There are now less than three weeks remaining before Michigan football officially begins its national championship defense, yet the Wolverines still have not decided on a starting quarterback.
Media is not privy to practice which remains behind closed doors; anything gleaned as to who has looked good or who hasn’t, who’s gelling or who has not, has come via players and coaches during interviews, who relay their opinions and what they’ve seen.
On Monday, it was wide receiver Semaj Morgan’s turn to gas up his new signal callers and the rising sophomore didn’t miss a beat. He told a story of how he spoke to his dad prior to his Dec. 1, 2021 commitment about joining the run-heavy Wolverines, when his dad helped him understand, “J.J. McCarthy is there … he’s not just going to hand the ball off.”
Well, McCarthy, taken 10th by the Minnesota Vikings in April’s NFL draft, is now gone which has left an open competition between those who remain: graduate student Jack Tuttle, senior Davis Warren, juniors Alex Orji and Jayden Denegal and true freshman Jadyn Davis.
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Many thought U-M may go into the portal to fill the void in the offseason, but offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell and company did not, instead operating with the belief that between the various skillsets in the room, there will be someone ready to take the reigns.
From Morgan’s perspective, widely picked as one of the two or three receivers most poised to make a leap, the QB room has not only taken steps forward since spring, but also developed into one of the tightest competitions on the team.
“Our quarterback room, it’s actually like a true battle,” Morgan said on campus in Ann Arbor. “It’s so pure, it’s so good to watch. I’ve caught great balls from 16 (Warren), 10 (Orji), 13 (Tuttle), 2 (Davis), 4 (Denegal) — everybody … every quarterback will always bring something different to the table.”
What that is exactly is difficult to say.
To this point, everyone around U-M program is playing the quarterback situation tight to the vest; they seemingly don’t want to upset anybody still in the room or create any unnecessary drama until a starter is anointed by first-year coach Sherrone Moore.
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That holds true for defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, who has been used to chasing McCarthy around in practice the past two seasons. While none might be at that level yet, the man rated in the top 10 of The Athletic’s “freaks list” heaped praise on the room.
“I wouldn’t say one quarterback is giving us a tougher time (than another),” Grant said. “Alex Orji, he’s doing a pretty good job, Tuttle and Davis Warren. I mean Davis Warren, he threw a beautiful deep ball yesterday, that was pretty good.
“It’s all about getting reps, just trying to get better every day.”
Grant said the offense has been noticeably better since spring ball, in large part because it’s seeing stiff competition.
For years, the Wolverines have prided themselves on the depth of their roster and the difficulty of their practices. Players have said practices are noticeably more difficult than games; which is not an accident, rather part of the team’s long-held “iron sharpens iron” philosophy.
Even though the offense is young and the quarterbacks are rotating, projected All-Americans like Grant still admit that U-M’s offense is winning its share of battles; more than the defense would care to acknowledge.
“I would say it’s 50/50 still,” Grant said on the frequency each side of the ball wins in practice. “Like I’d say the other day, the offense kind of gave us a run for our money. (Defensive coordinator) coach Wink (Martindale) kind of got on our ass about that. So the offense is still giving us a run for our money.
“He’s not much of a big yeller, but when he’s mad, you can tell he’s mad. Turns into more of a stern voice.”
Neither Moore nor Campbell would commit to a hard and fast date where a starter was named — both were on staff in 2022 when the battle between McCarthy and current Iowa QB Cade McNamara wasn’t decided until after Week 2 — but each has acknowledged it’s better for the offense to know sooner so it can begin to form its true identity.
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While all have been said to have received their opportunity to rotate in with both the 1s and the 2s (Campbell’s depth chart at the beginning of fall camp was simply a hierarchy in terms of seniority), it seems as though it’s coming down to a three-man race: Orji, the runner, Tuttle, the veteran, and Warren, the passer.
Each quarterback has his strengths, but they aren’t just a one-trick player either.
“Everybody’s given me some challenges in the deep pass, short pass,” defensive back Jyaire Hill said. “Running, all the quarterbacks are fast … I feel like they’re the same to me. … Jack is really fast, like really fast.”
In addition to finding someone able to operate the offense — someone who make the right reads, complete the pass on time and on target, take the safe play and not the spectacular one — Campbell said he wanted to find a leader in the room. Someone the guys will follow and trust.
The good news: Even without a starter named yet, Morgan feels the offense has exactly that.
“Our quarterbacks, they’re all ready,” Morgan said. “Whichever one they throw in that position … they’re going to be ready, they’ll be prepared to go in the fire. Whoever we go in the fire with, I trust and I’m truly behind it.”
Michigan fans: Celebrate the 2023 national title with Free Press commemorative books: “Blue Reign” and “Maize & Grand,” and check out special wall art of our front page from the morning after the championship win.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan might be down to 3 QBs competing to win starting job
