Michigan football 2025 quarterback competition taking shape
TAMPA — A segment of the Michigan fan base might have been underwhelmed when the Wolverines picked up Mikey Keene from the transfer portal, but the U-M coaches got their man. A past relationship between Keene and new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey helped seal the deal, and it appears clear Keene will have his opportunity to start next year.
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For those wondering if frosh Bryce Underwood was “guaranteed” a starting spot from the get-go, head coach Sherrone Moore was emphatic today that wasn’t the case. Furthermore, he said, that’s the way his freshman wants it.
“It’s open competition,” Moore said today. “Nobody is promised a certain spot. Everybody has got to earn it, and [Keene] really understands that, even with the guys we’ve brought in. So, he’s really excited to push the whole room.
“You want to make sure you have enough guys in the room to push each other. Bryce wanted that. A big thing when we were recruiting Bryce was, ‘who is going to push me and make me better?’ All his life he’s been pushed to be better. He doesn’t want to be given anything. That was huge for us.”
Likewise, Keene understands he’s going to have an opportunity, not just to compete with Underwood but also everyone else in the room, as well. Moore said he hopes veteran starter Davis Warren will be one of them, too.
“Mikey’s been a great addition just in the talks I’ve already had with him,” Moore said. “He’s really excited to push Bryce and try to challenge for that starting spot, because it’s not given. Somebody’s got to go earn it … [but] he’s an experienced guy that’s played a lot of football.
“I’m really excited about him. We played him in the first game, so we know how tough he is. We know the type of throws he can make. I had just heard great things and tactical things about him as a leader, and I’m really excited for him to push that room and give us an experienced guy that we feel that he can win … he made plays at all different levels. He’s familiar with Chip Lindsey — hat was really huge; they had a connection previously. That helped. But just all the reviews that we got from him as a person, as a player, and then it was huge that we played him this year. We saw him live in action. We saw him make some really good throws and do some things dynamic. So, we’re really ready for him to get going in this program.”
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He and Underwood have already met, Moore noted, and they hit it off. They’ll get to know each other more this winter and in Michigan football spring ball competition.
“It went great,” Moore said. “It feels like they’ve known each other for a long time. They both want to push, both want to compete and want to make Michigan great.”
As for a potential Warren return … “we’ll see,” Moore said. “I think right now it feels like he’s leaning that way, but I don’t want [to announce] the decision for him.
“Ultimately, we want him here. He’s helped us win the most important game of the year, and he’s a vital part of that locker room and that quarterback room. He’s done a great job pushing Bryce right now and teaching him. He’s been awesome, and I want to keep him around if at all possible.”
