After quarterback Tate Forcier decided to depart the friendly confines of Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan, it seemed as if he was a prize on the free agent market.
After losing out to freshman star, Denard Robinson, it seemed Forcier seemed to lose interest and ended up academically ineligible for the 2011 Gator Bowl. Whether his grades forced his departure from Michigan or Forcier left on his own, the question on everyone's mind was, "where will he go next?"
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Almost a month after it was announced Forcier was no longer a part of the football team at Michigan, news broke that the young quarterback was heading for South Beach and the University of Miami.
"Miami had the best opportunity," he told ESPN. "There is so much positive energy around this program and I really want to be a part of it. I love these coaches and feel like they are the right guys for me. I had a great visit and I really want to be a part of the rebirth at Miami."
Almost four months later it seems Forcier's days at Miami are over before they even had a chance to begin. According to the Associated Press, who cited sources close to the quarterback, Forcier apparently cut off contact with Miami almost six weeks ago.
While he has yet to make a public statement about what has transpired since he signed a transfer agreement back in February, these sources told the AP that undisclosed personal matters were overshadowing football. Those matters apparently led Forcier to decide against enrolling in school at Miami.
What happens now is anyone's guess. Those around college football will begin to guess where the young player will land or even if we will see him reappear on the college football scene.
It might be pure speculation but Matthew Celder, a college football small school analyst for Examiner.com, has three schools in mind which could be good fits.
"The University of North Alabama seem to be big time players in the transfer market," Celder told me. "Especially after reportedly landing former University of Florida cornerback Janoris Jenkins, pending NCAA approval."
Celder also told me Georgia State, after losing transfer Star Jackson and suspending quarterback Drew Little, as well as Valdosta State, who had a quarterback quit the team, are two schools who are in desperate need at the position and could benefit from a guy like Tate Forcier.
As of right now, Forcier is yet to make an announcement or even talk publicly about his decision not to enroll at Miami. Whether or not he plays football in 2011 is something we may not know for awhile. At least not until an official decision comes from the Forcier family.
Whether it's his ego or his lack of focus in the classroom, it seems the young quarterback may be out of options and out of universities who are in the need of players who can not make up their mind.
His Division-I days might be behind him so maybe a Division-II school is the way for this young quarterback to go. At this point he really does not have any more to lose, especially if he wants a future in football at the next level.
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