Sherrone Moore on when he plans to name Michigan starting QB, three players who will break out early in season
Michigan Wolverines football head coach Sherrone Moore says he hasn’t decided who his starting quarterback will be for Saturday’s season-opener against Fresno State. The Wolverines still have some time, and they have a plan for this week on how they’ll determine if senior Davis Warren or junior Alex Orji is the first man up behind center.
“We said we’re gonna give ourselves a couple practices in the week,” Moore said on the ‘Inside Michigan Football’ radio show. “If it takes Wednesday, it’ll take Wednesday, and we’ll probably tell the guy on Thursday.
“And then whether we report that, say it out loud on Friday or the day of the game, we’ll make that decision as we go and as they feel comfortable, too, because a big part of it is what the players want. We’ll try to make sure to make that decision here soon.”
Moore said there’s a lot riding on how each Michigan quarterback performs in practice as the team prepares for the Bulldogs.
“It will really be the guy that practices with the most consistency, making the best decisions, taking care of the football and making enough plays,” Moore explained. “Both of them are going to be going against similar looks, because it’s not gonna be our defense now; it’s gonna be their defense. So who’s gonna execute, whether you’re with the one offense or the two offense, because they’re both going to take snaps with both, who’s going to execute with the most consistency.”
The Michigan coach was asked if the decision will be for the entire season.
“It’s so hard to say that, because you need two that can really play, and you just gotta see how the guy plays in the first game,” Moore replied. “And if it’s consistent enough to help you win the next one, then yeah, it is. Like with [former Michigan quarterback] J.J. [McCarthy], we knew he was going to be consistent enough to win the next game.
“For us, it’s going to be, who’s gonna be consistent enough to help us win the game. And not just manage the game, but sometimes you’re going to have to make a play. You’re going to have to make a play on third down, you’re going to have to make a play in the red zone to do things to help us win. So who’s going to do that is ultimately going to be that starting quarterback.”
Graduate Jack Tuttle has been slowed by an injury, but two other quarterbacks beyond Warren and Orji have impressed Moore — freshman Jadyn Davis and junior Jayden Denegal.
“Jayden Denegal has had a good camp, and he’s continuing to progress,” Moore said. “But the guy that’s probably stepping up even more is Jadyn Davis, the freshman. He’s been awesome to watch, the progression, because nothing really bothers him.
“You can see why he’s won two state championships and played at a high level against a lot of competition, because he just plays and keeps playing — nothing really bothers the kid.”
Sherrone Moore on three Michigan receivers who will break out
Moore said Michigan has a lot of players that outsiders don’t talk about that he expects to have big seasons. He broke down three on the offensive side of the ball — junior tight end Marlin Klein, graduate wide receiver C.J. Charleston and sophomore wideout Kendrick Bell.
“Marlin Klein, he has a freakish skill set, and he’s finally gotten the play book, mentally, and knows what to do and how to do it, and use that skill set in those different settings,” Moore said. “So he’s going to be one that I’m super excited about.
“C.J. Charleston, the transfer from Youngstown State, I mean, this kid has some dynamic ability and skill set in the things he does. He’s super dependable. He’s learned so fast, and he’s super dynamic with the ball in his hands, he’s fast, shifty, strong. He’s a guy.
“Kendrick Bell … everybody is familiar with [former Michigan wideout and Kendrick’s older brother] Ronnie [Bell]. He’s probably got a little bit more athleticism than Ronnie, but he’s gotta prove to have the mindset and the heart of Ronnie, because we all know Ronnie was a complete animal.”
