield.

"I think he and I are a lot alike in that way. We are ultimate competitors. Whatever it takes to get it done, whether we gotta do it with our arm or our legs. I wouldn’t consider myself a scrambling quarterback, but I can use my legs when I have to. Whatever it takes"

When asked what that means to have a former NFL quarterback as his coach who is a lot like him, he sang his praises, as well as those of his peers and position coaches.

"He’s been exactly where we want to go. Everyone in the quarterback room. Having coach Fisch, the wisdom and the knowledge they have, coaching in the NFL, playing in the NFL, playing here, there’s no substitute for that, you can’t fake that." O’Korn said. "We have the best coaches in the country with coach Fisch who’s with us everyday. Coach Harbaugh, who’s played 14-15 years in the NFL. Coach Drevno with the running game and the play calling so a combination of those three is a three headed monster. You’re going to be prepared every week."

When it comes to how O’Korn is going to face the quarterback competition, he’s only concerned with what he can control.

"Going into fall camp, I’m just going to play my game. I think the best thing you can do in a competition is not treat it like a competition. If you’re too worried about comparing yourself to the other guy or other two guys then you can fall off yourself a bit. So I’m just going to worry about me and know what I do best, work my butt off, and hopefully it works out."

Michigan football practice begins today. Will O’Korn or Speight be the starter against Hawaii? Only time will tell.