Michigan Football: Ranking the Jim Harbaugh era quarterbacks
By Brady Back
Since the Jim Harbaugh era began for Michigan football in 2015, seven different players have started at quarterback for the Wolverines.
During that time Harbaugh and company have gone 61-24. Coming off Michigan’s best season under Harbaugh, I found it appropriate to rank every starting quarterback thus far during his tenure. (JJ McCarthy will not be included because he has not started a game for the Wolverines.)
7. Brandon Peters (2017)
During his time at Michigan, Brandon Peters only saw action in 11 games. Peters started four games for the Wolverines and finished with less than memorable stats. Before transferring to Illinois in 2019, Peters finished his career with four touchdowns, three interceptions, and 680 passing yards.
Despite his lackluster play with Michigan football, Peters found success for the Illini. The 2017 Wolverines finished 8-5 while Peters fought for time with John O’Korn and Wilton Speight.
Perhaps Peters’s time at Michigan would have looked different had he played for the Wolverines the way he played for Illinois.
6. John O’Korn (2016-17)
The highly touted Houston transfer never lived up to the hype in Ann Arbor. John O’Korn was thought to be a savior at the quarterback position for Jim Harbaugh, yet never really found his footing. In two seasons for Michigan football, O’Korn saw action in 16 games and started six.
As primarily a backup quarterback, O’Korn threw for four touchdowns, six interceptions, and 1,146 yards. Like Peters, O’Korn was an attempt to replace Wilton Speight following an injury to the starter. Unfortunately, at times, O’Korn did more damage than good for the Wolverines.
5. Joe Milton (2018-2020)
Joe Milton’s early comparisons to Cam Newton were exciting for Michigan fans in 2018. Outside of Shea Patterson, Michigan hadn’t had a true dual-threat quarterback since Denard Robinson. Milton however never put it together for the Wolverines.
Milton started five games and appeared in 14 while in Ann Arbor. The 6’5 QB ended his Michigan career with five touchdowns, six interceptions, and 1,194 yards. Milton was benched in favor of Cade McNamara before transferring to Tennessee in 2021.