It took longer than some expected, but Michigan football landed a veteran QB in the transfer portal earlier this week in Mikey Keene. The former Fresno State signal-caller was named as an honorable mention All-Mountain West selection each of the past two seasons. He spent his first two years with UCF and has one season of eligibility remaining.
Transfer QB Mikey Keene’s Potential at Michigan
Keene enters Ann Arbor with over 8,000 passing yards and 65 touchdowns to his name. His worst season in terms of quarterback rating (QBR) came as a freshman, and it was a 133.2. In 2024 Keene completed 70 percent of his passes for 2,892 yards, 18 touchdowns and a career-high 11 interceptions.
Keene will be in the same quarterback room as the No. 1 recruit from the class of 2025 in Bryce Underwood. If Keene goes on to win the starting job and has success, Underwood would likely benefit from extra time to observe. Should Underwood be named QB1, Keene would be a great person to have behind him.
Before Underwood committed, the quarterback position was a grave concern for the Wolverines. Just over a month later, Michigan can feel confident in its QB situation.
What Does the Film Show?
Keene isn’t known as a running QB, but he has an above average ability to extend plays with his feet and deliver the ball with accuracy. At 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds, he moves with quickness in the pocket as well. He doesn’t have elite arm strength, but he showed nice touch and ball-placement on several deep throws.
Since Keene has the ability to move, new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey won’t need two completely different gameplans for him and Underwood. This would be much different than 2024, wherein Davis Warren and Alex Orji had opposite skill sets.
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