After nearly collapsing against Minnesota, should Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore make another quarterback change?
The transition from Jim Harbaugh to Sherrone Moore was always expected to present challenges for Michigan football, but the quarterback situation has amplified those difficulties. While Moore’s first season remains promising overall, the ongoing issues at the quarterback position have added pressure.
Alex Orji, Michigan’s junior quarterback, initially showed promise with his run-first approach, especially after a gritty win over USC. However, his performance in the near-collapse against Minnesota has raised questions. Orji went 10-for-18, throwing for 86 yards, one touchdown, and a costly interception that ignited a 21-3 run by the Gophers. With two weeks of game tape on Orji as the starter, many, including Austin Meek of *The Athletic*, believe Moore might need to reconsider his quarterback options.
“When Michigan switched from Davis Warren to Orji, Moore made it clear that he didn’t want to keep flip-flopping quarterbacks for the rest of the season,” Meek wrote. “The hope was that Orji would take the job and run with it. Michigan is 2-0 since the switch, but the offense has struggled outside of [running back Kalel] Mullings, who had another productive game with 111 yards on 24 carries.”
Meek suggests it’s time for Michigan to explore bringing in another quarterback. Jack Tuttle, a graduate senior who wasn’t on the injury report this week, could provide a viable alternative. If Tuttle is healthy, rotating him with Orji might offer Michigan a way to sustain drives when the running game falters.
**Michigan’s Ongoing Search for a Solid Quarterback**
Much like Harbaugh’s early struggles to find a reliable quarterback, Moore now faces a similar challenge in his debut season. Harbaugh eventually struck gold with J.J. McCarthy, who became a staple of Michigan’s success, leading the Wolverines to a national championship last season with a near-perfect 27-1 record over two years. McCarthy’s departure to the NFL, where he was a first-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings, has left Michigan scrambling to fill his shoes, just as Moore steps into the head coach role following Harbaugh’s exit for the Los Angeles Chargers.
The quarterback search has yielded mixed results so far in 2024. Davis Warren started the season under center but was quickly replaced after throwing six interceptions in Michigan’s first three games. Orji took over but has shown significant limitations as a passer. Over two starts, he has completed just 17 of 30 passes for 118 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. His effectiveness running the ball has been valuable, but his passing ability remains a concern.
Finding a quarterback as reliable as McCarthy seems unlikely this season or even next. Still, if Michigan’s defense and running game hold steady, the Wolverines could remain in the hunt for a College Football Playoff spot. The upcoming games will test Moore’s decision-making and whether he can strike the right balance between his quarterbacks and the rest of the team.
