Would Michigan Football be the preseason No. 1 if J.J. McCarthy had returned?

Usually, after you win the national championship you get the benefit of the doubt by starting the season at the top until you lose, but that's not the case for the maize and blue. They lost too much to the draft, including its once-in-a-lifetime five-star quarterback. J.J. McCarthy began his post-Michigan football career on Saturday and the Wolverines are left to find his successor.

Imagine if McCarthy did come back to Michigan though. He would be the undeniable number one prospect at the position over Carson Beck and Shedeur Sanders, and maybe in the entire 2025 draft. He would also have Michigan football ranked higher than what they are currently ranked in the preseason polls.

The offense wouldn't have any weaknesses practically. We would get to see McCarthy versus Quinn Ewers, a potential top five battle with Oregon and a chance to go 4-0 against the Buckeyes. It definitley would have increased Michigan's chances of repeating in the Big Ten and on the national scene.

Michigan football turned the page at quarterback

Instead, the Wolverines will likely turn to Alex Orji. He's not McCarthy, but he's chomping at the bit to create his own path to stardom. With very little seen from him in the passing game Orji will be pushed by Jack Tuttle who has more experience, but being in college for seven years without much to show for it as a starter is troublesome.

Tuttle's best outing at Michigan was facing his old school, Indiana in October of 2023. While in Bloomington he did help beat Wisconsin on the road in 2020, with Michael Penix Jr. still on the roster as his most productive start as a Hoosier. For Tuttle to succeed, he needs better players around him and he has that at Michigan. However, if he can't beat out Orji for the job, then it may never happen for him.

Davis Warren doesn't seem like a viable option as he is as competent as Orji is at throwing it in on field in action. The x-factor is Jadyn Davis, but according to reports he is scheduled to redshirt. Some, including myself, expected him to come along like McCarthy did, but he apparently isn't up to the task just yet. The ideal situation will continue to be 2025 for him as the heir apparent, although his talent is above the rest.

Then there's Jayden Denegal. Nobody is talking about him and he hasn't given anyone a reason to either. For Michigan to continue their run it will be a necessity for Orji to win some with his arm. That's an alarming warning for a continuous national championship contender to not have someone better ready. So at this point, it's Orji or bust in 2024.