This spring, the Michigan Wolverines are on the hunt for their next QB1, aiming to maintain their championship-winning standard in the maize and blue.
Among the contenders, two players have garnered the most attention: Alex Orji and Jayden Denegal. While Orji’s potential has been discussed previously, it’s now Denegal’s turn to take the spotlight, impressing his new offensive coordinator early in the spring.
Hailing from Apple Valley, California, Denegal, a redshirt sophomore, has always been recognized as more of a pocket passer compared to Orji, the dual-threat option. His impressive high school stats, including over 4,600 passing yards and 69 touchdowns, earned him a three-star ranking by 247Sports as the 19th quarterback in his class.
After redshirting his first season, Denegal made a brief appearance in the 2022 win over UConn, followed by more action in 2023. However, his playing time was limited, with Coach Jim Harbaugh expressing dissatisfaction with the handling of Denegal’s opportunities.
Denegal’s breakthrough moment came later in the season against Nebraska, where he led the Wolverines on a scoring drive, showcasing his potential with a touchdown pass to Peyton O’Leary. Despite limited opportunities, Denegal finished the season with promising stats, showing accuracy and mobility.
While Orji stands out for his athleticism, Denegal has caught the attention of Michigan’s new offensive coordinator, Kirk Campbell, who praised his significant improvement and development over the past year. Standing at 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, Denegal possesses the ideal size for the quarterback position, coupled with the ability to add a running dimension to the offense.
Although Orji may have the edge in running ability, Denegal appears to be the more accurate passer, according to comments from Sherrone Moore. However, Denegal needs to refine his footwork and decision-making, especially under pressure from top college football defenses.
As spring practices progress, the quarterback battle will intensify, with more insights expected during the spring game on April 20.
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