Will Michigan add a quarterback to replace J.J. McCarthy as Transfer Portal opens ahead of spring game?
The Michigan quarterback battle continues with the spring game just around the corner for the Wolverines. It turns that when you attempt to replace the best quarterback in school history it's not an easy task.Alex Orji, the 6'3", 235-pound dual threat is certainly an option, but he's only attempted one pass in college. Jayden Denegal […]
The Michigan quarterback battle continues with the spring game just around the corner for the Wolverines. It turns that when you attempt to replace the best quarterback in school history it's not an easy task.
Alex Orji, the 6'3", 235-pound dual threat is certainly an option, but he's only attempted one pass in college. Jayden Denegal might have the best arm talent, but may not bring the same threat with his legs. Jack Tuttle brings some experience, but definitely hasn't impressed when given opportunities in the past.
Sam Webb of Michigan Insider broke down the QB competition this week with 247Sports. It's clear the team is struggling to replace J.J. McCarthy, and had this to say on the recently departed star quarterback:
"You're leaving the best QB to ever play at the University of Michigan. Talent wise, production wise, leadership wise, J.J. [McCarthy] checked all those boxes."
J.J. McCarthy truly was special. His raw stat totals weren't the most impressive, but he was one of the most efficient passers in the nation, and perhaps the best executor of the scheme he was asked to play within last year among all quarterbacks. Replacing him is obviously a tall task. But who's in the lead for the Michigan football job right now?
"It looks like Alex Orji right now…It's very much a competition."
Sam Webb (among others I have talked to close to the program) certainly believes Alex Orji has a lead right now, but it's definitely a wide open competition. The talent gap is clearly not a wide one. And according to Webb, both Jayden Denegal and Jack Tuttle are still firmly in the mix:
"He has to hold off a guy like Jayden Denegal…He has to hold off a guy like Jack Tuttle who has started games at the college level."
Beyond Denegal and Tuttle, it's a bit surprising that the talented true freshman Jadyn Davis hasn't gotten more love this spring. He was one of the best quarterbacks in the entire 2024 recruiting class and has great physical tools. But the longer the QB battle persists, the easier it should be for Sherrone Moore to lean towards the freshman if he's thinking about the long-term future of the program.
However, the team could also look to the Transfer Portal if Moore and the coaching staff don't like what they see after the spring game this coming Saturday. There are plenty of intriguing options already in the portal, with more to come in the next ten days or so, and the spring window is open until April 30th. Timmy McClain at UCF would give them a dynamic quarterback type they don't already have on the roster. Collin Schlee from UCLA (and Kent State before that) would be an upgrade over Tuttle with a similar skill set. And more quarterbacks are entering the portal every day.
Michigan has plenty of potential options to try and replace J.J. McCarthy, but are any of them actually good? Hopefully the spring game provides some clarity on Saturday. But if it doesn't? Look for Sherrone Moore and Michigan to add a quarterback via the Transfer Portal. And even then, expect this battle to continue, perhaps even into the regular season.
Be looking for more Michigan Football coverage here at A to Z Sports all year long! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!
And if you want to watch some Jadyn Davis highlights to get excited about the future of the quarterback position at Michigan check out the video below!
