Michigan’s offense is going through changes.
Michigan’s spring game kicks off at noon on Saturday and we’ll get our first look at a Wolverines offense that looks a whole lot different than it did last season.
Here are three things to watch on offense during Michigan’s spring game.
Who will be the starting quarterbacks for Maize and Blue?
Who will be Michigan’s QB1 once the regular season rolls around is very much to be determined, as it appears to be a wide-open race. However, we may get a better glimpse into who the frontrunners might be with who starts the spring game for the Maize team and the Blue team.
Here are quarterbacks vying to be Michigan’s starting QB.
- Alex Orji
- Jayden Denegal
- Jack Tuttle
- Davis Warren
- Jadyn Davis
Injury Note: Last month Sherrone Moore said that Jack Tuttle was “working through some things.”
True Freshman Watch: Jadyn Davis practiced with the Michigan team during their bowl prep, but those practices were closed to fans. Davis’ spring game debut will undoubtedly excite the Michigan faithful.
Who will be the starters of this group? Beyond who the starters are, who will receive the most playing time? We won’t know the answers to these questions until Saturday.
Which receivers are stepping up?
Michigan’s lost receivers to the NFL (Roman Wilson, Cornelius Johnson) and the transfer portal (Karmello English, Cristian Dixon). Players such as Fredrick Moore, Tyler Morris, and Semaj Morgan are going to receive a ton more playing time this fall. Others could contribute, such as former walk-on Peyton O’Leary who had a heck of a spring game in 2023, and redshirt freshman Kendrick Bell, the brother of former Michigan wideout Ronnie Bell. Then there are the true freshmen options in I’Marion Stewart and Channing Goodwin to keep an eye on.
While Morgan and Morris both made key plays in big games for Michigan last season and there’s a lot of positive buzz about Fredrick Moore, the trio are entering new territory in terms of what is expected of them on a down-by-down basis. They have to bring it.
Which QB/WR duo has the best rapport? That’s something worth finding out on Saturday.
Offensive line musical chairs
Michigan lost six offensive linemen to the NFL Draft , and that won’t be easy to replace. The good news is Michigan has players with experience as well as potential vying for a starting spot.
Tackle Myles Hinton transferred last year from Stanford and now he’ll be a full-fledged starter this season. Guard Josh Priebe, who transferred to Michigan from Northwestern this offseason is expected to snag a starting spot as well. Senior Greg Crippen will likely be the starting center. However, there are other players in the mix to start or rotate at guard and tackle including Andrew Gentry, Giovani El-Hadi, Jeff Persi. Raheem Anderson, Dominick Giudice, Tristan Bounds, and Amir Herring will all be hoping to play meaningful snaps as well.
Expect different line pairings to be rotated in and out of the game, also expect some of these players to play multiple positions along the line throughout the spring game. Michigan and offensive line coach Grant Newsome are still figuring it all out, and we’ll see a bit of their methodology and evaluation process unfold during the spring game.
Michigan prides itself in having a physical offensive line, and 2024 will be no different — it’s as important as ever for Michigan to have a great line to establish the running game and protect a new starting quarterback.
What will you be looking out for on offense for Michigan during the spring game? Let us know in the comments below.