The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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22 THE WOLVERINE ❱ MAY 2024 BY CHRIS BALAS M ichigan football will have a much different look in 2024, with 2023 truly the "last dance" for many standout performers who led the Wolverines to the national cham- pionship. That includes head coach Jim Harbaugh, now with the Los Angeles Chargers, and much of his staff. Head coach Sherrone Moore's first Michigan team will feature many new starters on both sides of the ball, but especially the offense. Here are the top three storylines for the April 20 spring game, a couple players to watch and the newcomer we're most excited about. TOP THREE SPRING GAME STORYLINES 3. Is the starting quarterback on the current roster? Michigan went to the transfer portal a few times during Harbaugh's tenure, with really good success. Jake Rudock (Iowa) and Shea Patterson (Ole Miss) both had 3,000-yard passing seasons, though neither could help bring home a title. Offensive coordinator Kirk Camp- bell insisted he believes the Wolverines could find their starter among those already here — grad Jack Tuttle, junior Alex Orji, senior Davis Warren, junior Jayden Denegal and freshman Jadyn Da- vis — but there are no guarantees. Re- views were mixed in the first few weeks of spring ball, and while some of that was on a revamped offensive line, there was plenty of talk the quarterbacks needed to cut down on the mistakes, too. Tuttle missed the early part of spring with an injury, leaving the reps to the others. Many believe Orji has the best shot due to his physicality, natural ath- leticism, and running ability, though teammates say he can wing it, too. "Alex Orji, he obviously has great legs, and he can escape the pocket. But be- lieve it or not, he can throw," senior edge Josaiah Stewart said. "People might not believe that — you see social media and whatnot saying that he can't throw. But he can throw, and I've seen him throw dots down the field. It's worse when you just almost get there and then he gets the ball off and it's a touchdown. "So, he's good at doing that. He's good at escaping and getting the ball downfield." The spring transfer portal opens April 16. We'll see how confident U-M coaches are about their room then. 2. How will the secondary adjust without Rod Moore (knee injury) and a new starter at the "other" corner? There's no sugarcoating Moore's loss. He reportedly suffered a noncontact knee injury that will likely cost him the 2024 season, and he was elite both as a player and a leader. He was expected to quarterback the defense from his safety position, and he will be missed. Fortunately, Michigan was able to get Quinten Johnson back for a sixth year — more will obviously be expected of him now — and veteran safety Makari Paige has really stepped up. He'll need to be more vocal, but he's playing at a very high level this spring, according to junior receiver Tyler Morris. As for the "other" corner opposite All-Big Ten pick Will Johnson — head coach Sherrone Moore said early he liked what he'd seen from sophomores DJ Waller Jr. and Jyaire Hill. Waller was especially impressive last year with his desire to learn, sources said, and he's taken another leap. "Right now, standing out to me is DJ Waller," Morris said. "He's a big, physi- cal, long corner. He's looked really good this spring and definitely challenged us. And I feel like [senior] Ja'Den McBur- rows has been doing good [at nickel]." They'll need others to step up, too, but there is talent here. Developing depth will be the key. 1. Will the revamped offensive line meet the Michigan standard? The Michigan offensive line was elite under Sherrone Moore, but first-year O-line coach Grant Newsome is facing a rebuild here. There's plenty of talent and several players — left tackle Myles Hinton and Northwestern transfer Josh Priebe, in particular — who have started a lot of games in their career, but they need to find five guys who can jell together. "I think we're going into practice No. 7 now. We've gotten pretty far ahead on it," Newsome said in early April. "I feel like we're in a good spot in terms of how guys have progressed and developed. "It's not like the next group is all freshmen or redshirt freshmen. There are a lot of guys in that room that have THE 3-2-1 BREAKDOWN What To Look For In The Spring Game At Michigan Stadium April 20