Michigan’s had three starting quarterbacks this season and they’ve all struggled. Here’s why true freshman Jadyn Davis should receive playing time.
The 4-3 Michigan Wolverines have had some of the most abysmal quarterback play in the nation this season.
Michigan ranks No. 129 in passing offense. Their quarterbacks (Davis Warren, Alex Orji, Jack Tuttle) have thrown a combined six passing touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Because Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore has already inserted three starting quarterbacks this season and they’ve all played poorly, why not give true freshman Jadyn Davis some playing time? He doesn’t even have to start. Moore can gradually increase Davis’ reps if he shows promise in live action.
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound freshman was ranked as the No. 93 overall player in the 2024 class and No. 7 quarterback. As a senior at Providence Day School in Charlotte, Davis threw for 3,370 yards with 43 passing touchdowns and three rushing scores.
On Monday, Moore spoke about where Davis is at in his development, saying “he’s definitely continued to progress.”
“Progression and knowledge of not only the system, but just football in general,” Moore said. “When you’re in high school, you do limited things, you’re limited in what you do. He’s definitely taken steps to put himself in a good position.”
Davis was an early enrollee and was with the team during practices for the Rose Bowl and National Championship. Davis earned praise from former Michigan running back Blake Corum, who called Davis a “great leader” and some who “is going to be special.” Corum also saw a little bit of former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy in Davis. McCarthy received significant snaps as a true freshman as Cade McNamara’s backup. Maybe Davis should be thrown into the fire just like McCarthy.
“You need to be the field general just like J.J. is, and I see that in Davis,” Corum told Maize n Brew last December .
McCarthy was 34-of-59 as a freshman for 516 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions along with 124 rushing yards and two rushing scores. Former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh said it was important to give McCarthy time on task in order for him to grow as a quarterback.
“We just try to get him in there as much as we can,” Harbaugh said in October of 2021. “That’s the thinking.”
With Michigan’s quarterbacks struggling mightily, could Davis be any worse? Michigan now has three losses on the season, it’s time to start thinking about what helps the team now and in 2025. Inserting Davis, even as a change-of-pace option, could serve the team well now and in the future.
Even the Washington Huskies are giving true freshman Demond Williams Jr. reps while they have a stellar veteran quarterback in Will Rogers. Williams has completed 26-of-33 passes for 242 yards and two passing touchdowns along with 133 yards rushing. The experiences Williams has had this season could serve he and the Washington team greatly in 2025. Michigan should have the same approach with Davis.
Michigan has five games remaining in the regular season and Davis has yet to make an appearance. If Michigan doesn’t want to burn Davis’ redshirt that would mean he can play in up to four games the rest of the season. Further, the NCAA now exempts all postseason competition from the four-game policy. There are opportunities for Davis to play while not burning his redshirt status, and Michigan would be wise to see what the kid can do.