2024 Spring Game Instant Takes
Team Maize defeated Team Blue by a score of 17-7 at today's 2024 edition of the Michigan Football spring game. A game that was preceded by the championship ring ceremony and had numerous departed heroes strolling the sideline, the focus on the field was instead on a number of young players trying to make a name for themselves. As in past years, I'm not going to give a play-by-play recap for an exhibition game, but instead will give you a batch of instant reaction takes on what we witnessed:
Offense
Alex Orji's potential... and areas for improvement. Orji quarterbacked the first drive for Team Blue, as well as the last, with intermittent snaps in between. In that time we saw some good and some bad from Orji. He varied his touch on throws that showed a decent understanding of quarterbacking, but was mostly throwing checkdown passes. The final drive in particular saw the defense back off (Team Maize had a 10 point lead), ceding the underneath routes and Orji was efficient in connecting on those. But that's what you'd expect any QB at this level to be able to do, so I'm not putting much stock in that.
However, there were more tantalizing moments. Orji delivered a pass to Max Bredeson with good zip and then sensed pressure before scrambling for a touchdown on the first drive. He also seemed to have another touchdown scramble on the last drive, but it was overturned on a questionable "sack" (the referees blew the play dead in rather dubious fashion). The athleticism and the ability to hit the easy stuff was on display but there were concerning moments. He put a ball behind Tyler Morris on the first drive and forced a laser into double coverage looking for Zack Marshall on the last drive. Orji also showed good pocket presence on a different snap a couple drives earlier, dancing in the pocket and eventually finding an open receiver on 3rd & 5... but he way overthrew his target. I'm not sure if the accuracy and reads are completely where they need to be, but Orji wasn't a total wreck and gave us enough reasons to believe he could plausibly be the QB in 2024. It didn't answer all the questions at the QB position, but there was enough on display to believe Orji could be a successful QB at some point in the future (whether that is in '24 or '25).
Takes on the other QBs. Davis Warren was the starting QB for Team Maize and just like prior seasons, Warren looked pretty damn good. His arm talent is 100% there, which was most on display on a bomb to Kendrick Bell for a TD:
🔔🔔🔔
📺 @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/G1jgyJAwmO— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) April 20, 2024
There were several other strikes that Warren uncorked and he may well have been the most impressive QB today. However, it does feel a little difficult to take all of it seriously because Warren has looked terrific in spring games prior too, which hasn't necessarily translated to regulation games.
Jayden Denegal was a bit of a disappointment in this one I felt. His drives for Team Maize had some moments, but ultimately left a lot to be desired. Yes he did hit a bomb to Fred Moore, but he also threw a wretched interception to DJ Waller (which was punched out and recovered as a fumble), threw a ball that was batted at the line, fumbled a snap that killed the two minute drill in the second quarter, and had a couple other iffy looking throws on the fourth drive. Based on the feel of this game, it would appear that Orji and Warren are the main two in-house contenders for the starting QB this fall.
Jadyn Davis didn't play a ton, as expected. He threw a nice ball down the sideline for Peyton O'Leary that was PBU'd which showed off his arm talent, but he did appear to miss a wide open receiver on that very play. That was Davis' most notable moment during a short afternoon and based on today I would expect him to redshirt this fall (nothin' wrong with that).
[AFTER THE JUMP: more takes]
[Patrick Barron]
Donovan Edwards looking good! I thought one of the best sights in this spring game was Donovan Edwards' sharp effort. He played early on in this game and from an eye test standpoint looked as good as he did at any point last season. Edwards was making good cuts, breaking tackles, showing his speed. After a frustrating junior season (until the National Championship Game), it looks like Edwards is on the right track here in spring and that's nice to see.
Receiver/TE highlights. Kendrick Bell had the TD that I already clipped a few points above, amid several catches in this game. Fred Moore was the most impactful receiver, hauling in a long catch-and-run TD from Davis Warren that showed off his speed and open field ability:
.@FredrickMoore6_ turned on the jets! 💨
📺 @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/pJDQT73riu— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) April 20, 2024
Tyler Morris and Semaj Morgan both played some early on, mostly receiving short stuff. Perennial spring game hero Peyton O'Leary had some moments as well, but we've come to expect that. The tight ends did indeed show some Marlin Klein, but I was most intrigued to see a lot of Zack Marshall (he had a bunch of targets) and a little of Deakon Tonielli and Hogan Hansen. It was a bit tough to asses how far along the young TEs are on first watch but they were not short on playing time today. Marshall getting a lot of action today perhaps is a good indicator for his spot on the depth chart.
Don't ask me for OL takes. As always with the spring game, the OL is very hard to evaluate in real time. That'll be a job for Brian and Seth this week when they dig through the tape.
[Patrick Barron]
Defense
Both CB2 candidates had moments. One of the main areas of focus coming into this spring game was the CB2 battle between Jyaire Hill and DJ Waller. I thought both looked pretty solid, with Waller having the aforementioned interception, not to mention a couple tackles in space on screens and helping out in the run game (he was credited with a 4th & 2 stop). Hill had a PBU and was also involved in the run defense. Both guys showed up in my notes a few times and mostly for good things. That's all a good sign and a notable departure from last season's spring game, when the hyped CB2 option (Amorion Walker) was given extensive problems by a walk-on receiver.
TJ Guy sack! Mentioned in my spring game preview, EDGE TJ Guy has been a major talking point in the spring buzz, so it was nice to see him get a sack in this game. I am 90% sure it came against true freshman tackle Blake Frazier, so probably not the most meaningful indicator, but that's what a player in line for playing time needs to be doing against an inexperienced tackle. I also had him down for a run stuff on 3rd & 4, so Guy was active in both phases of the game. While we're dealing with a sack bullet point, we should note that Kechaun Bennett was also credited for a sack. We've seldom heard about Bennett in his time at Michigan, so it's always nice to see something from him.
An assortment of young guys who had their names called. Zeke Berry had some solid moments in the run game that I put in my notes and was credited for the "sack" on the play where Denegal fumbled the snap. Didn't see a ton from him in coverage live, but again there's a lot going on during each individual play. Ja'Den McBurrows had a great tackle and there was a pressure for Team Blue that I credited to a duo of LB Jimmy Rolder and EDGE/OLB Breeon Ishmail. That play may have been the first time that Ishmail's name has shown up in any practice notes, regulation or spring game action since the Ohioan joined the Wolverines in the 2023 recruiting class. Rolder also had a pressure that forced a sack one play later, which drew a penalty on tackle Evan Link.
Ike Iwunnah batted a pass from Denegal at the line that appeared to be intercepted by EDGE Aymeric Koumba, but upon further review the ball bounced off the turf. True freshman EDGE Dominic Nichols popped on a 3rd down run stuff and also showed up in my notes on another play later on in the game. Another true freshman, LB Cole Sullivan, helped Jyaire Hill make a stop on 4th & 1 on the penultimate Team Blue drive to help secure the win for Team Maize. I'm not sure what, if anything, any of these plays mean, but it never hurts to get positively credited for a play in the spring game.
Special Teams
Adam Samaha missed a field goal. Not much to report on here, but Adam Samaha went 1/2 on his field goal attempts. He made a 31 yarder (tucked it inside the upright) but missed a 30 yarder. Not ideal. Panic if you want.
I prefer Warren to Orji, and it's not particularly close right now.
Orji's shown nothing other than being a subpackage QB. Keep him in that role this year, let him expand his role with some simple passes and easy reads and grow in confidence... but putting his name in pen as the starting QB is likely a recipe for disaster.
Considering the offense will probably be built around the run game and Orji's threat as a runner, I think it's hard to gauge his impact in a practice/game that they clearly weren't going to call any designed QB runs/reads.
I was actually encouraged by Orji's passing. My fear was Orji coming out and looking like Denegal looked. He didn't though. He missed some layups (maybe nerves early, especially the flip to Bredeson to start), but he ended up really zipping some throws too.
Not sure I agree that because offense is built around run game that this favors having a quarterback that is a runner....would make life simpler for the defense.
If Warren was a plus QB or we had a plus OL, I would agree. The odds are we won't have an OL like we did in '21, '22, or '23. There's just too much turnover to expect that, and we didn't bring in the same caliber of transfers that we did in the past two years to plug holes. That makes it hard to envision a Cade type season with Warren -- he just won't have the OL and WR talent to make it possible.
With Orji, it helps the OL and the backs. It basically takes at least one defender out of the play bc they have to account for him, whether it's a LB, S, or just the backside edge staying wide. That gives Donovan and the backs more lanes. Defenses will certainly stuff the box, but that's when Orji will have to hit the quick throws opened up by the run threat, the motions, the shifts, and so on. Those are the throws that play to our strength, which is Loveland/Bredeson/Klein. He did that on the opening drive today and kept converting first downs. I thought it was promising. It really reminded me of the game plan against Alabama that just put the LBs in hell -- and he was doing it today without QB runs being on. Most importantly, no turnovers or throws to a defenders chest (like Denegal was doing).
You're reading way too much into it. To me it's simple..Warren looked like the better QB and it wasn't even close. I don't care about what a QB can do running if he can't complete a pass beyond 10 yards (8 man fronts, safeties both within 8 yards of los, will kill both our run game + Orgi's legs wont matter unless he can stretch the D.)
Michigan oline will be better if they have balance. + they have Moore so Oline should always be their foundation.
I mean Warren was doing this while being blitzed with free rushers too. He was impressive. I'm not saying it's over but we definitely have a lot more info. I think Warren confidence will be super high now too which is/was my concern with him as has lost it in the past.
Also, Warren to the naked eye has was more arm talent than Cade. Not that that's everything it's not but he can do things that Cade just couldn't.
Yes…Orji might appear to work for a few games but he seems positioned to lose multiple games that will fall on his shoulders
April 20th, 2024 at 10:28 PM ^
I didn’t watch the game. But can Orji throw as well as JT Barrett? Because that can lead to a pretty darn good offense in the right hands. Pretty tough to stop Orji on 3rd and 2.
JT Barrett consistently had top level receivers. Our receivers are not of the same caliber. Also, not sure that Orji is close to the level of JT.
Barrett was a 65% passer at 9 YPA as a freshman.
34TD to 10 INT... With 2,800 yards passing and 938 yards rushing.
Having a good or respectable passing game can provide a significant boost for a running game. Warren would lead my depth chart if it was based on what we watched today. The deep ball was great. I was especially encouraged to see him move from pressure, keep his eyes up and find Fred Moore. Those plays win games.
Props to Moore for making a veteran play and slipping into the seem.
One dimensional offenses equal struggles and frustration and are much easier for a defense to game plan. Orji had some intermediate passes today that he missed badly that should not be difficult to make. No doubt his legs are a huge weapon so if the passing can improve it would be a great scenario.
We will see where fall ball takes them and it will be interesting to see Tuttle in the mix. Tuttle is also a plus runner.
- I don't think planning the entire offense around Orji's legs is a good idea. Orji may be big, strong and fast, he's not exactly elusive and he's going to take a lot of hits. If he gets banged up or dinged to the point his already limited passing is affected, then no one else in the QB room can step into Orji's role and the entire offense needs to change. Whereas Warren/Tuttle/Davis/transfer QB, the offense remains the same.
- Orji had some nice ball placement on a few throws and was generally accurate (13/18) short of the sticks, but it's the downfield accuracy (greater than 10 yards) that I can't hand-wave away concerns. Every pass is on a line, he's erratic with his footwork and the accuracy plummets... and for as much as we talk about the run game, if defenses know Orji struggles to throw downfield and Michigan only gives him simple reads on drags and leaks within 10 yards, that style of offense is not going to keep the safeties from firing downhill and stuffing the run, as Michigan will be incapable of attacking behind them.
I don't think it'll be built around him running, but built around the threat of him running. If they don't respect it, we'll take it (unlike with JJ). And if they do respect it, then that just a little more room for Donovan to slip through, or a couple yards of space to flip it to Loveland/Klein/Bredeson if LBs are zeroed in on Orji/Don. And in the process, maybe you get a couple unscripted plays like the scrambles he had today.
I don't think the running game automatically improves by freezing contain players who are waiting to see if it's a handoff or a keep, if that means both safeties are only 10 yards off the LOS and you're running into 10-man boxes.
But you have better numbers at the point of attack . Michigan is going to want to run the ball with Warren or Orji at QB. Teams will stack the box against either one. Teams stacked boxes with JJ in. You can have (maybe) average non-run threat QB throwing to (hopefully) average WRs to beat that, or you can do what I'm guessing Sherrone will do -- use the run-threat QB and a bunch of shifts and motions to find his best opportunities to block em up. One LB or S messes up, and it's a foot race for Donovan. Take care of the ball and play defense.
Ultimately, there's a difference between that offense being Plan A and Plan B. I agree that Orji adds a running element and requires teams to be disciplined in their run fits and I want to keep that in the offense... but running that also makes Michigan far more predictable and easier to gameplan for.
That's why I think it should be a subpackage and not the primary offense. If the Orji-ffense is working, you can spam the subpackage and make the defense stop it. But if it's off or Orji is being inaccurate, you can table it for the day and run a more balanced offense at your disposal.
The difference between JJ under center being a run threat and Orji being a run threat is that defenses actually had to be concerned that JJ would pass downfield. And now our WR room is thin. My concern is they'll stack the box and Orji won't be enough of a downfield threat to back the D up or be consistent enough to make them pay without the interceptions. I really like Orji and want to see him succeed but if he's not a real dual threat then the offense will likely struggle at times.
But defenses didn't have to worry about JJ running. How many UFRs did we go through with Brian pointing out the free yards left on the field by not having JJ-runs turned on? Also, it's not like Orji can't throw at all. I thought the best pass of the day (in terms of things that are repeatable within the framework of the offense) was Orji's absolute dot to O'Leary on an out-breaking route.
Look at ‘23 game threads…people wer complaining that were doing precisely what you describe all last year…until we won the national championship doing it.
I agree, but doing something similar helped get Alabama (yes, with a miracle helping them) into the CFP at 12-1 including a win over Georgia. Not saying that Orji can lead us to 12-1, but 11-2 with our defense is doable, though the FG kicking today did make me panic.
I don’t see why people are so convinced that this is the plan on offense. We’ve seen a great many recent Michigan offenses be run heavy w/o much reliance on the threat of QB runs. At this point, Warren seems to be the best option for replicating last year’s offense, which was about as run heavy as a true contender can possibly be.
I don't think Orji is going to run the ball as many times as Denard did or anything like that. But he's going to run it enough to make the defense respect it, and that will help the OL, run lanes, and play action game immensely.
The difference between last year's plan and this year's plan, is that our 6th best OL last year might've been our best OL this year. Even with JJ and a good OL, we got put behind the chains often. JJ was by far the best QB in the country in converting those 3rd and long situations. In my opinion, you don't want to use that same game plan with a completely rebuilt OL, no Corum, and Davis Warren at QB.
I really wonder if Michigan ever crossed McCord’s mind or whether Michigan contacted him. I think he’s better than any of the current QBs and his presence would’ve added a great angle to this year’s game. But I imagine he’d rather throw the ball more often.
McCord would have been the best QB on OSUs roster this year. He would have improved as a 2nd year starter.
Day fucked that up badly. He did not handle the firestorm of losing to Michigan for the 3rd straight year and seemed to cast some unfair blame on McCord in the aftermath.
Very un Harbaugh like.
That’s true too.
Yes. Day happily threw that kid under the bus and then brought in a QB that statistically wasn't any better playing against arguably worse defenses.
Warren looks good every spring and then he gets in for mop up duty against opposing defenses and is less than impressive. The upside of Orji far outweighs Warren and when Orji was leading the offense from the first snap of a series in the spring game they went right down the field 2 of 3 times. He also completed over 65% of his throws, what more are you looking for?
What more am I looking for? How about a completed pass that goes 10 yards downfield.
Also, Warren was good in mop-up duty in 2022 and then injured last season, so it's possible he simply wasn't right last fall and what we saw prior is the real Davis Warren.
We won the Big 10 with Cade at QB and a good defense. All we need is a Cade-level QB with this defense. Find the guy who best protects the ball and we will win many games. That should be our plan. It's that simple.
Find the guy who best protects the ball
Exactly! McCarthy is a complete QB, throws, runs, can do it all. And what was he asked to do 90% of the time? Take care of the football. Yes, some big third/fourth downs we needed him to take a shot and he succeeded, but the most important thing is to take care of the football and give the run game and defense a chance to win the game without QB heroics. Then, if you need it because the opponent os playing excellent, you tell the QB to make something happen.
Orji is not going to be that guy for us. It's either Davis or potentially Tuttle depending how he recovers from injury.
April 20th, 2024 at 10:27 PM ^
Warren looks good every spring and then he gets in for mop up duty against opposing defenses and is less than impressive.
Roll the tape of Orji's impressive mop up duty. You can't ding Warren for not have good mop up duty stats when Orji is 1 for 9 for 5 yards.
I'm not discounting the importance of the threat that an elite runner at QB presents. But to be successful in the modern big ten and the playoffs, you need to have a credible down field passing attack. The passing is obligatory, the running is a nice add on. Orji could be the guy to do both if he continues to improve his accuracy and defense reads, but Michigan isn't going to get to double digit wins this season if the starting QB can't back off safeties with a passing threat.
Except Orji doesn't have the reps, profile, or experience where you'd not run any of that just to "save it." If his impact on the game was going to be as a run first QB, they'd be repping that in the spring.
Prefer warren if you like but know that they could keep everyone back knowing Orji won't run the ball, and they did. They're not gonna run him in this game. In real games they'll have to stack the box and then you can judge, and it should be very different. I was enthused by Orjis play today, knowing this going in.
JJ was clutch and we almost certainly won’t have that type of QB play this year. That said, UM has built their teams around the lines the past few years and proven that what was old is new again…defense, physicality, ground game wins games.
Would not at all be surprised to see a Tebow-Leak at Florida type scenario this year for UM. Orji is like an extra fullback with a threat to pass, but there are times when a more traditional passing game is needed.
Given our defense and running backs, TE’s and roster talent, no reason we can’t roll with the 2 qb thing if necessary.
You guys can keep arguing, I'll just go check the portal cause I don't think either should be the starter 🤷
I just don't think there's much out there. OSU was giving out blank checks and ended up with a guy who might not even beat out Devin Brown. Notre Dame fans are jacked up over a guy who completed 57.6% last year with 3 TDs and 3 INTs in 7 games.
Yes, we should definitely roll with 2 QBs -- Orji and one of the more passing oriented QBs. Don't hit the portal as we proved this past year that football is a team game.The team is being built this spring. Also, Peyton O'Leary is ready to make a big step up.
April 21st, 2024 at 12:24 AM ^
My personal belief is that JJ was clutch with his arm, but Orji will be clutch with his legs. Warren will be neither. If you want 8-4 Warren is your guy, if you are shooting for something bigger it's Orji.
Shouldn't Orji have been more accurate in that case because he knew he wasn't going to get hit today? It's not as if he was missing throws because coverage was too tight or no one was open; he was simply wildly inaccurate on anything downfield.
It sounds like you're assuming that when reps go live, Orji's going to become more accurate... and that's a bold statement.
Orji cannot reliably make wide open throws. He's not the guy to carry the QB role in most games. There will be two or three games against teams with miserable defensive lines that Orji will be able to abuse, but most games Davis will be better.
I remain interested to see if/when they get Tuttle what he can do. He's a middling P5 QB but that's a better track record than anyone else on the roster.
I do agree that Orji still seems limited. I know the refrain is you can just run the read option with him but it's not 2008 anymore; good teams have figured out how to defend that if your QB can't throw the ball and until proven otherwise Orji hasn't shown he can make guys pay with his arm.
April 20th, 2024 at 11:40 PM ^
I've been saying all spring.
2021.
Tuttle and Warren battle it out for the McNamara role.
Orji gets the freshman JJ McCarthy role.
Let's not make this more difficult than it needs to be. Orji is too dynamic to keep off the field and you can trust him with limited throws. But Let Tuttle and Warren battle it out for the role Cade played in 2021.
Orji will come along throughout the season and before you know it...he'll be streaking down the sideline, throwing blocks for Donovan Edwards in the B1G Championship game.
I don't see anyone penciling him in. I think everyone is just hoping he ends up being the guy. Given the team makeup - Great defense and a lack of WR depth - he seemingly is the two dimensional threat that could make the offense dynamic.
Thank you. I do kind of want to panic about the kicking.
But overall an encouraging day. And any day you can get some real football, it's a good one.
Much better football overall than that other team's nationally televised game. So that feels great, too.
Their's was just a 7 on 7 drill prancing around in the sunshine. Michigan's was an actual game with real hitting.
The two programs were indeed true to who they really are.
But, did Day blow his whistle and dance around like a penguin?
That's what really matters.
Davis Warren at this point give Michigan the best chance to win. Supplement that with some Orji. At this point I do not think we will find much in the portal. This team can win with defense and running the ball. Similiar to 1997
There are some veterans in the portal who might be able to give us a more reliable (low mistake) option than anyone else on the roster. No stars, but there are options.
I just hate to waste this defensive talent. When will we have another defense like this? Moore owes it to the defense to see what qb options are out there.
Agree with that as far as we can see now. But I wouldn't rule out Tuttle if he recovers fully.
I don't know how anyone can come to this conclusion having watched Davis Warren during the regular season in mop up duty. He stood in the pocket because it was touch football for him today. When teams are hitting he has never shown anything in mop up duty to justify this analysis.
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