CFB: QB Tate Forcier tweets he's leaving Michigan

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) - Former Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier, who helped the Wolverines win the first four games of the Rich Rodriguez era before slipping on the depth chart and in the classroom, is leaving the school.

"Its time for me to go," Forcier wrote on Twitter late Wednesday. Messages seeking comment were left with Forcier and his father on Thursday.

Forcier, a sophomore, backed up Denard Robinson in eight games last season. He was ruled academically ineligible to play in the Jan. 1 Gator Bowl.

Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon said last week that Forcier was no longer with the program as he introduced coach Brady Hoke as Rodriguez's successor.

"I hate acting like I'm dodging questions," Brandon said Jan. 12 when asked about Forcier's status. "But there are certain limitations as to what I can talk about relative to any student's academic status with the university,"

Michael Forcier, who traveled to Ann Arbor recently in the hopes of helping his son earn another chance with the Wolverines, said he was disappointed that Brandon said what he did.

"He could've used different words, but the new sheriff sent the media into a frenzy," Michael Forcier said last week. "Tate didn't flunk out, but he had two incomplete grades. If he was given a chance by at least one professor to make up the work and get a grade, he would be eligible."

Forcier was a prep star in San Diego who wound up starting for Michigan in his college debut. He played ahead of Robinson during the 2009 season when both were freshmen, and his picture wound up on a Sports Illustrated cover.

Injuries stunted his success and the Wolverines lost seven of their next eight games. Robinson moved past Forcier on the depth chart last spring and started the 2010 opener, accounting for 383 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Connecticut.

Freshman Devin Gardner replaced Robinson when he briefly left the game after getting hit hard while Forcier put a towel over his head on the sideline.

Afterward, Forcier told annarbor.com, "All you need to know is I'm out," though his father insisted he wouldn't transfer and was simply frustrated.

Forcier threw for 2,647 yards with 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 20 games with the Wolverines. His older brothers, Jason and Chris, both transferred from the first college they attended.

"With the past transfers, we all knew what was going on each time," Michael Forcier said. "With this one, I have no idea why they don't want Tate here anymore."