The prototypical quarterback controversy is a fairly common occurrence. Two quarterbacks enter preseason training camp as competitors, and one leaves as the team’s starter. The Michigan Wolverines are doing things differently.

Following its first national championship since 1997, Michigan entered the 2024 college football season as a completely new team. The Wolverines lost their head coach and 17 starters, including starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy. New head coach Sherrone Moore was immediately faced with a decision: Who should he start at quarterback?

Moore had three options. First was Jack Tuttle, who’d served well as McCarthy’s primary backup in 2023 after playing sparingly across five years with Utah and Indiana. Tuttle went 15/17 for 130 yards and a touchdown through four passing appearances during the 2023 regular season.

Alex Orji was another candidate. The 6’3, 236-pound junior appeared in six games across the 2023 regular season and playoffs without ever recording a pass attempt. Instead, Orji carried the ball 15 times for 86 yards and a touchdown.

Also in the mix was Davis Warren, who’d walked onto the team in 2021. Warren went 0/5 with an interception in three backup appearances early last season and didn’t play past September.

Warren defeated Orji in Michigan’s Spring Game and was named the starter a week before the season began. The Wolverines won two of their three non-conference games, their loss a 31-12 Week 2 defeat at the hands No. 3 Texas. 

Warren threw three interceptions and no touchdowns in Michigan’s third game, an ugly 28-18 victory over Arkansas State. Orji, who’d attempted six passes across the three games and had primarily run the ball, was called in before the Wolverines’ conference opener against USC.

Orji won that game and the next against Minnesota by twin scores of 27-24. However, he totaled only 118 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception across the two games. Orji was reduced to his former, more running-focused role before the team’s Oct. 5 game against Washington, who Michigan beat in last year’s national championship contest.

Instead of bringing back Warren, Moore chose to start Tuttle. Despite last year’s success, Tuttle struggled in back-to-back losses at the hands of Washington and No. 22-ranked Illinois. Michigan scored just seven points in each. Across the two games, Tuttle went 30/50 through the air for a touchdown and two interceptions, earning a lowly 32.4 adjusted quarterback rating.

With the team in a two-game skid, Moore made yet another change, bringing Warren back in for last week’s game against Michigan State. “Taking care of the ball, that’s going to be the No. 1 priority, the biggest thing,” said Moore before announcing Warren as the starter.

Warren had his best game of the season against the Spartans, recording 13 completions on 19 attempts, a touchdown and a season-high 83.3 QBR while leading the Wolverines to a 24-17 win over their in-state rivals. Warren did not turn the ball over, just as Moore had hoped.

Then, on Monday night, Tuttle suddenly announced his retirement over social media. The seventh-year senior cited a fifth concussion and an offseason UCL injury, telling fans, “I need to start prioritizing my health.” Tuttle stated his intent to help Michigan prepare for its remaining games and announced he’d pursue a coaching career.

Warren will likely start again when the Wolverines (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) host the No. 1-ranked Oregon Ducks (8-0, 5-0) on Saturday. Orji will likely continue his role as a runner.

The Ducks will look to capitalize on Michigan’s turbulent quarterback situation when they enter one of college football’s harshest environments on Saturday.