A four-year letterman at Michigan, former quarterback Devin Gardner made 31 starts for the Wolverines. Twenty-seven of those starts were at quarterback, where he succeeded throughout his collegiate career. In 2013, he set a single-game record for passing yards against Indiana when he threw for 503 yards, and he ranks fourth on Michigan’s career passing yards list (6,336). Now, as Gardner makes his transition to the NFL, he is focusing on playing wide receiver, where he started four games for the Wolverines. 

“I made the decision a little after the season,” Gardner said after his first day of practice at the East-West Shrine game. “I feel good about it.”

Gardner’s exceptional athleticism allowed him to make plays via his arm and legs in college. Now, he will look to incorporate his hands after making the switch from quarterback to receiver.

“I feel like playing quarterback helped me become a receiver,” Gardner said.

In 2012, he opened the season as a receiver, playing eight games at the position. He finished with 16 catches for 266 yards and four touchdowns before moving to quarterback for the final five games of the year, replacing Denard Robinson. He remained at quarterback for the duration of his career at Michigan. The fifth-year senior finished the last two years as the Wolverines’ starting quarterback.

Now, he faces the same challenge that his former Wolverines teammate faced. 

Denard Robinson played quarterback at Michigan, but switched to running back when the NFL called. In his second season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Robinson emerged as a true player-maker – leading the team in rushing. Gardner is going to walk the same road as he attempts to be selected in the 2015 NFL Draft at a new position.

“I’m a competitor so I feel like it’s easy for me to compete,” Gardner said regarding the transition. “If a team still needs me as a quarterback, I can still sling it.”

Another wrinkle for any team adding Gardner to their roster is his ability to contribute in more than one way. During the first day of practice, Gardner held his own among some of the nation’s top defensive backs. One of the last plays of the afternoon involved Gardner catching a pass near the sidelines and holding on to the football after taking a big hit at the end.

“It felt good to end practice that way,” Gardner said with a smile from ear to ear. “Now I have to learn the little nuances and just get better.”

Gardner will be under intense scrutiny over the next several days playing receiver in the East-West Shrine game. After day one, he followed up practice with a long talk with a San Francisco 49ers scout. It marks the first of many interviews for Gardner over the next several months as he prepares for the next level.