Five things we won't learn about Michigan football at 2024 Big Ten Media Days

Michigan Wolverines football head coach Sherrone Moore and three player representatives — graduate safety Makari Paige, senior fullback / tight end Max Bredeson and senior running back Donovan Edwards — will take the stage as three-time defending Big Ten champions at the conference’s media days Thursday. Here are five topics we don’t expect firm answers on, for a number of reasons.

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1. Who the quarterback will be

When joining us on The Wolverine Podcast this week, head coach Sherrone Moore lightheartedly said he wouldn’t reveal who the starting quarterback would be, and added he wouldn’t say whether or not he knows at this point, either. He said it with a smile because he knew we knew we weren’t getting that answer — and that’s completely understandable at this point.

Even if Moore has a good idea of what the plan will be, nothing is settled until fall camp. Moore even said after spring ball that Michigan may not know who its starter will be until about a week before the opener. He’s also said he’d be open to having the competition go into the season.

Don’t expect many answers on Michigan’s quarterbacks from the head coach. Insight on each contender will likely be provided by the players in attendance, but they won’t give any tells on who’s in the lead, either.

2. Michigan’s plan of attack on offense

If junior Alex Orji is the starting quarterback, the offense could look completely different than if one of senior Davis Warren or graduate Jack Tuttle is the guy. So in that sense, it’s impossible to know what Michigan’s offensive identity to be this early in the process, even if a lot of preparation has been done.

It’s also hard to say who the go-to wide receivers will be — though junior Tyler Morris is the overwhelming favorite to be just that. How good he and the others can be is to be determined, and will play into how tight-end-dependent the Wolverines are (they looked very dependent on the position in the spring game).

Offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell told The Wolverine this week that Michigan will play to the strengths of his players, using them in the best positions for their skill sets. That includes at running back, where senior Donovan Edwards and graduate Kalel Mullings are expected to lead the way. Both have different skill sets, with Edwards having the speed and Mullings packing more of a punch (though Edwards may be stronger than people realize and Mullings faster than fans know). Edwards and Mullings might be two of the best players on the offense, so getting them on the field, in good spots, will be a priority.

The Wolverines are also breaking in five new starters on the offensive line, and it could take time for them to mesh together.

3. Differences with Wink Martindale

When speaking to the media this spring, Paige said both there weren’t any changes with the defense and that it was “completely different.” He laughed and shrugged it off, basically indicating that he wasn’t going to share any secrets.

Moore said this week that defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, who spent the last 20 seasons coaching in the NFL, will put his “own stamp” on the defense. He’s proven to be more aggressive over the years but noted this summer that he’s not reckless, and he won’t send blitzes every play if the Wolverines can get pressure with their front four.

Michigan kept its system in place, for the most part, by hiring Martindale to replace Jesse Minter. We just won’t know what the differences in style will be exactly until toe meets leather this fall.

4. Other position battles

Besides quarterback, Michigan has several other position battles that will play out during camp, including at right tackle (graduate Jeffrey Persi, junior Andrew Gentry), cornerback (graduate Aamir Hall, sophomore Jyaire Hill, senior Ja’Den McBurrows), safety (graduate Quinten Johnson, graduate Wesley Walker, junior Jaden Mangham) and wide receiver (several names in the mix).

Moore has said he’s impressed with different breakout candidates and spoke positively about some of the incoming transfers, but there haven’t been many indications about clear-cut favorites in some of the different position battles. Part of that is because at some spots — including corner and safety — transfers who arrived this summer and haven’t had an official practice under their belt are in the mix.

5. Biggest concern

Whether it’s depth on defense, quarterback, the offensive line, playmakers on the outside or one of the cornerback spots, the coaching staff likely has a few different concerns they’re looking to address during fall camp. But at this time of year, in these media day settings, most topics are spoken of much more positively. Optimism across the conference (and college football) is a hell of a drug in July, which is partly why the preseason is so exciting. Hope springs eternal.