The transition from Jim Harbaugh and J.J. McCarthy to Sherrone Moore and the next crop of Michigan quarterbacks has been tougher than the Wolverines wanted it to be. After Moore benched Davis Warren in last week’s win over Arkansas State, the school is reportedly mulling its future plans at the position.
According to ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel, Michigan are believed to be treating 2024 as a “bridge year at quarterback” and will use the 2025 offseason to land a top transfer quarterback when one becomes available. Appearing on the College GameDay Podcast with Rece Davis, he explained that the Wolverines were not prepared for McCarthy to leave and go to the NFL following his junior season, so they were ill-prepared for his departure when he announced it.
“This is a bridge year at quarterback for Michigan, and this is a byproduct of them being spoiled by their success,” Thamel said. “A year ago at this time, J.J. McCarthy going pro just wasn’t a conversation — at least J.J. McCarthy being the 10th pick in the draft was not a conversation. He could have gone pro, but he had not played to the level. Even in mid-November last year, people weren’t staunchly standing on the table.”
Things started to look back when the Wolverines got blown out at home by the Texas Longhorns in Week 2. But they got worse in Week 3 against Arkansas State when Warren repeatedly turned the ball over, compelling Moore to bench him in order to save the game, which they wound up winning 28-18 after Alex Orji took over.
Michigan fans certainly don’t want to see their national championship defense year turned into a rebuilding season, but things certainly appear to be trending that way.
The plus side is that the Wolverines could wind up with one of the top experienced quarterbacks available when they hit the transfer portal in just a few months.
Who will be the starting quarterback for the Wolverines in 2025?
Related: Michigan HC Sherrone Moore Explains Decision To Bench QB Davis Warren