The Michigan Wolverines welcomed former Fresno State Bulldogs quarterback Mikey Keene through the transfer portal earlier this week. One high-ranking Michigan coach offered an interesting comment and comparison for the incoming QB.
Wink Martindale Compares Mikey Keene With Kyler Murray — But Is It A Compliment Or A Dig?
Wink Martindale has been around the block. He served on staff for four teams in his 20-year career as an NFL coach, namely as the defensive coordinator for the New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens.
Following the absence of former DC Mike Macdonald, who left Michigan to become the Seattle Seahawks head coach, Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore brought Martindale in to lead the defensive side of the ball.
The results, albeit coming off a season ranked No. 1, have been good: a top-25 scoring defense, giving up only 20.5 ppg.
The Wolverines finished with a 7-5 record and will take on the Alabama Crimson Tide in the ReliaQuest Bowl on December 31.
Just this week, former Fresno State quarterback Mikey Keene transferred to Michigan, hoping to solve the quarterback woes that plagued the team at times in 2024.
During his pre-bowl game media session, Martindale was asked about Keene. His response was comical, yet peculiar.
“I call him a broke man’s Kyler Murray.”
Huh? That is an interesting answer, that’s for sure.
One X user commented, “Is that even a compliment?”
The comparison is hard to look past. Getting compared to the 2018 Heisman Trophy winner can’t be that bad. Across three seasons in college, Murray threw for 5,406 yards and 50 touchdowns, along with nearly 1,500 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground.
In four seasons, two each with the UCF Knights and Fresno State Bulldogs, Keene has passed for 8,245 yards and 65 touchdowns. The puzzling stat, though, is his negative rushing yards. In his career, he has -379 yards and only two rushing touchdowns.
Martindale may be referring solely to the height of Keene and Murray. Each is under six feet with a rather slight frame.
Or, the 71-year-old Martindale is just reaching the age where he doesn’t care how what he says is taken, no matter how odd.
FOLLOW ALONG: Track Every Transfer Portal Entrant in our CFN Transfer Portal Tracker now!
You’d think it’s a compliment from Keene’s future defensive coordinator. Whatever the interpretation, leave it to Martindale to make an off-the-wall comment, confusing college football fans and experts alike.
College Football Network has you covered with the latest from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, and every Group of Five conference and FBS Independent program.