Michigan Football: Latest on Wolverines quarterback competition

Michigan football might be playing this fall and with that in mind, here’s the latest intel on the Wolverines quarterback situation.

With growing momentum for a fall season in the Big Ten and more reports making it seem like a reality, there might be Michigan football starting in October.

There is a long way to go and until we see an actual vote from the decision makers in the Big Ten, nothing is guaranteed. A vote is expected but even though Dan Patrick has said Michigan won’t be involved, I’d be shocked if that was actually the case.

At any rate, the talk about who will play quarterback for the Wolverines this season will get much more real if the campaign is set to start Oct. 17.

That will give Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan football staff about a month to get their team prepared. The Wolverines have been practicing but the first big decision will be at QB.

Joe Milton has been the leader by all accounts this fall. And in a recent update on the quarterbacks, Sam Webb of the Michigan Insider ($) said that was still the case. He even said Milton had a pair of long touchdown passes in practice that turned heads.

"“Multiple sources have said Milton has been the top performer in their view. And they have all said it. Not even one dissenting opinion. Just last week there was buzz about a couple beautiful 60-plus yard pass plays from Milton, which is a sampling of the kind of excitement he is generating inside the program.”"

While all the signs are pointing towards Milton being the No. 1, Webb indicates that McCaffrey, who is a redshirt junior, has been improving too.

"“He doesn’t have to prove to anyone he can run. He has been working on developing as a passer, and it shows.”"

McCaffrey is a strong presence in the locker room. He was one of the player who protested in the streets for a season and while I don’t think he will be the starter, I do think he’ll play.

We all know about Milton’s arm strength and if the reports are true, his accuracy and decision-making will be much improved. That will set him apart from McCaffrey.

But Milton isn’t a great runner and more than that, I don’t know how much Michigan football will want him to run. McCaffrey though, could be a real weapon, especially because he’s a multi-dimensional quarterback who can run and throw.

Quarterback runs are nice in short-yardage situations because it allows the offense to have an extra blocker and it’s possible, Michigan use McCaffrey in that role.

Beyond that, he will give the Wolverines a reliable backup if Milton is declared the starter and gets injured or doesn’t perform.

Also, as Webb points out and I’ve said too, these practices aren’t like a normal fall camp. If the season is back on, things will ramp up and that will be a better indicator of where things stand.

Hopefully, Harbaugh makes a decision sooner rather than later, especially if Milton has been as good as the reports suggest.

However, even if Milton is the starter, McCaffrey will have a role to play this season and with all the things he can do, the Wolverines would be smart to incorporate him in the offense.