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Michigan Football: Breaking Down the QB’s Heading into 2016

By Chris Peterson

Apr 1, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Wilton Speight (3) hands off to running back Ty Isaac (32) during the spring game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Wilton Speight (3) hands off to running back Ty Isaac (32) during the spring game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Michigan football team may not know its starting quarteback yet for the 2016 season, but the Wolverines are still looking strong at the position regardless.

When it comes to the Michigan football team in 2016, the quarterback spot and more importantly, who will be the starting quarterback might be the biggest question yet to answer.

Related Story: Future Battle at QB Will Be Epic

However, just because Michigan football doesn’t have a starting quarterback yet, doesn’t necessarily mean head coach Jim Harbaugh doesn’t have anything to work with. In fact, it couldn’t be farther from the case.

Harbaugh, who is known as a quarterback guru, will have plenty of talent to mold. Whether it’s former Houston transfer John O’Korn or Wilton Speight, the incumbent coming out of camp; Shane Morris, Alex Malzone or superstar freshman Brandon Peters, they all have the tools.

Here’s a little more info on the quarterbacks following the spring via the Big Ten Network.

At the end of the day, unless there’s a big surprise in fall camp, the battle to be the Wolverines starting quarterback in 2016, will come down to O’Korn and Speight.

Speight, who had a great spring and a solid spring game, going 5-for-6 and leading two scoring drives, had this to say following the game to the Detroit Free Press:

“If I was worried about (competition), I promise you I wouldn’t have come here with all the hype around Shane with him being the chosen one and all of that stuff,” Speight said. “I told the coaching staff, if you offer me, I’ll come, because I’m not nervous about competition.

“I don’t care what other people have to say. Because when it comes down to it, it’s Coach (Jedd) Fisch’s decision and Coach (Jim) Harbaugh’s decision.”

Many Michigan followers, including your’s truly have advocated that O’Korn be the starter. But, he has yet to prove he can play with the consistency needed of a big-time starting quarterback. And at least in Speight, the Wolverines know what they are getting.

Yet, who knows, by season’s end, maybe Peters will have shown enough that Harbaugh is willing to give him a shot. After all, Harbaugh did at one time compare Peters to Andrew Luck.

The incoming freshman also enrolled early and took part in spring practice, which could give him a leg up and a chance at working himself into the fray in fall camp or as the season progresses.

The nice thing for Michigan is that even though it doesn’t have an established starter yet, it does have players with talent and a coaching staff capable of getting that talent to shine.

The Wolverines also have plenty of talent in other areas such as at running back, receiver, tight end and along the offense line. That will make life easier for whoever is taking snaps this season.

Many may be worried about the lack of a starter, but Harbaugh clearly isn’t. He loves competition and by the time August rolls around, the best man will win the job.

Next: Top 10 Michigan Running Backs in History

That much we can guarantee.

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