A look at every QB Michigan has landed over the last five recruiting cycles
Quarterback recruiting for Michigan continues to heat up under the efforts of offensive coordinator and positional coach Kirk Campbell, who currently has two four-star signal caller commits locked in, and they’ll follow the path of his first signee in the 2024 recruiting class.
Since JJ McCarthy, U-M has landed six quarterbacks on the trail. The other four are currently on the roster.
The Wolverine examines the recruiting process of each quarterback, how they ended up at Michigan, and how they performed last season.
Brady Hart, 2026
Commitment Date: June 18, 2024
Hometown: Cocoa, Florida
School: Cocoa High
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 185lbs
Industry Ranking: No. 92 Overall, No. 9 Quarterback, No. 15 in Florida
Other Notable Offers: Notre Dame, Clemson, Florida, Ohio State, Miami, Florida State
Last Season Results: 288-437 (65.9%), 3,759 Yards, 41 Touchdowns.
How We Got Here: Brady Hart took his first unofficial visit to Michigan this past weekend. It was a multi-day trip for him and his family, which led to the sophomore shutting down his recruitment early and garnering a close bond with Campbell. Hart is transitioning to a leadership role within the 2026 class after being the one prospect next cycle to choose the Wolverines.
Carter Smith, 2025
Commitment Date: November 14, 2023
Hometown: Ft. Myers, Florida
School: Bishop Verot
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 175lbs
Industry Ranking: No. 211 Overall, No. 16 Quarterback, No. 29 in Florida
Other Notable Offers: Florida, Miami, Penn State, Florida State, Texas A&M, Ole Miss
Last Season Results: 133-213 (62.4%), 2,223 Yards, 29 Touchdowns…103 Carries, 701 Yards, 19 Touchdowns.
How We Got Here: Carter Smith‘s journey to committing to Michigan almost mirrors Hart’s because of the fact that the former traveled for a multi-day unofficial in early November. He caught the night game against Purdue, received in-depth tours of campus and the facilities, and announced his decision less than two weeks later. Lauded for his dual-threat abilities, Smith played a hand in U-M landing Hart and has been active in adding more pledges to the 2025 class.
Jadyn Davis, 2024
Commitment Date: March 31, 2023
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
School: Bishop Verot
Height: 6-foot-0.5
Weight: 190lbs
Industry Ranking: No. 106 Overall, No. 8 Quarterback, No. 5 in North Carolina
Other Notable Offers: Clemson, Georgia, UNC, Ohio State, Tennessee, Alabama
Last Season Results: 204-288 (70.8%), 3,425 Yards, 43 Touchdowns.
How We Got Here: Jadyn Davis committed to Michigan a little more than two months following Campbell’s promotion to quarterbacks coach in January of last year. Davis had made four trips to Ann Arbor prior to Campbell getting the nod, so the latter worked swiftly in developing rapport with the early enrollee and his family. Davis arrived in time to take part in preparations for the College Football Playoffs and received significant playing time during the April spring game.
Kendrick Bell, 2023
Commitment Date: October 17, 2022
Hometown: Kansas City, Mo.
School: Park Hill
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 180lbs
Industry Ranking: No. 875 Overall, No. 47 Quarterback, No. 21 in Missouri
Other Notable Offers: Northern Iowa, Massachusetts
Last Season Results: Did Not See Game Action
How We Got Here: Kendrick Bell is the younger brother of Ronnie Bell. His official visit to Michigan occurred in mid-October for the Penn State game during the 2022 season and he committed shortly afterwards. Bell played quarterback for his high school but transitioned to wide receiver once he joined the Wolverines because of his athleticism, which stems from his multi-sport stardom in football, basketball, and track. Wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy has given position remarks about Bell’s progressions this offseason.
Alex Orji, 2022
Commitment Date: December 15, 2021
Hometown: Sachse, Texas
School: Sachse High
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 236lbs
Industry Ranking: No. 390 Overall, No. 12 Quarterback, No. 60 in Texas
Other Notable Offers: Oklahoma, Baylor, Vanderbilt, TCU, Nebraska, Virginia Tech
Last Season Results: Appeared In Six Games. 15 Carries, 86 Yards, 1 Touchdown.
How We Got Here: Alex Orji flipped from Virginia Tech to Michigan on early National Signing Day as Jim Harbaugh and former assistant Matt Weiss secured his services at the final minute. Over the past two seasons, Orji’s role has been used in Wildcat. But as the Wolverines carry on its search for a starting quarterback, his name has come up often to lead the unit because of his explosive traits that recently landed him on The Athletic’s Freak List.
Jayden Denegal, 2022
Commitment Date: June 23, 2021
Hometown: Apple Valley, Calif.
School: Sachse High
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 235lbs
Industry Ranking: No. 489 Overall, No. 27 Quarterback, No. 33 in California
Other Notable Offers: Georgia, Michigan State, Auburn, Arkansas, Utah, Cal
Last Season Results: Appeared In Six Games. 4-5 (80%), 50 Yards, 1 Touchdown. 4 Carries, 10 Yards.
How We Got Here: Jayden Denegal traveled to Ann Arbor in the summer of 2021 to camp in front of the coaching staff. After his outing, Michigan issued an offer, and he committed to the reigning national champions on the same day. Since signing with the Wolverines, Denegal has worked to move up on the depth chart. Without a named starter for the 2024 season, this summer could be Denegal’s opportunity to earn quality playing time.
