Final 2024 Michigan football preseason position analysis: Quarterback

Looks like we have a surprise starter. #GoBlue

Primer

There’s been no position more contested for Michigan football this offseason than the starting quarterback. It has been a hotly contested battle with many twists and turns, but here’s what we project come the season opener on Aug. 31.

Projected starter: Davis Warren
Rotation: Alex Orji, Jack Tuttle, Jayden Denegal, Jadyn Davis

Position outlook

Long thought to be Alex Orji’s position to lose, Davis Warren has challenged him throughout both spring ball and fall camp. Jack Tuttle could have been in the mix, but injuries have hindered his progress.

While there has been no announcement yet, rumors started swirling late on Thursday that Davis Warren appears to have won the job. That doesn’t mean it’s ironclad — far from it. If it took Warren until two days before the season opener to win the job — though head coach Sherrone Moore says he wants one starter — given that Orji will assuredly have packages, he could very well wrest away the tenuous starting position. This isn’t necessarily a tryout as it was in 2022 between Cade McNamara and J.J. McCarthy, but the starting job is likely just as precarious as it was that year.

When Tuttle is healthy, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him work his way into the mix or even take over as the starter. The seventh-year player is a former four-star who was the backup last year. Jayden Denegal and freshman Jadyn Davis will likely work into games late, when Michigan has a decided advantage.