After some speculation that he could be taking his talents up the road to Austin, University of Houston quarterback John O’Korn has decided to transfer to Michigan and play for Jim Harbuagh.
Signing day has passed, but Michigan continued to add to its roster of quarterbacks. Former Houston starter John O’Korn announced his plans via Twitter on Thursday to join the growing list of passers under Jim Harbaugh.
O’Korn, who was a true sophomore in 2014, will need to sit out next season per NCAA transfer rules. He’ll have two seasons of eligibility remaining starting in 2016.
The 2013 American Athletic Conference rookie of the year started 16 games in his two seasons with the Cougars. He threw for 3,117 yards and 28 touchdowns as a freshman. Last season he started the first five games of the season before losing his starting job to converted wide receiver Greg Ward Jr.
O’Korn will join at least four scholarship quarterbacks on the Wolverines’ roster, including two freshmen who joined the program in the past month. Junior Shane Morris is the only returning player with starting experience, but Harbaugh said Wednesday that all of his quarterbacks would have a clean slate during an open competition for the top spot on the depth chart this season. O’Korn won’t be a part of that contest this spring.
O’Korn will have to sit out a year since he is transferring from another Division I school, but he should at worst provide Michigan with some solid depth on the roster at the quarterback spot.