The Michigan Wolverines start their spring practice Saturday, as the Wolverines are heading to Bradenton, Florida to practice at IMG Academy. It's an early start to spring practice for Michigan, and the team has several questions it needs to figure out before the start of the regular season. The biggest question of all is who will start at QB for Michigan?
The Wolverines started Iowa graduate transfer Jake Rudock last season and it worked out pretty well. But the Wolverines won't have Rudock next season, and the QB position is once again open. Michigan has several contenders for the starting job, although Zach Gentry is no longer one of them, as he's been moved to tight end. We've broken down all five contenders below in our Michigan Spring QB Battle Preview And Breakdown.
Alex Malzone, Redshirt Freshman
Malzone was a four-star recruit and enrolled early last season. While he was a four-star recruit, Malzone wasn't as heralded as other players on this list and doesn't have the greatest size in the world. He's from Michigan and loves the school, but is near the bottom of the depth chart at the moment.
Brandon Peters, True Freshman
Peters enrolled early, meaning he'll have a shot at earning the job this year. He's a higher rated recruit that Malzone and will have better size once he bulks up. Peters will learn a lot his first season, but it's unlikely he'll win the starting job. He'll be a serious threat for the starting job in a year or two, but it seems more likely that he'll redshirt this season and soak up as much as he can. For more Michigan news, download the Chat Sports Android and iPhone app.
Shane Morris, Redshirt Junior
Morris redshirted last year, which was a bit of a surprise. But Morris' numbers at Michigan have not been great. While he's often found himself in tough situations, Morris has completed just 43 of 87 passes for 389 yards, no TDs and five picks. While some might want (or hope) Morris to provide the best competition at QB for Michigan, there's another QB that could be the No. 1 contender. If Morris doesn't win the starting job, he's a prime candidate to be a graduate transfer after the 2016 season.
Wilton Speight, Redshirt Sophomore
Speight made his first appearance last year, leading Michigan on the game-winning drive against Minnesota. Speight has great size, but he's not very mobile and doesn't have the greatest arm. He hasn't posted great stats, completing just 9 of 25 passes for 73 yards, a TD and a pick. Outside of that Minnesota game, he's only played in garbage time. He served as the backup last season and could do so again this year if he doesn't beat out the favorite for the starting job. For more Michigan Coverage, download the Chat Sports Android and iPhone app.
John O'Korn, Redshirt Junior
And here's the favorite to win the starting QB job for Michigan. O'Korn has more experience than any QB at Michigan and has the skill set to out-produce Rudock. O'Korn showed great promise as a freshman, completing 58 percent of his passes for 3,117 yards, 28 touchdowns and 10 picks. But O'Korn struggled in a new offensive system at Houston the next year, completing 52 percent of his passes with 8 picks and 6 TDs in just six games. He was benched in favor of the more mobile Greg Ward and O'Korn elected to transfer.
That move might have worked out best for everyone. O'Korn is a strong fit for Michigan's offense and could easily surpass his numbers from his freshman year at Houston. The tutelage of Jedd Fisch and Jim Harbaugh should have only helped O'Korn. Expect O'Korn to end up starting next season.
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