Iowa’s Ott on Rudock: ‘I thought he had a little more fight in him’

IOWA CITY - Iowa defensive end Drew Ott didn't mince words about quarterback Jake Rudock departing for fellow Big Ten program Michigan.

When asked if he was surprised Rudock elected to transfer, Ott said, 'I thought he had a little more fight in him. I guess an opportunity arised over there at Michigan. I don't know too much about it.”

Rudock, who will be a senior, started 25 games in his Iowa career and ranked second in the Big Ten last year in completion percentage (61.7). He tossed 16 touchdowns and just five interceptions last season.

Less than a week after Iowa's 45-28 loss to Tennessee in the TaxSlayer Bowl, Rudock was demoted to backup behind C.J. Beathard, with whom he shared time last season. Beathard will be a junior this fall, while Rudock will graduate this spring. Rudock opted to leave rather than compete behind Beathard.

Rudock chose Michigan and his transfer was approved two weeks ago by the Big Ten's academics and eligibility subcommittee. Michigan made his move official last week.

Iowa and Michigan are not scheduled to play this year.

Ott touted Rudock's on-field smarts and his ability to get the team in and out of bad plays. But when asked about Rudock's leadership qualities, Ott replied, 'I don't know. You'd have to ask someone else.”

Rudock was 14-11 as Iowa's starting quarterback and was 1-0 in his only start against the Wolverines, a 24-21 Iowa win in 2013. Minnesota Coach Jerry Kill said Wednesday that Rudock is a good athlete with a strong arm. Minnesota, which was 1-1 against Rudock as a starting quarterback, plays Michigan two weeks before the Gophers face Iowa.

'He's a good quarterback, and I'm sure he'll do well,” Kill said.

Rudock started as a sophomore against Purdue but missed last year's game with a leg injury. Purdue Coach Darrell Hazell said he supports graduate transfers but struggled to recall Rudock's previous effort against the Boilermakers. In 2013, Rudock completed 12 of 20 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-14 win.

'I think if a guy wants to move on after he finishes his education and wants to play another year at another institution then he should be granted that,” Hazell said. 'I support that.

'I can't remember all the details of (Rudock). I'm sure he's a good player, and I think he'll help those guys out.”

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