Potential replacements for J.J. McCarthy at QB for Michigan

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy departed college with a 27-1 record as a starter, two wins over Ohio State and a national championship. On April 25, he's expected to go in the first round of the NFL Draft. 

But who will replace him as quarterback for the Wolverines, who will play their annual spring game Saturday? Here are Michigan's QB options for the 2024 season.

Alex Orji | Junior 

In many ways, Orji is seen as holding an incumbency advantage although he has not started a game for Michigan. In 2023, the 6-foot-2, 236-pounder rushed 15 times for 86 yards and one TD but did not throw a pass.

Other than McCarthy, he saw more playing time than any other QB on the roster, mostly as a change-of-pace runner. 

“Excited to turn Alex loose. I think he’ll be right in the battle next year for sure," former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said before the CFP game against Alabama last season, per MLive.com.

Orji's athleticism is off the charts — he has elite arm strength — and he is considered by many to be the best athlete on Michigan's team regardless of position. If that ability can be paired with precision passing, Orji could be unstoppable. 

In the spring game, we'll see how the QB from Sachse, Texas meshes with receivers he never had the chance to target in game action last season.

Jadyn Davis | Freshman

Starting a true freshman is always risky, no matter how talented the player is, but if the coaching staff doesn't think Orji is cut out for a starting role, Davis could be the man.

Davis, a five-star recruit from Charlotte, N.C., enrolled early and traveled to the College Football Playoff games with Michigan, so the 6-foot-1, 203-pounder is already entrenched in the program.

It's hard to imagine he would've been so directly involved with 2023 if the coaches thought he had no chance to compete in 2024, so expect him to at least get a chance. 

Other Options

The quarterback battle is most likely a two-horse race between Orji and Davis, but with so much time to go before the first game Aug. 31 against Fresno State, it's hard to be sure. Other QBs could also get playing time.

Davis Warren, a 6-foot-2, 195-pound senior, threw five passes last season, none completed and one intercepted. It's fair to say he's on the outside looking in in this competition.

Still, with uncertainty at the position, Warren could enter the discussion for starter, especially if he plays well in the spring game. Replacing an injured McCarthy, he stood out in the 2022 edition of the spring scrimmage.

Jack Tuttle, a grad student and transfer from Indiana, threw more passes in 2023 than anyone else on this list, completing 15 of 17 attempts for 130 yards and a touchdown and no picks. 

The 6-foot-4, 210-pounder is a former five-star recruit, and while he's not on the same level as Orji, he has the running ability to pair with his small-yet-impressive sample size of passing production.

Lastly, there's junior Jayden Denegal, who completed four of five passes and threw for a touchdown last season. 

In a 45-7 win over Nebraska in 2023, the 6-foot-5, 235-pounder impressed with his arm and legs. He needs a good performance in the spring game to raise his profile.