where does Michigan turn at QB? with him leaving

Who is going to be the quarterback?

Every season, college football teams throughout the country grapple with this age-old conundrum. Add Michigan to the list by 2024.

With J.J. McCarthy leaving to forego his final year of eligibility and declare for the NFL draft, the position is expected to be wide open for the first time in four seasons once spring practice begins.

McCarthy was the guy last year. Before that, we knew it would either McCarthy or Cade McNamara. McNamara was the best choice in 2021.

But this year? It’s not nearly as obvious.

The Wolverines are set to return at least three scholarship quarterbacks in the fall, and potentially a fourth (Jack Tuttle) depending upon an eligibility ruling from the NCAA. Smart money says the starter will likely come out of that group.

Among those four, Tuttle — a transfer from Indiana — has the most experience, having appeared in 21 college games while making five starts. He doesn’t possess any superstar traits but knows the game and can get the job done.

If Tuttle is ruled ineligible, then it could come down to three: Senior Davis Warren, a former walk-on turned scholarship player, or sophomores Alex Orji and Jayden Denegal.

Orji might be considered the leader in the clubhouse at the moment, with his 6-foot-3, 236-pound frame earning him snaps in key games down the stretch of Michigan’s national title team. Like McCarthy in ‘21, Orji had designed runs inserted into the offense for him — and he more often than not completed the task. But the former three-star recruit has attempted just one pass in two seasons.

“Alex is like the scariest, athletic guy on our whole team,” Jim Harbaugh told reporters during the lead-up to the Rose Bowl. “He’s ready to throw the ball, he really is.”

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