Current:Home > MyMichigan coach Sherrone Moore in no rush to name starting quarterback -Prime Money Path
Michigan coach Sherrone Moore in no rush to name starting quarterback
View
Date:2025-04-14 12:28:51
INDIANAPOLIS − Just because the Michigan has become familiar with Indianapolis doesn't mean it's become bored with it.
On the contrary, the hope for the Wolverines 135 days from Thursday − when first-year coach Sherrone Moore, running back Donovan Edwards, fullback Max Bredeson and safety Makari Paige held court at Big Ten Media Days − is that they'll be back on the same field to compete for a fourth consecutive Big Ten championship.
"For the University of Michigan, our football program, our players, our coaches, our staff, what an unbelievable job our Team 144 did," Moore began Thursday. "But we're ready for Team 145 to take the reigns. We're excited to be here at Lucas Oil Stadium, a place we look forward to try to strive to end the regular season here.
"Humbly, been blessed to be able to be here the past couple of years, look forward to working our process to continue to do the same."
Soon after his opening remarks, Moore was peppered with questions about what's different this time around for the Wolverines. After all, six coaches left while five others have been promoted; not to mention a record 18 players from one program were invited to the combine, which ended with Michigan setting a program record with 13 players selected in the NFL draft.
While there is admittedly quite a bit that's changed for the reigning national champions, Moore was more intently focused on what's been able to remain in place.
"Making sure our culture, that our alignment stays the same," Moore said of his primary focus since he shifted from offensive line coach and offensive coordinator to the head job in January. "Our players have done an outstanding job of keeping the culture, keeping the togetherness, the brotherhood, so really it's a testament to them."
Even with three banners all with block M's on them representing Michigan's recent run of dominance, prognosticators don't seem to believe the run will continue. The Wolverines were picked to finish fourth in the Big Ten in a preseason media poll behind rival Ohio State, newcomer Oregon and longtime nemesis Penn State.
There are some who could see it as a bit insulting; the Wolverines haven't lost to the Buckeyes since 2019 or to Penn State since 2020, however those on hand representing the Maize and Blue kept their reactions even-keel.
"That's fine," Edwards said. "You know, people always put stuff to paper, but ultimately it's nothing we haven't been through at all at Michigan. Ultimately, we're going to do whatever it takes to win every single game this year."
When will Michigan name its starting quarterback?
Though there are a number of unknowns on the roster, there is a glaring question that stands out above the rest. Who will be the starting quarterback when Michigan opens the season against Fresno State under the lights on Aug. 31?
The three leading candidates heading into fall camp are junior Alex Orji, graduate student Jack Tuttle and senior Davis Warren.
"They all have the attributes you need to be a successful starting quarterback at the University of Michigan," Moore said. "The No. 1 thing we’re looking for out of any guy that’s our quarterback is they’re a playmaker; they make plays, they’ll make the right decision, they’ll take care of the football and they want to win."
Each player brings something unique to the table. The most tantalizing option seems to be Orji, the 6-foot-3, 235-pound dual threat athlete. He's run the ball 21 times in his career for 123 yards and three touchdowns, however, he's only been entrusted with throwing one pass (a five-yard completion).
Then there's Tuttle, who was the No. 2 last year prior to injury. He's thrown 199 career passes at both Indiana and Michigan, which included a nice campaign in spot duty last year, when he completed 15 of 17 passes for 130 yards and a score and ran four times for another 35 yards.
As for Warren, he didn't complete a pass last year (0 for 5), but threw the most consistent ball of the spring game and showed nice precision on his deep passes. All three will get a chance to run with the starters at some point in the fall, as they did in the spring, but don't expect Moore to make a decision before the season starts just because it's here.
After all, his predecessor (Jim Harbaugh) took a quarterback competition into the season in 2022, and that worked out just fine when J.J. McCarthy ultimately beat out Cade McNamara.
"The ideal timeline is when we feel like we’ve got the guy who will help us win," Moore said. "There’s not a date, not a time. We will have a feel as a staff ... Kirk Campbell is a phenomenal coach … he will make a great decision and we will be there to make it together."
Game recognize game
The Wolverines became just the fourth team to go 15-0 in a single season in college football history, joining an illustrious list that consists of Georgia, Alabama and Clemson.
Michigan is the king of the sport until proven otherwise and Thursday, Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck made sure he gave the Wolverines their flowers. Fleck has spent the past seven years in Minneapolis, doing all he can to turn the Gophers into a consistent winner.
He and athletic director Mark Coyle combine to make up the longest tenured duo at the two positions in the conference, something Fleck said he takes great pride in. During his tenure, the landscape of college football has changed greatly, but Fleck has always tried to stay consistent.
"We're a transformational program, academically, athletically, spiritually, socially, spiritually, the whole life program. Our world has changed in this transactional world, with NIL, with the portal, with salary caps," Fleck said. "We believe in the transactional piece as a piece that allows our student-athletes to benefit, but you still get this transformational life program."
It's the balance that every major college program is trying to find and Fleck said he believes it's exactly what happened last year in Ann Arbor. Fleck said last year's Michigan squad is evidence that programs don't have to buy their way to a winning team; rather it's about find the right pieces which fit them.
"I think Michigan proved this last year − team, team team," Fleck said. "If you build the best team, you've got a chance to win. It's one thing to have the transaction, but you have to transform them."
veryGood! (887)
Related
- SFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters
- Are there any perfect brackets left in March Madness? Very few remain after Auburn loss
- Jack Gohlke joins ESPN's Pat McAfee after Oakland's historic March Madness win vs. Kentucky
- How Olivia Culpo Is Switching Up Her Wellness Routine Ahead of Christian McCaffrey Wedding
- Trump invites nearly all federal workers to quit now, get paid through September
- George Santos says he’ll ditch GOP, run as independent, in bid to return to Congress after expulsion
- The Smart Reusable Notebook That Shoppers Call Magic is Just $19 During Amazon's Big Spring Sale
- Jackpots: A look at the top 10 Mega Millions, Powerball winners of all time
- Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
- Former Timberwolves employee arrested, accused of stealing hard drive with critical info
Ranking
- This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
- Interim leader of Alcorn State is named school’s new president
- Teen pleads guilty in murder case that Minnesota’s attorney general took away from local prosecutor
- Republican lawmaker says Kentucky’s newly passed shield bill protects IVF services
- Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
- Selena Gomez & David Henrie Have Magical Reunion in First Look at Wizards of Waverly Place Sequel
- These Teeth Whitening Deals from Amazon's Spring Sale Will Make You Smile Nonstop
- The Daily Money: Why scammers are faking obituaries
Recommendation
Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
Kristin Cavallari’s Boyfriend Mark Estes Responds to Criticism Over Their 13-Year Age Gap
Maryland US Rep. David Trone apologizes for using racial slur at hearing. He says it was inadvertent
George Santos says he’ll ditch GOP, run as independent, in bid to return to Congress after expulsion
A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
The market for hippo body parts is bigger than you think. Animal groups suing to halt trade
Target doubles bonuses for salaried employees after profits jump in 2023
House passes $1.2 trillion spending package hours before shutdown deadline, sending it to Senate