Michigan Football: Who Wins The Backup Quarterback Job?

Entering the 2023 season, Michigan football has something that they don’t always have: a clear-cut QB1. From the days of Jake Rudock and Shane Morris to last year’s battle between J.J. McCarthy and Cade McNamara, the Wolverines are no stranger to quarterback battles.

Alas, McCarthy, the returning starter, not only firmly holds the job, but is receiving NFL hype going into the season. 

This doesn’t mean there isn’t a quarterback battle this year, however. While McCarthy’s spot is safe, who ends up as his primary backup is far from settled. The good news is that Michigan football has plenty of options.

Who emerges as the best of the bunch though is anyone’s guess. Today, we’ll evaluate those options and predict who will be first in relief.

Davis Warren

After Cade McNamara’s injury last year, former walk-on Davis Warren served as the primary backup. Given it being garbage time, he didn’t throw much, but when he did he looked alright. He completed five of his nine passes for 89 yards, along with picking up 30 yards on the ground on three carries.

Warren also backed up McCarthy in the Michigan football spring game, where he completed eight of his 13 passes for a game-high 163 yards and an interception.

Warren is probably the safest option. A game manager who’s been in Michigan’s system for a few years, the junior knows what’s expected of him and how to execute it. He’s nothing flashy, but his floor is pretty high for a backup.