The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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who can do the same now, Rogan pos- tulated. "Coach Harbaugh maybe wasn't the fastest quarterback, not like these guys today, and he didn't have the best arm, but he did a lot of the little things right and he played with a swagger that gave confidence to teammates," Ro- gan said. "When he was on the field, you felt like you had a chance, and that carries over into coaching because when he's your guy on the sideline you think you're going to win every game. "That's what he's looking for in his quarterbacks. He wants a leader. He wants the guy, like those Army com- mercials, that sees danger and runs into the fight and rallies his teammates to join him." CRUCIBLE OF THE CANDIDATES Harbaugh quickly corrects anyone about the quarterback candidates on the roster. There are seven of them on hand in the spring, he gently chides. Three of them own scholarships, and appear to be fighting it out to gain whatever upper hand a strong spring showing provides. There's Shane Morris, the 6-3, 209-pound ris- ing junior lefty who has appeared in 10 career games. (Note: Class years indicated are for fall 2015.) He's com- pleted 43 of 87 passes (49.4 percent) with no touchdowns and five inter- ceptions. Morris stepped in to start the ill- fated Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl in 2013 when former U-M quarterback Devin Gardner succumbed to in- jury against Ohio State. Morris then started against Minnesota last year, absorbing a mild concussion that set off a storm of confusion and media scrutiny with regard to its handling. Morris is looking to step forward and grab the job, but he's getting pushed hard by sophomore Wilton Speight, who certainly looks the part at 6-6 and 235 pounds. The second- year player did not see action in 2014, but he's looking for a big break- through this season. Meanwhile, freshman Alex Mal- zone (6-2, 218) enrolled in January, allowing him to go through winter conditioning and compete in spring football practices. He's not on equal footing regarding time spent in the college game, but he's step for step in learning Michigan's new offensive system. The question becomes: Who steps up most over the course of 15 spring practices, and how decisive is that move? "We're not putting a timetable on that," Harbaugh said, regarding a QB emerging. "That will be the one posi- tion I'm sure we'll talk about. I don't have one to name today. At some point, you'd like to think that's clear- cut and that somebody earns that, and it's not close. That's what we'll be hoping for. They were all good to start." New quarterbacks/wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator Jedd Fisch gave thumbnails on those three scholarship quarterbacks March 10. Here's his breakdown: • Morris — "Shane has a very strong arm, which everyone knows. He spins it well. He just has to under-