The Michigan Wolverines are no strangers to quarterback drama, but 2024 took things to a whole new level. Head coach Sherrone Moore found himself in a constant shuffle, experimenting with three different QBs throughout the season. The offensive line struggled, the defense wavered, and Michigan’s overall performance failed to live up to expectations. But just as it seemed the Wolverines had finally locked in their quarterback of the future, disaster struck.
Davis Warren had emerged as the frontrunner for Michigan’s QB1 role heading into the 2025 season—until fate had other plans. In a cruel twist, Warren suffered a devastating ACL injury during the ReliaQuest Bowl, sidelining him for nearly a year. Suddenly, Michigan’s quarterback dilemma was back at square one, and Sherrone Moore was left scrambling for answers.
Desperate to secure a game-changer, Moore made a bold move, landing former LSU commit Bryce Underwood with a staggering $12 million NIL deal. The five-star recruit, boasting a flawless 100 rating on 247 Sports, was hailed as the next big thing. But Moore didn’t stop there—he knew he needed more depth. Enter Mikey Keene, the experienced Fresno State quarterback, brought in to stabilize the position while Underwood developed.
A clear plan seemed to be in place: Keene would lead, and Underwood would learn. But then, another name started making waves—one that had been lurking in the shadows all along.
The Dark Horse Nobody’s Talking About: Jadyn Davis
While all eyes were on Underwood and Keene, one name had been overlooked in the QB chaos—Jadyn Davis. A near five-star recruit from Michigan’s 2024 class, Davis had been waiting for his shot. And according to Darren Talks Ball, the competition might be a lot closer than people think.
“If you think that Jadyn Davis can’t compete with a more experienced guy like Mikey Keene, you may be wrong,” Darren explained in his March 11 YouTube video. “There’s a lot of hype around Keene—people love that he’s experienced, that he looked good against Michigan at times last season. But Jadyn Davis isn’t just going to roll over. He’s a competitor, and he has a real shot at pushing for the QB1 job.”
Keene, of course, has the stats to back up his case. His 70.5% completion rate for 2,892 yards last season is nothing to scoff at. But there’s a major factor to consider—the difference in competition level. Keene thrived in a Group of Five conference, but the Power Five is a different beast entirely. Can he handle the step up?
Meanwhile, Davis is still an unknown at the college level. He hasn’t taken a snap yet, making it tough to gauge where he truly stands. But in a program where everything is up for grabs, he shouldn’t be counted out just yet.
Bryce Underwood: The $12M Gamble That Must Pay Off
Then there’s Underwood—the crown jewel of Michigan’s recruiting class and the guy who’s supposed to be the future. But with $12 million riding on his name, is he worth the investment?
Moore knew the risks when he signed him, especially with the House v. NCAA settlement looming and financial uncertainty surrounding NIL deals. But the hefty price tag wasn’t just about securing talent—it was about keeping rival programs from poaching him. Now, Underwood must prove he’s worth every penny.
The stakes couldn’t be higher, and Moore made that clear when discussing the quarterback room:
“You just want to make sure you have enough guys in the room who can push each other. A big thing when we recruited Bryce was, ‘Who’s going to push me? Who’s going to make me better?’ All his life, he’s been pushed to be better. He doesn’t want anything handed to him. It’s open competition. Nobody’s promised to start—he has to earn it.”
So, will the massive investment in Underwood pay off? Or will Davis, the forgotten five-star, or Keene, the proven veteran, steal the spotlight?
QB1 Showdown: Who Will Emerge as Michigan’s Leader?
With spring practice in full swing, Michigan fans are in for a thrilling battle. Three quarterbacks. One starting job. Who will rise to the occasion?
- Will Underwood live up to the hype and cement himself as the future of Michigan football?
- Can Keene prove that experience outweighs raw talent?
- Is Jadyn Davis the dark horse no one saw coming?
One thing is certain—Sherrone Moore is demanding the best from his quarterbacks. The competition is wide open, and as the Wolverines inch closer to the 2025 season, the QB battle in Ann Arbor is just getting started.
