The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1516256
MARCH 2024 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 11 ❱ INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS U-M Will Need To Hit The Transfer Portal This Spring By Chris Balas Michigan should have plenty of talent returning in 2024 if new coach Sher- rone Moore can convince most of his team to return, but there's one missing piece — quarterback. The Wolverines were blessed with an all-timer in J.J. McCarthy for two years after Cade McNamara helped lead the Wolverines to a Big Ten title in 2021, but there's nobody on the team now with any experi- ence, and no heir apparent. Former head coach Jim Harbaugh turned to a transfer after spring 2015 for his first Michigan quarterback, nabbing Jake Rudock from Iowa. That turned out to be a great addition for a first-year coach, with Rudock throwing for over 3,000 yards in a 10-3 season capped by a Capital One Bowl win over Florida. Moore will probably have to do the same if this team is going to compete for a College Football Playoff spot in 2024 (keeping in mind it's expanding to 12 this season). There are some quarterbacks on this roster, and some have potential, but all were considered "projects" when they arrived for a reason. Alex Orji, considered by many the frontrunner of the bunch, has only thrown a handful of passes in his career, and Harbaugh mentioned him as a possible kick returner. That doesn't scream "confidence" that he can be the next guy. We do believe there's a place for Orji, but he'd have to come a long way this offseason to start. It's more likely Moore nabs an experienced quarterback from the portal this spring, and that whoever it is earns the job. Michigan's Starting QB Is In Ann Arbor By Clayton Sayfie It would be great if Michigan picked up a quarterback in the transfer portal this spring, allowing him to compete for the starting job with senior Davis Warren and juniors Jayden Denegal and Alex Orji. In fact, the Wolverines should absolutely pursue signal-callers and land one. But it's hard to predict that the individual would come in and become the starter over players who have been here for years. The last time Michigan had a new head coach, Jake Rudock joined the team after 2015 spring ball, won the job and led the Wolverines to 10 wins, but he already possessed loads of experience, having attempted 691 career passes at Iowa before making the move to Ann Arbor. It's unlikely that a player such as Rudock — someone who has proven he can win in a power conference — will be out there this spring. A year ago, only one of the top 15 quarterbacks in the transfer portal ac- cording to On3's rankings transferred after spring ball as opposed to during the December period. That was Michigan State's Payton Thorne, who wound up at Auburn. He started for the Tigers but was underwhelming in 2023. Michigan has enough options at quarterback to bet that the starter will be one of Warren, Denegal or Orji. Warren has impressed during practices, spring games and garbage time, Denegal has flashed late in games and Orji is a dynamic athlete with a lot of promise. ❱ POINT ❙ COUNTERPOINT ❰ IS MICHIGAN'S NEXT STARTING QUARTERBACK ON THE CURRENT ROSTER? Rising junior Alex Orji saw action in reserve at quarterback, and while he averaged 5.7 yards per carry, he did not attempt any passes last season. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN