Despite unsettled battles at quarterback, right tackle and center, offensive line coach Grant Newsome feels that Michigan can excel regardless of who’s starting. He even went as far to say the Wolverines can win it all with either Alex Orji or Davis Warren leading the way:
With just three days remaining before Michigan’s 2024 football season gets underway against Fresno State, there are still some unsettled position battles being sorted out behind the scenes.
The highest-profile of these is at quarterback, where it is down to Alex Orji and Davis Warren . However, we’ve learned this week that not only are the battles still ongoing at center and right tackle, but some under-the-radar names have entered the fray in Dominick Giudice and Evan Link at center and right tackle, respectively.
Even though the Wolverines might not have named starters yet, the team still figures to be strong at these positions. One member of the program expressing confidence in this sentiment is offensive line coach Grant Newsome. He touched on the position battles and feels like the team is in a good place regardless of who will be on the field.
“No matter who the starting quarterback is — or any position — coach (Kirk) Campbell and coach (Sherrone) Moore are gonna put them in a great position to execute,” Newsome said when asked if there were concerns about having first-year starters at quarterback and center.
The fact the team hasn’t named a starter yet, particularly at quarterback, might cause some to be alarmed since it would appear one guy hasn’t jumped out ahead of the pack. Newsome however, said regardless of who’s starting, the offense can still run smoothly.
“They all can command the huddle, command the team, command the offense,” Newsome said.
Additionally, Newsome credited Campbell with there not being much of a difference in how the offense performs between the quarterbacks. Newsome also noted he felt similar about the competitors for the starting spots at center and right tackle.
“I feel full confidence in either one of those guys,” Newsome would add of Orji and Warren.
Internally, the team doesn’t seem overly-worried about the battle for quarterback not being over, as reports have been positive about both Orji and Warren. When asked if there was a growing sense of the team knowing who “the guy” was already, Newsome disagreed.
Although what each quarterback and offensive lineman brings to the table is different, it’s certainly encouraging that Newsome is confident in each of the potential suitors. It’s a great testament to the talent level and depth on the team.
It’s especially encouraging at quarterback, as Michigan is replacing one of the best in program history in J.J. McCarthy. But according to Newsome, Michigan can still compete at the highest level this year with a new man under center.
“I feel like we could win a national championship with either one of those guys,” Newsome said.
The team and fans won’t have to wait too much longer to figure out who’s starting against Fresno State. Earlier this week, Moore mentioned on the “Inside Michigan Football” radio show the team would likely learn who’s starting on Thursday, while fans will likely be waiting until Saturday.