This spring brought little clarity regarding the most important position.
It was probably always wishful thinking that the Michigan Wolverines would snag a bona fide starting quarterback out of the transfer portal this spring. Those sort of players do not arise often at this stage of the year, and truthfully it seems like the coaching staff likes what it has in its crowded-yet-unproven quarterback room heading into the 2024 season.
As such, some combination of Alex Orji, Jack Tuttle, Davis Warren, Jayden Denegal, and Jadyn Davis will be under center this season in Ann Arbor. No matter what that looks like this fall, it will absolutely be a step back from top-10 pick J.J. McCarthy, but there is a way that the quarterback performance is still serviceable enough to keep the offense productive.
How do you think Michigan’s quarterback battle will play out?
The leading option right now has to be Orji, especially after seeing everything play out in the spring game. While his arm is far from perfect, it does not seem substantially different than any of his peers, and his legs obviously offer an element that no other quarterback contender boasts. While Warren looked pretty good in the scrimmage, Orji is just a much more dynamic player, and I expect him to start all season.
The unknown is Tuttle, who is still dealing with some injuries. Theoretically, he and Orji could battle it out this summer — and maybe even carry that battle into the season — but it feels like the coaching staff would like to have a defined starter. Shoutout to young Jadyn Davis, who should have a bright future; Michigan is not going to throw a true freshman out there, though I would not be completely against it if things go south…
What do you think? How will Sherrone Moore end up replacing J.J. McCarthy? Let us know in the comments below!