Sherrone Moore quick-hitters: Challenges Fresno State presents, Michigan QBs, breakout candidates

Michigan Wolverines football head coach Sherrone Moore met with the media Monday morning to kick off Fresno State week. Here are bullet points on the most noteworthy things he said.

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Sherrone Moore quick-hitters

• Moore said Michigan is “close” to making a decision on who the starting quarterback will be, with the battle continuing on between senior Davis Warren and junior Alex Orji. He said the winner of the job will be informed later this week.

• Moore said he will consider playing multiple quarterbacks, noting that it worked well for Florida with Tim Tebow and Chris Leak in the mid-2000s. First team reps have been “even” between Orji and Warren.

• Moore doesn’t anticipate any huge changes with Fresno State, who has a new interim head coach in Tim Skipper, who took over July 24 for Jeff Tedford, who stepped down due to health concerns. Skipper was the defensive coordinator, so that side of the ball will likely be the same.

• Fresno State quarterback Mikey Keene, an honorable mention All-Mountain West performer last season, is “not as big” as most quarterbacks at 5-foot-11, 200 pounds, but Moore lauded his ability to get the ball out quick and his mobility. Moore pointed out that Michigan will have to contain him when he looks to get out of the pocket.

• Moore said Michigan has a “mature culture,” so he doesn’t have many concerns with the team looking ahead to next week’s game against Texas.

• Moore said there’s excitement among the team that they don’t have to “bash each other’s heads in” anymore and that they’ll get to go against different colored jerseys.

• Moore doesn’t have any “nerves” anymore — he’s just “ready to go” for the season. He’s anxious because of his excitement.

• It’s not surprising that Warren is in the mix to start at quarterback, since the leukemia survivor is a “fighter.” He’s “earned the opportunity to compete for it.”

• Moore said watching another top-10 team in Florida State lose over the weekend (to Georgia Tech in Dublin, Ireland) is a reminder that the Wolverines have to prepare like they’re playing “the No. 1 team.” He noted that their approach is to view opponents as “nameless and faceless.”

• Moore said Michigan players that weren’t considered starters in the past have played key roles, so he doesn’t expect much of a drop-off in talent or depth.

• Junior linebacker Jimmy Rolder had a “great camp.” He’s “healthy, feels good and is playing to that potential.” He started against Ohio State in 2022, according to the coach.

• The safeties that are standing out in addition to graduate Makari Paige are junior Zeke Berry, graduate Wesley Walker, junior Jaden Mangham and sophomore Brandyn Hillman, who’s taken his game to a “new level.”

• Berry was the one that junior cornerback Will Johnson and senior safety Rod Moore pointed to in the spring when Moore asked them who they’re most excited about in the secondary.

• Moore said both quarterbacks who are competing have expansive “menus” as far as the plays the Wolverines are comfortable running for them. They both can run the entire offense.

• Moore won’t watch the Sign Stealer documentary that comes out Tuesday, he’ll be “watching film.”

• It will be a competition that continues on for snaps at the third wide receiver spot for Michigan, behind junior Tyler Morris and sophomore Semaj Morgan. Moore listed sophomore Kendrick Bell, graduate C.J. Charleston, junior Amorion Walker and sophomore Fredrick Moore as contenders.

• At center, seniors Dominick Giudice and Greg Crippen are the top two contenders.

• At right tackle, junior Andrew Gentry and sophomore Evan Link are the top two contenders.

• Sophomore cornerback Jyaire Hill has taken ahold of a starting position.

• Junior Marlin Klein has solidified himself as the third tight end behind junior Colston Loveland and senior Max Bredeson.

• Moore was asked about injuries and said Michigan is “locked,” appearing to indicate that there aren’t any major ailments.

• Moore hopes Michigan fans are proud of the product on Saturday and see a team flying around, playing fast and physical, tough.”

• Nobody is talking about senior EDGE TJ Guy, Moore said, but he has put himself in the conversation of playing at the same level as the starters at the position. He also mentioned sophomore Cameron Brandt as someone who will rotate in.