UTSA Adds Michigan QB Transfer Russell Bellomy

Larry Coker and the UTSA Roadrunners gathered a late addition to the 2015 recruiting class this weekend with former Michigan quarterback Russell Bellomy announcing his intention to transfer to UTSA this fall. Since Bellomy will receive his bachelor's degree from UM this spring he will be immediately eligible at UTSA. Bellomy will have at least one year of eligibility in San Antonio but he may be able to receive a medical redshirt for his 2013 season in which he tore his ACL in spring practice.

The 6'3", 217 pound native Texan never saw meaningful playing time in Ann Arbor but was highly recruited as a three star dual-threat quarterback coming out of Martin High School in Arlington. Bellomy saw most of his collegiate snaps in his sophomore season where he would pass for just 46 yards on 21 attempts while also rushing for 16 yards on 12 carries. Bellomy never found the end zone during his time at Michigan but he did throw four interceptions.

While Bellomy clearly struggled in the Big Ten he has ample tools to compete in Conference USA. Bellomy's infusion into the program creates an interesting dynamic in the UTSA quarterback battle.

Offensive coordinator Kevin Brown has several promising young athletes (Blake Bogenschutz, Austin Robinson, Jaylon Henderson, Manny Harris) to experiment with but Bellomy is the only upperclassman signal caller. That's where I think Bellomy brings value to UTSA's program even if he isn't able to win the QB1 spot. It's important to have an elder statesman of sorts to guide young athletes and groom them into leaders. Bellomy studied sports management as an undergraduate so I suspect he's interested in becoming a coach. There's no better jump start on a coaching career than teaching a bunch of freshmen and sophomores the ropes of college football.

I think this transfer is a win for both parties even if Blake Bogenschutz wins the quarterback battle like I anticipate him to. UTSA gets a solid backup option at QB and some much-needed maturity in the locker room while Bellomy gets another opportunity to prove himself while getting a graduate degree paid for.