If as expected JJ leaves what are the options at QB?
Of all teams Michigan is the best suited to play and win with an inexperienced QB. They did so last year with JJ.
If Orgi is as talented as they say do they roll with him? They only allowed him to throw once in a game, but they did play him in the biggest games. They could construct their offense along the lines of what Bama did with Milroe. With youth at WR and a talented OL and RBs corps this seems like the most plausible option.
Davis Warren is still here. Not sure what happens with him.
Jadyn Davis is a true freshman.I expect him to get snaps.
Michigan raised significant sums for Champions Circle. I suspect that much of that will go to keeping some key pieces like Rod Moore and Trente. That they didn’t go after a center this cycle tells me they are confident in what they have on the roster.
I do expect they will go after CBs and WRs in the portal and maybe a QB if an intriguing one(Milroe?) pops up. I think all of this is coaching invariant. .
January 14th, 2024 at 5:04 AM ^
You’re a real ray of sunshine.
January 14th, 2024 at 8:33 AM ^
If he doesn't break his collarbone against Iowa, Speight had Michigan in the playoff with a win over OSU in that toilet bowl they call a stadium. I'd take that from Denegal next year, all day long...
January 13th, 2024 at 11:55 PM ^
Saying Denegal looked good is a bit of stretch considering how little he played — and did so while being like 4th in the pecking order. The most promising player is always a backup QB!
January 13th, 2024 at 10:40 PM ^
Bring back Cade!!!
/ducks
January 14th, 2024 at 7:05 AM ^
This made me laugh. It would never happen, but if he hadn't been so negative on his way out the door this would actually be a great move for him and for us. Never burn bridges.
January 14th, 2024 at 10:15 AM ^
Bring back Dan Villari!
January 13th, 2024 at 10:42 PM ^
If Orji can throw at all then we can have not only the Ravens defense, but the Ravens offense.
I guess I just don't know if he can throw.
January 13th, 2024 at 11:17 PM ^
Wait a minute. Are you saying that Lamar Jackson, cannot throw the ball?
January 13th, 2024 at 11:23 PM ^
I believe I am saying the opposite of that.
January 13th, 2024 at 10:43 PM ^
Why can’t we teach Orji how to throw… ?
I mean, is it that much of a lost cause?
January 13th, 2024 at 10:52 PM ^
Well, considering none of the other QBs Harbaugh has had have been very good at throwing the ball, I’d say yeah, it’s a bit more difficult than you might think LOL.
I mean, JJ is undisputedly our best QB since like, Henne…that’s…really sad. Though I still contend that Devin Gardner could’ve been great if he had even a high school level O-Line :/
Ruddock was solid, but he more or less came in that way.
January 14th, 2024 at 12:51 AM ^
Gardner should have been a wr. Period.
January 14th, 2024 at 1:00 AM ^
I mean, Gardner is currently 4th on our all-time QB list. Just imagine what he could’ve done behind a competent O-Line…
January 14th, 2024 at 7:13 AM ^
In the 2010 and 2011 recruiting classes we (RichRod) signed one and then three OL recruits. The class with three included a guy from Florida, Tony Posada, who literally quit football during fall camp of his freshman year. Those two classes should have been the upper-class OL protecting Gardner in 2013 and 2014. Instead we had to hope and pray that the young OL Hoke recruited in 2012 and 2013 could be ready early, and it didn't go well. But I've always believed that if Gardner had played for Harbaugh with even a marginal OL he would still be in the NFL as a backup at the very least.
January 14th, 2024 at 7:47 AM ^
Agreed. He had lots of potential AND he was a leader and playmaker. The number of times he picked the whole team up and carried them on his back…
January 14th, 2024 at 8:51 AM ^
100 percent agree with this take re Devin. We'll always have that brilliant effort in a win over Notre Dame, and the valiant effort in the heartbreaking loss to OSU.
January 13th, 2024 at 10:50 PM ^
If M does look to portal, I believe Jayden DeLaura, McCloud from James Madison and Will Rogers are the remaining portal qbs of note left in this transfer window.
Unless we snake oil Finn (from Detroit) away from Baylor.
January 13th, 2024 at 11:22 PM ^
DeLaura has some legal issues going on so you can remove him.
January 13th, 2024 at 10:52 PM ^
What exactly is OP basing JJ leaving on? I know he keeps repeating it over n over but why?
January 13th, 2024 at 11:07 PM ^
The fact that he didn’t announce a return tonight, his words post-celebration, and now rumblings that optimism of a return have change.
January 13th, 2024 at 11:09 PM ^
On nothing more than he said she said he said lol
January 13th, 2024 at 11:20 PM ^
I believe it’s because JJ said he’d announce his decision tomorrow and everyone is interpreting that as he’s leaving because if he was staying he theoretically would’ve announced it tonight.
I think he’s probably gone but I could see it going either way.
January 14th, 2024 at 12:20 AM ^
Harbaugh also referenced “mvp” JJ at the end along with Blake, Zinter, Keegan, Mikey, Jenkins. Essentially shouting out the players that are moving on. Didn’t mention Graham or Johnson or Grant for example. Just an observation.
January 13th, 2024 at 11:04 PM ^
I think you gotta go portal. Warren and Denegal seem fine at best. Orji has literally not thrown a down field pass. Davis is a true freshman. Striking out in 2023 really left us in a bad spot. If we don’t go portal, I’d assume it’s Denegal which I would not feel good about
January 13th, 2024 at 11:21 PM ^
What about Tuttle? Is he still here or is he out of eligibility?
January 14th, 2024 at 12:00 AM ^
Every other elite program, when left with a QB room without any proven talent or 5-star freshman phenoms, immediately turns to the portal in this circumstance. That’s how it works now. That’s what Michigan will do. And thank god because the portal allows a program like M to turn a shitty situation into a great one.
January 14th, 2024 at 2:00 AM ^
Who is the portal option? Other elite programs already have their portal guy, so there are no options left from a proven FBS quarterback.
January 14th, 2024 at 8:39 AM ^
The portal opens again in the spring. If Michigan needs someone, they'll make a call and that someone will enter the portal for a 'chance' at becoming the QB in the same clubhouse that displays the National Championship Trophy.
We'll be okay...
January 14th, 2024 at 9:59 AM ^
Is it tampering if we call another team's player before he enters the portal?
January 14th, 2024 at 10:05 AM ^
Was it tampering when ND called Leonard before the portal opened?
January 14th, 2024 at 11:23 AM ^
Everyone tampers, everyone murders
January 14th, 2024 at 10:43 AM ^
Tampering is fair game now apparently. It’s the form of cheating that our rivals openly do and endorse so may as well join them
January 14th, 2024 at 12:09 PM ^
Aren't grad transfers allowed to enter the transfer portal at any time?
January 14th, 2024 at 11:20 AM ^
Understand how the portal works. There are two portal windows per offseason. We’ve had 1 of 2. We have a whole other portal season coming. Players will jump in once they see M has an opening.
January 13th, 2024 at 11:22 PM ^
We just won the national championship, so I'm good with whatever happens.
January 13th, 2024 at 11:46 PM ^
This. We are National Champs for all of 2024. And we will be fine at qb, whoever it is, even if it’s a true freshman.
January 13th, 2024 at 11:31 PM ^
Michigan showed that they can win the whole thing on the back of a great defense and strong running game. We can beat every team on our schedule with Orji at QB. Lean heavy into what we are good at, winning the los, and running downhill with power. He would rush for over 1000yds
January 13th, 2024 at 11:39 PM ^
Not passing and not being able to pass are 2 completely different things. If we are going project QB I'd rather go Jadyn Davis...he has an extremely high floor and he's been practicing with the team during bowl prep. See how he looks during spring.
I see Cam Ward was pulled back from draft with NIL package to go to Miami.
We need NIL too.
January 14th, 2024 at 10:11 AM ^
Exactly. Not being able to pass means you face extra body(s) in the box.
January 13th, 2024 at 11:57 PM ^
JJ was a game manager for Michigan. He wasn’t tasked with winning games by himself like the elite prospects of this class did. He was asked to do less than any other QB in his class which is why he probably wants to leave. At the NFL level he will be required to carry the team with his arm and he embraces that.p
If Orgi can manage the game and become even a JT Barret level passer I don’t see why UM can’t contend again next year. He certainly has the physical ability as a runner. Next few months are going to be critical for Alex.
January 14th, 2024 at 1:39 AM ^
I never got the sense that J.J. is a player that wants to carry the team with his arm. He is not like Taulia Tagovailoa who prides himself on wanting to win with his arm. J.J. is more of a leader by letting everyone on the offense work their talent just as he does to make sure they win as a team.
January 14th, 2024 at 11:26 AM ^
Taulia is in the portal (if eligible). He’d work for a season. But other QBs will enter the upcoming portal window.
January 14th, 2024 at 7:17 AM ^
Bro you say some off the wall stuff. If I didn't know better I'd say you're trolling either Harbaugh/JJ or both.
January 14th, 2024 at 10:58 AM ^
False. JJ making amazing throws was a necessary ingredient. Michigan does not win the Big Ten CC, beat OSU, etc. with out JJ's elite QB play this year.
January 13th, 2024 at 11:47 PM ^
McCarthy has 5 Star talent. No one on the roster comes anywhere near his ability. They have plenty of inexperienced QBs, but they don’t have anyone like McCarthy.
January 13th, 2024 at 11:59 PM ^
But he wasn’t asked to do much. Having 5 star talent and actually exhibiting it on a down by down basis are two separate things.
January 14th, 2024 at 12:55 AM ^
You're forgetting all the clutch plays he made when we needed them. Others won't make them and nobody is the wiser...
January 14th, 2024 at 1:07 AM ^
To be fair though, that’s JJ being a playmaker, not exactly him being a light up the field 5 star quarterback as far as it relates to the passing game.
Tebow was a top tier playmaker but I don’t think he’s exactly the go-to example for throwing the football.
Not saying JJ can’t make incredible throws, cause we’ve certainly seen him make some. But his performance on the field and overall impact was more of a playmaker I’d say than a dynamite passer.
January 14th, 2024 at 8:51 AM ^
He was never asked to be a dynamite passer. Even in the throw-fest against Purdue he wasn't asked to throw the ball like that. The yards came from the same standard pass routes and plays that Michigan always runs. You want Heisman worthy pass stats? You need a 'pass-first, pass-always when the chips are down' offense that always slings the ball to guys running sophisticated route trees. We saw that offense on display in the Texas - Washington game. Despite running at ~7ypc clip, Sarkesian couldn't help himself and just kept throwing the ball. Just kept letting Penix back on the field. The endgame was not indicative of the game itself - UW flubbed it badly.
Michigan's pass routes are barely more than high school level basic. This is the offense JJ chose to run, but he was (is) certainly capable of running something different. I mean, he almost went to OSU to run Day's pass happy NFL offense. Glad they chose to go with McCord...
January 14th, 2024 at 12:02 AM ^
How about Diego Pavia?