Mikey Keene injury update: Sherrone Moore explains Michigan QB's absence in spring game

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore revealed why QB Mikey Keene did not play in Saturday’s spring game. Due to injury, Keene sat out of the game, but was throwing.

“Sherrone Moore said Mikey Keene is throwing and that what he was dealing with happened just before spring ball,” The Wolverine’s Anthony Broome wrote on Twitter. “Cited the amount of snaps he’s played in his career as why they knew they didn’t need to push it with him. Also said he expects the quarterback battle to go into fall camp.”

Keene played four years of college football already, playing two each at UCF and Fresno State since 2021. He’s thrown 65 touchdowns and for 8,245 yards in his career.

“I think the first thing we saw was when we played against him,” Moore said in March. “I remember watching him in the summer. I said, damn, this kid’s pretty good. We’ve got to deal with this dude in game one. He’s making all these throws. He’s experienced.

“I did a study of all the guys that had the most snaps, and he’s played the most snaps in college football on our team, over 2,000-something snaps. A guy that’s played a lot of football, understands the moments, understands the big moments, understands what it takes to be really good. He’s been a great addition for our football program.”

There is a contrast in styles in how both quarterbacks are built and operate. Freshman QB Bryce Underwood operates at 6-4, 208 pounds as a dual-threat guy who uses his legs to make plays. Keene stands 5-11, 200 pounds and is more crafty than he is mobile.

“Obviously, size is a little different,” Moore said. “But talk about a guy that knows the game, extremely intelligent, wants to be a coach after he gets done playing. So the experience piece is the biggest piece there.”

As far as the quarterback competition is concerned, Keene is very much in the running. His absence during the spring game does not affect that.

“The guy that’s making the most plays, that has the command of the offense and command of the team, because it can’t just be the offense. It’s got to be both sides of the ball,” Moore said. “So we’ll know whenever that happens, not in a rush to make that decision.

“It’s been a great competition so far. But it’s been awesome to watch those guys. They’re so together. It’s a room that’s together and that understands it and support each other, which is really cool to see… I feel like those guys are competing at a high level, but they’re still collaborative at the same time.”