Jim Harbaugh excited for Jake Rudock to join Michigan's QB derby

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said Jake Rudock is coming to Ann Arbor "hungry" to compete for the Wolverines' starting quarterback job.

Harbaugh made his first public comments on Rudock's transfer from Iowa to Michigan, which was announced last week, during Thursday's Big Ten coaches' teleconference.

In Rudock, Harbaugh said he's getting "an experienced player who is hungry to compete."

Rudock is a pre-medicine major. Iowa's spring graduation is May 16. After that point, the 6-foot-3, 208-pound native of Weston, Fla., can become a Wolverine. Harbaugh said he did not have any direct contact with Iowa regarding Rudock's transfer, though someone else in the university did.

"First of all, it's really good for him academically," Harbaugh said, "and I think it's very good for him athletically in terms of an opportunity to compete for a role — whether that be a starting role. That's where his goals are aligned."

Rudock, who began exploring transfer options after Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz listed him as the No. 2 quarterback in early January behind C.J. Beathard, completed 60.3 percent of his passes and threw for 4,819 yards and 34 touchdowns with 18 interceptions in 25 starts for Iowa.

In the Blue-Maize spring game on April 4, neither Michigan quarterback took control of the job in front of an estimated 60,000 in attendance. Junior Shane Morris threw for 135 yards and a touchdown for the Blue squad, which won the scrimmage, 7-0. Freshman Alex Malzone was 15-of-27 for just 95 yards and two interceptions leading the Maize.

Many expect Rudock, who is eligible immediately as a graduate transfer, to be the front-runner to take the helm in Harbaugh's first year at his alma mater.

"I'm excited to watch it go down," Harbaugh said.