Michigan QB Jack Tuttle embracing shot as starter, discusses injury return

ANN ARBOR – The Michigan Wolverines have turned the page at the quarterback position for the second time this season, moving from Alex Orji to Jack Tuttle during the loss at Washington last weekend. Now, U-M is primed to start its third quarterback of the season when the team returns to action on Oct. 19 at Illinois.

Tuttle spoke to the media on Tuesday night from Schembechler Hall, reflecting on last weekend’s performance in Seattle and a performance that saw him lead three-straight scoring drives, but turning the ball over twice late.

WATCH: Michigan QB Jack Tuttle, EDGE Josaiah Stewart discuss bye week, more

“I think first of all, it’s just a blessing to be back out there and play for such a great university,” Tuttle said. “I think obviously it wasn’t the outcome we wanted, but we learned a lot personally. It’s a couple plays, two, three plays that I wish I had back that could have won us the game.

“I take responsibility for my mistakes. I’m gonna be better for it.”

Tuttle dealt with an upper-body injury that kept him out of the bulk of Michigan’s offseason before being fully cleared for practice last week, he said. Now, he is embracing the opportunity to run the offense moving forward.

“Super exciting to be presented this opportunity,” he said. “But I really think personally, like even when I was hurt, I was still preparing like I was going to play. I didn’t know if I was ever going to play or not, so that part really doesn’t change for me.

“But just getting more live reps and being with the guys, more chemistry, finding ourselves. That’s really what we’re trying to do over the bye.”

Tuttle is in his second season at Michigan and the seventh collegiate season overall, but he didn’t even know that would happen when he arrived in the spring of 2023. He joined to compete for the backup job to J.J. McCarthy, but found himself in a new and exciting spot heading into 2024.

“When I came to Michigan, I sold out my career for the university,” Tuttle said. “I didn’t think I would have another year. So I came here for Coach Campbell, Coach Moore, Coach Harbaugh, Coach Hart, and came here to be the backup to JJ. And that’s what happened.

“Blessed to get granted another year. As soon as I found that out, I was bent on coming back and trying to get an opportunity and get healthy and play for the University of Michigan.”

Tuttle and Michigan have been coy about his status, choosing not to address the exact ailment and recovery process. Currently, he is just focused on staying healthy and leading the team.

“I don’t want to talk about it too much because I don’t want this to be fully about me,” Tuttle said. “I have had several injuries throughout my career, and I think the previous injuries just helped prepare me for this past year. Last year, I got thrown the sideline into a Gatorade [cooler]. That was a completely different thing from what’s been holding me back for the past couple of months. Like I said, it’s just a blessing to be able to throw a football again. I’m just very thankful.

Tuttle is in a position where a bye week might be a little different for him. While other Michigan players might be getting rest and resetting in practices, he is still ramping back up for his opportunity as the team’s starter.

He spoke about what the biggest focus is during the bye.

“I just think this week it’s getting together with the guys, getting some more reps,” Tuttle said. “A lot more reps. Just continuing to work and get better, learn from my mistakes. We’re finding our identity and we’re shaping ourselves over the past six games.

“Every single game we’ve learned something about ourselves. So, this week, we’re just taking with each of those improvements from each game, putting them together, finding a formula that works for us, and getting better.

“We have all the pieces. I think if we come together as a team — we’re tight-knit, but we can become even more tight-knit as a unit — we can find ourselves this week. We had a great practice today, so if we keep doing that we’re going to be in a good spot.”