Michigan Football: Joe Milton is the clear choice at quarterback

There are rumors that Joe Milton is going to be the opening day starter for Michigan football and here’s why that makes a ton of sense for the Wolverines.

As far as when Michigan football will take the field for a game, we don’t know much. However, in terms of who the starting quarterback will be, the clues continue to pile up.

After reports from fall camp said that Milton was emerging as the favorite to win the starting job, Brandon Brown of the Wolverine Digest went a step further, citing a source that says Milton will be the starter for the Wolverines when the 2020 or 2020-21 season takes place.

“Michigan has its game-changing quarterback now,” is what Brown wrote according to his source.

Hopefully, the part about the game-changing quarterback is true because that’s what Michigan needs, but another recent update said Milton has had some struggles too.

The fact is that Milton is entering his third year in the program and what would be his first year as the starting quarterback. Neither Milton or Dylan McCaffrey have started a game in college, so there was always going to be some growing pains.

But Milton makes sense as the starting quarterback and for that reason, I hope the report turns out to be true. You just never know with Jim Harbaugh and quarterbacks.

Why Milton should be Michigan’s starter

The reason I like Milton as the starter is he offers the Wolverines more upside. He clearly has the better arm and while he’s not the runner McCaffrey is, Milton isn’t immobile.

Plus you have to figure whichever quarterback doesn’t start is going to transfer after the season. Does Michigan really want to see Milton transfer somewhere else and become an NFL draft pick?

The trouble when you have a real competition at quarterback is that a good player is going to lose and nowadays, that means transferring. McCaffrey can still play a role as the backup, especially using his ability as a runner but his days in the program will be numbered.

I’d expect the coaches to get creative with him and with the stable of running backs U-M has, the running game should be the focal point.

That’s another good reason to start Milton. He would have tons of talent around him. The offense could rely on the running game early and with Joe’s deep ball, the play-action pass could become a real weapon.

Milton is younger, has more upside and more eligibility. If the competition is close, he should be the guy. But from what we’ve heard, it’s not that close and Milton has emerged as the top guy.

So it makes sense that Harbaugh would go with him as the starter. That being said, I won’t necessarily believe it until Jim makes the announcement himself.