Michigan Wolverines Football: Who Starts at Quarterback?

With Michigan Wolverines quarterback Devin Gardner now on his way to the NFL as a wide receiver, that leaves a spot to be filled and for new head coach Jim Harbaugh to figure out who will do that.

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Let’s first start with who is the most likely favorite based off experience and that is quarterback Shane Morris. Morris will be a junior next year for the Wolverines and looked at as the man who may end up with the nod. However, his career stats don’t help his case too much as he has yet to throw a touchdown pass and has five interceptions on his resume. The 6-foot-3 quarterback with a strong left arm does have potential to improve over the next two years if he is named the starter. So for right now, he has to be looked at as the front-runner based on his experience.

Next, quarterback Wilton Speight. Speight, who will be a sophomore next year, has some physical tools that could help him succeed at quarterback. At 6-foot-6 and weighing just over 230 pounds, Speight is a big quarterback who is very accurate when throwing the ball downfield. His senior year, Speight threw for 2,845 yards and 33 touchdowns while also racking up just under 300 yards rushing. While Speight doesn’t have a lot of speed to offer, he most likely won’t need it in an offense led by Harbaugh. Look for Speight to compete during the spring practice.

Finally, newly committed and flipped quarterback Zach Gentry. Gentry, who was recently committed to the University of Texas, stands even bigger than Speight at 6-feet-7 and weighing 240 pounds. His senior season, Gentry threw for 2,978 yards and 26 scores and also rushed for 1,057 yards and 22 touchdowns. Gentry from a body of work looks to be the more complete quarterback. Even if there is a possibly he might be red-shirted, he could somehow impress the coaching staff into somehow winning the job in front of Morris and Speight.

When the Wolverines signed Harbaugh, it was looked at a game-changing hire for the Big Ten. For Michigan, Harbaugh will have to figure out who will be the game-changer at quarterback.

Next: National Signing Day: Harbaugh Flips Two More Recruits