With JJ McCarthy officially departing for the NFL Draft, one of the biggest question marks offensively for the Wolverines is at the quarterback position. Michigan will return guys like Alex Orji, Davis Warren, and Jayden Denegal, but there’s also the potential that veteran QB Jack Tuttle will have a shot at earning the starting job – assuming the NCAA grants him a seventh year of eligibility.
Tuttle transferred from Indiana to Michigan prior to the start of the 2023 season as a graduate student, and completed 15-of-17 attempts for 130 yards and one touchdown in limited action during his first year as a Wolverine. Given the fact that he spent five seasons at Indiana and one at Michigan, Tuttle is by far the most experienced option that Michigan would have at the QB spot heading into 2024 if he’s granted another year.
The other options at the QB spot are also intriguing, beginning with Alex Orji. The 6-3, 236 pounder is heading into his junior season after spending much of his sophomore year as essentially a wrecking ball during his time on the field. Orji appeared in six games and, although he can clearly throw the ball, all of his 15 snaps were designed run plays. He finished the year with 15 attempts for 86 yards (5.7 yards per carry) and one touchdown. Orji is an intriguing option because he’s built like a linebacker, but clearly has the speed, athleticism, and arm strength to pose a problem to any opposing defense. The biggest question for Orji moving forward will be his grasp of the offense, his ability to take care of the ball, and his ability to be the type of leader required of a QB1 at the University of Michigan.
Davis Warren and Jayden Denegal are also two guys who figure to be in the mix, although both have limited experience when it comes to playing on Saturdays. And then there’s true freshman Jadyn Davis, who arrives in Ann Arbor in much the same way that McCarthy did back in 2021. It is assumed that it is only a matter of time before Davis takes over the QB1 spot, but it would be a bit surprising to see it happen during his freshman season.
