ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Jack Tuttle didn’t have to go anywhere or do anything. After having completed his fifth year in college football as a backup, he could have joined the workforce — he already has an MBA in finance and a varied educational background, including supply chain management and business analytics. Yet, he wanted one more go-round.
So Tuttle sought out a third program to join, after having spent his first year at Utah and the past four at Indiana.
He wound up at Michigan, reuniting with former associate head coach Mike Hart, the current Wolverine running backs coach. The southern California native says that those connections he had with the coaching staff in Ann Arbor played a big part in his arrival at the rival Big Ten East school.
“So there were a lot of relationships,” Tuttle said. “Obviously, relationships for me to come here. I knew coach Harbaugh, coach Hart before. And that’s what really sparked coming here for me.”
A former team captain in Bloomington, Tuttle has done his best to acclimate and integrate himself into the maize and blue culture. It has helped that his fellow team captain at IU, tight end AJ Barner, also ventured north.
But for him, the biggest challenge is just learning the ins and outs of the Michigan football program, though having a former and current teammate going through the same rigors has helped him immensely.
“I guess just adjusting to — I know every program has a different culture,” Tuttle said. “Adjusting to that, and the new locker room and the people — which obviously has been fantastic. So, AJ (Barner) and I both came from same place (Indiana) so that’s been helpful when we’re rooming together. And so it’s been a pretty good transition for both of us.”
So, why did Tuttle decide to play for a sixth year?
He redshirted at Utah before transferring to Indiana and also has 2020 as the COVID-year exception. For him, it’s simple: he wants to be a part of a team that has the capability to win it all. He believes he has unfinished business.
“For me, personally, it’s not over till it’s over,” Tuttle said. “That’s kind of something I live by. And my dad and I have always talked about it’s not over till it’s over. And, people (ask), why Michigan? Why come here? What’s your goal here? I have a couple of goals. But the main goal right now, and what I’m focused on is doing everything I can to help this team win a national championship and achieve all its goals.
“So that’s where my work is going to right now. That’s what I’m striving for. And I’m going to help and do whatever I can to make sure we achieve that goal.”
Nevertheless, it’s a different decision to go somewhere where you know you’re going to be the backup. J.J. McCarthy is entrenched as the starting quarterback, and there’s no player on Michigan’s current roster likely to unseat the former five-star.
Tuttle said he had other opportunities that would have offered a straighter line to playing time, but, for him, it wasn’t about that. It was joining a championship culture and supporting McCarthy the best he can.
“I’m gonna come in and compete. And J.J. has been phenomenal,” Tuttle said. “That whole quarterback room has been great — coach Kirk. And I’m blessed, honestly blessed to come into that situation and be around those guys and beat and have fun. And I’m gonna do whatever I can to help this team win.”
[lawrence-auto-related count=3]