The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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QUARTERBACKS THE WOLVERINE 2024 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 45 season, completing 15 of 17 passes for 130 yards and a touchdown, while running four times for 35 yards. His individual season highlight involved going 5-for-6 for 63 yards passing in Michigan's win at Michigan State. Campbell assured that Tuttle would be "cleared for the summer and moving forward." Asked if Tuttle could be Michigan's Cade McNamara-type quarterback in 2024 — a game manager who doesn't turn it over and helps his team win — Michi- gan football radio play-by-play man Doug Karsch contemplated the suggestion. "He might be," Karsch said. "If he wins the full-time job — and I wouldn't ex- clude that as a possibility — I could see him being that kind of a quarterback. Cade McNamara was great at what Cade McNamara did well. He won a Big Ten title, and took a team to the College Foot- ball Playoff, when it was much harder to go to the College Football Playoff. "The bar is lowered a little bit — 12 teams are getting in, multiple-loss teams are getting in. So, you actually have some time to develop a quarterback and say we can afford to give that a little bit of pa- tience. "You don't want to lose too many games, but you have time to see what you can get out of a Jack Tuttle, an Alex Orji or whoever they decide to go with." Karsch acknowledged that we're liv- ing in a new era of college football and said it will be interesting to see the stra- tegic development of players when one loss doesn't end your season or your title hopes. Warren did step forward in the spring game, going 6-for-9 passing for 136 yards and 2 touchdowns for the winning Maize squad. One good day doesn't win a job, but for Warren — who bat- tled leukemia in high school and stands as a success story beyond football — the strong showing indicated he's not out of the race by any means. "What I saw from Davis is what I see from Davis every practice," Campbell said af- ter the spring game. "Noth- ing rattles him. He's been through a lot in his life and his career. He's got a great arm. I'm really proud of him and the effort that he gives. He was able to shine in The Big House and make two big throws. He puts in the work just like everybody else, and for him to get the opportunity is great." Warren appeared in five games last year (0-for-5, 1 interception) and will be seek- ing a breakthrough come fall. "That one day, he looked good, and he does throw it well," Karsch noted. "Again, I don't think they have bad options. They have different options, with different skill sets, that can be utilized in such a way that allows you to win games. "There are plenty of examples of quar- terbacks that are not as good as J.J. that won Big Ten championships. I don't set a ceiling on this team based on what I've seen from the quarterback position. I like what I've seen from the quarter- backs." STARTERS ★★★ ★★★ There are only potential starters here, until further notice. Junior Alex Orji provides the best combination of run and pass. If he can show consistency in the throwing game, he could be the most dynamic among the top candidates. If not, the door gets cracked open for the likes of seventh-year grad Jack Tuttle, whom some see as the top option for the fall. Senior Davis Warren looked good on throws in the spring game, but he needs to demonstrate a consistent ability to deliver the football and to lead the offense. This represents the most wide-open quarterback race since 2020, with substantially higher expectations for results. DEPTH ★★★ ★★★ The depth isn't bad, given that two of the above will be on hand as backups, or perhaps as a significant in-game insert. There's also freshman Jadyn Davis and junior Jayden Denegal, although both need work to be ready to step into a big-game situation. Michigan offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell noted the Wol- verines weren't thinking about the transfer portal at this position after the spring game but didn't close the door on it altogether. OVERALL ★★★ ★★★ Whoever wins the job, it's hard to follow a 15-0, national championship run and the best college quar- terback in the history of the program, according to the now NFL-reunited former head coach. Michigan's 2024 quarterback will have some weapons, no doubt. He'll need significant help from an all-new starting offensive line in the run game, and from U-M's talented tight ends in the passing attack. This is one season in which the starter against Fresno State might not be the starter against Ohio State. QUICK FACTS Position Coach: Kirk Campbell (2nd year; 1st as offensive coordinator) Returning Starter: None Departing Starter: J.J. McCarthy (28 career starts) Projected New Starter: Jack Tuttle (5 at Indi- ana) or Davis Warren or Alex Orji Top Reserve: Jayden Denegal Wait Until 2025: Jadyn Davis Newcomer: Davis Rookie Impact: None Most Improved Player: Orji Best Pro Prospect: Davis PRESEASON ANALYSIS Senior quarterback Davis Warren put forth a strong performance in the spring game (6-of-9 passing for 136 yards and 2 TDs) and looks to carry that mo- mentum into fall camp. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN U-M Year-By-Year Passing Stats Year Yards Per Game Touchdowns Interceptions 2023 213.7 24 5 2022 219.9 24 6 2021 228.7 21 9 2020 250.3 9 4 2019 250.9 25 9 2018 215.7 24 9 2017 171.2 9 10 2016 212.0 20 7 2015 237.7 21 10 2014 170.2 10 18