Could Michigan Football use a Two-QB system in 2024?
For those paying attention this offseason, the name at the top of the list for Michigan's quarterback battle has been Alex Orji. His name is most often mentioned by coaches and players, intel from spring camp, and more has created an assumption the staff at Michigan wants Alex Orji to win the job.
If there was any doubt about this dynamic, quarterback coach and offensive coordinator, Kirk Campbell made it fairly clear in a recent interview with ESPN.
"There's multiple power 4 starters on our roster," Campell said. "Which one's the best, I need to find that out. Those guys make it harder for me because we've got really good players. Alex has just got to take it."
This has been shaped as an open competition from the start, but Campbell sets the expectation at the end there.
A 5 QB battle was expected in the spring, but 7th year and last season's backup QB Jack Tuttle was not a participant as he rehabbed from an injury he suffered late last season. By the end of spring, Orji and Davis Warren has been the top two performers and got the most run in the annual Maize vs Blue Spring Game. With Tuttle now healthy and taking part in summer drills, he is battling Warren for that backup job, and likely more.
The Michigan staff expects this offense to be explosive with the playmakers they have, and there's no doubt Orji's athletic ability brings another explosive element. But, can he complete the passes necessary, control the ball, and avoid turnovers? That consistency under JJ McCarthy was essential to Michigan's success.
In comments to ESPN, Orji explains he knows that is what he must do to not only win the job, but be successful.
"Precision and accuracy within ball placement," Orji told ESPN. "Being able to place it where I want to and not quite trying to aim it and knowing that there's different levels of accuracy within every ball."
Tuttle brings more experience, but not much at a starter level. Playing behind QBs like Michael Penix and McCarthy, and losing time to injury. It was in mop up duty last season, but Tuttle completed 88% of passes for Michigan. So far this summer, Tuttle has looked good passing the ball and while he may not bring the explosiveness of Orji, he may bring the consistency needed.
Which presents an interesting scenario. This staff believes in Alex Orji. They believe he is simply too good to be kept off the field. They trust him. We know this because they were willing to take McCarthy off the field in their biggest games against Ohio State, Iowa, Alabama, and Washington. If the staff ultimately decides Tuttle as the starter gives them a safer option, Alex Orji won't spend games on the sidelines. He will get plays, designed packages, the question would be how much?
Is Tuttle 2021 Cade McNamara in this scenario? Orji, a different version of freshman McCarthy? Later in the season McCarthy was getting more reps, but that was about bring a talented future star along in his development. Playing Orji would be about utilizing a set of skills to give Michigan a better chance to win. Rotation is something Michigan has done often at multiple positions, but it's not common at quarterback.
What would the ratio of the split be? 80/20 for Tuttle? 60/40? At that point, does it just make sense to let Orji start even if that comes with perceived risk of inconsistency?
None of these questions will matter if Orji just "takes it" as Campbell as suggested. But if he can't, Michigan's biggest question mark will enter the season, and linger. With a matchup against a likely top 5 opponent in Texas coming in week 2 Michigan won't have a lot of time to figure out what they want their identity to be.
Once again, the Wolverines will have an elite defense, a power rushing attack, and arguably the best tight end in college football. If they get the QB situation right, there's no reason the 3-time Big Ten Champions can't compete again. But does any one know what getting it right looks like? We'll find out in the fall.
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