2015 Michigan Quarterback Competition
By David Cuff
Sep 27, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Shane Morris (7) passes the ball in the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
The Michigan quarterback competition is the most anticipated position battle of the offseason for the Wolverines. It’s a four man race and Jim Harbaugh has said there are no front runners. Whoever wins it will have earned it, and will play a pivotal role in how good Michigan can be next season.
Shane Morris may have the best chance to be Michigan’s starting QB next season. The junior is the only quarterback in the competition who has any experience at the college level. Morris has appeared in 10 games through his first two seasons and has started two of those games. His numbers are nothing special as he has thrown five interceptions and no touchdowns, but he also hasn’t had a lot to work with. Hopefully coach Harbaugh can bring the best out of him.
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Wilton Speight was one of Michigan’s top recruits in their 2014 class and he redshirted last season. He is 6-foot-6, 230 pounds and has all the physical tools necessary to be a great quarterback. He has a leg up on the two true freshmen in the race as he at least has a full year of practices under his belt, but he still has a lot to prove. Speight has the potential to be an elite QB.
Alex Malzone was one of Michigan’s better recruits for this 2015 class and he has the added advantage of being an early enrollee. He still has a lot of catching up to do and will look to do as much of that as possible in spring practice. Malzone is a little on the small side at 6-foot-1, 203 pounds, but he is a proven winner. Malzone is a dark horse but anything can happen.
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Zach Gentry already looks like an NFL quarterback with his massive 6-foot-7, 230 pound frame. He was a late addition to the 2015 class and is one of Michigan’s top recruits. He already has good arm strength, accuracy, and is a wild card in the competition. The biggest thing going against Gentry is the fact that he won’t be enrolling at Michigan until the summer so he will be behind the other three quarterbacks.
The Michigan quarterback competition is wide open and anyone of the four above quarterbacks could win it. Morris and Speight have the inside track, but the two freshmen will have an opportunity to prove they belong as well. It should be a fun offseason for the Michigan football program.