On last week's Big Ten spring football teleconference, Jim Harbaugh was asked no fewer than five times about Michigan's addition of Iowa graduate transfer Jake Rudock.
But the most in-depth that the Wolverines head coach would get into talking about his new quarterback was still a somewhat vague answer that required an extensive viewing of Rudock's history to understand.
"The same things that I think all of us saw," Harbaugh responded when asked why he chose to add the former Hawkeyes quarterback to his roster.
While identifying those attributes Harbaugh was referencing may not be possible without having followed Iowa closely over the past two seasons, a closer examination of Rudock shows a quarterback who should make for a natural fit in the new Michigan coach's pro-style system. More than that, it's the Fort Lauderdale, Florida, native's intangibles that likely appealed to Harbaugh, according to Rudock's personal quarterback coach.
A former NFL quarterback himself, Ken Mastrole has served as a private instructor to Rudock dating back to his sophomore season at St. Thomas Aquinas High School. The founder of the Mastrole Quarterback Academy, Mastrole has worked with the likes of Teddy Bridgewater, Tajh Boyd, E.J. Manuel, Blake Sims and Kenny Guiton among others. He believes that Rudock has what it takes to help the Wolverines make a jump in Harbaugh's first year at the helm.
"I definitely think Jake’s a guy that can come in and cement things offensively, that could take them to play at the next level," Mastrole told Bleacher Report. "Maybe play above what they’re used to from a push.”
Mastrole obviously has a vested interest in Rudock's success but pointed to his client's numbers as proof of both his measurable and immeasurable abilities. Appearing in 12 games and attempting 345 passes, Rudock threw just five interceptions in 2014, the fewest of any Big Ten quarterback with 250 or more attempts on the season.
According to Mastrole, the 6'3", 208-pound Rudock's low turnover rate serves as a microcosm of his mindset, both on and off the football field. The former Chicago Bear said that while other players get caught up in things like their draft status and social media, Rudock has always remained committed to the team aspect of football, which shows up in his play.
"He’s a guy that just loves the game and loves football, but there’s more to him," Mastrole said of Rudock. "He’s got that side where he’s able to balance things in life, which I think is really good because at the quarterback position, you can’t put stars on it and you’ll never really be able to measure it unless you get to know the quarterbacks and then be able to see them over long periods of times."
Mastrole believes that will make Rudock a fit with Harbaugh, who he first met during an audition with the Carolina Panthers in 2001. Through his career as a private instructor, Mastrole has also built a strong relationship with Michigan quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator Jedd Fisch, who recruited Rudock during his time as an assistant at Miami (Fla.).
After Rudock decided to transfer from Iowa, he spent time with the Wolverines staff during a visit to Ann Arbor, which Mastrole said helped seal the deal when it came to deciding where he'd be spending his senior season.
"How can you pass this up? You’re getting a head coach who played the game," Mastrole said of Harbaugh. "He understands the nuances of the game. It’s not always about the X’s and O's, but knowing the personnel and knowing the type of quarterback that you have."
There's still no guarantee that quarterback will be Rudock, as the Sunshine State product will be joining a crowded QB depth chart upon his arrival at Michigan this summer. Junior Shane Morris exited spring ball as the front-runner to start for the Wolverines according to Harbaugh but will continue to battle Wilton Speight, Alex Malzone and Zach Gentry once fall camp begins this summer.
But make no mistake, Morris' main competition will be Rudock, who some have already penciled in to be Harbaugh's first quarterback with the maize and blue.
"I expect there will be very good competition. He's a player who is hungry to compete," Harbaugh said of Rudock. "I'm excited to watch it go down."
So is Mastrole, who insists that Rudock is under no false impression that he's already been promised the Wolverines' starting job. Rather, he believes his client will head to his new school hungry to prove himself and make the most of one last season in his college career.
“Anytime you leave a situation where you put so much blood and sweat into something like he did at Iowa, that’s a tough situation. But I think overall, Jake’s excited. He knows there are a number of quarterbacks on the roster, but it’s just like anything in life," Mastrole said.
"He’s not expecting to go in there and just be handed the keys and have somebody tell him, ‘Hey, this is yours.’ He’s going to have to battle, but he’s not one to talk about it much. I think the guys who don’t really speak about it much just have that inner-confidence that, 'I’m just going to do my job and if I’m prepared and I’m the best guy for the job, I’m going to win the job.'"
And if Rudock does indeed wind up starting for Michigan against Utah on Sept. 3?
"If Jake comes in and brings the same attitude he brought to Iowa, the relationship-building with the teammates because chemistry is so important and that’s a really good aspect that he has," Mastrole said, "I do think they could make some noise."
Ben Axelrod is Bleacher Report's Big Ten Lead Writer. You can follow him on Twitter @BenAxelrod. Unless noted otherwise, all quotes were obtained firsthand. All statistics courtesy of CFBStats.com. Recruiting rankings courtesy of 247Sports.
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