Michigan Wolverines Football 2024 – Position Group Preview: Quarterbacks

As the calendar flips to July, excitement builds for the 2024 college football season. There are just over three weeks until Big Ten Media Days in Indianapolis and just over a month until fall camps begin across the country.

After arguably the best season in program history, Michigan brings another full squad into 2024 with “Team 145.” In preparation for next year, it’s a good time to break down each of the Wolverines’ position groups with “One thing I like”, “One thing I don’t do” And “One thing to keep an eye on”Let’s start with the most important position on the field — quarterback.

Michigan has versatile options at quarterback in its first year under JJ McCarthy. Redshirt sophomore Alex Orji is the favorite to be the Wolverines’ starting lineup in 2024, and the 6’3″, 235-pound player brings a combination of size, strength and athleticism that we may not have seen in a Wolverines quarterback before. We expect Orji to be a weapon in the Wolverines’ running game and as a scrambler after rushing for 123 yards on 21 carries and three touchdowns over the past two seasons.

Meanwhile, graduate senior Jack Tuttle can be considered a “safer” option for Michigan. The former Indiana transfer brings starting experience from his time as a Hoosier and had good numbers in limited action last year as a backup to McCarthy, completing 15 of 17 passes for 130 yards and a touchdown.

While Michigan’s starter will likely be one of the two guys mentioned above, redshirt junior David Warren looked great in Michigan’s spring game and adds some depth to the position. The Wolverines also return redshirt sophomore Jayden Denegal and add a true freshman and a former four-star recruit Jadyn Davis to the squad in 2024.

As mentioned above, Orji will likely be the first quarterback Michigan puts on the field against Fresno State in Week 1. I’m intrigued by the redshirt sophomore, but he has officially only attempted one pass in his career – a five-yard pass during his 2022 freshman season.

There is a certain amount of uncertainty with Orji. He got off to a slow start in Michigan’s spring game in April, but finished the game with a solid stat line of 11-of-17 passing for 95 yards. We also saw his effectiveness as a scrambler, running for an 18-yard touchdown. However, there is only so much you can take from a spring game, as quarterbacks are not allowed to be hit.

Orji’s physicality makes him an exciting prospect. He has a strong arm and can shut down many defenders. Still, we’re not sure if he’ll end up looking more like Cam Newton or Joe Milton. Time will tell.

Although there is still some uncertainty about the position for 2024, Michigan has recruited at a very high level for the quarterback position since then. Kirk Campbell became the QB coach. That starts with Davis, a four-star player who was considered the No. 112 overall prospect and No. 9 quarterback in the 2024 recruiting class. Although the 6-foot-3, 200-pound player is unlikely to play a role in the Wolverines’ battle for the quarterback position this year, he could be UM’s quarterback of the future.

Davis will have competition in that endeavor, however, after Campbell signed four-star quarterback Bishop Verot from Fort Myers, Florida. Carter Smith in the class of 2025. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound player has been compared to McCarthy due to his similar build and mental makeup, and his potential is heavily touted. Smith is considered the 161st overall prospect and the No. 14 quarterback in the class of 2025.

Michigan also traveled to Florida to grab the Class of 2026 quarterback prospect, the four-star playmaker from Cocoa High School. Brady Hart. The 6’4″, 180-pound player is currently the highest-rated of the three players mentioned in this section and is the 92nd-ranked prospect and 7th-ranked quarterback in his class. Campbell has done an excellent job of recruiting from the high school ranks and has set the Wolverines up for future season success.

More coverage of University of Michigan athletics: