Huge Sophomore May Be The Next Michigan Football Quarterback

HOUSTON — We’ve talked a lot about the Michigan football quarterback room this fall, though the only QB battle that has happened since Cade McNamara left Ann Arbor was for the backup QB role. Heading into next year, however, Michigan may be without JJ McCarthy, and it sounds like sophomore quarterback Jayden Denegal could be a contender for the QB1 spot, per the latest buzz from quarterbacks coach Kirk Campbell.

Michigan football quarterback Jayden Denegal creating major buzz

Who will be Michigan’s next quarterback when JJ McCarthy leaves? That’s a great question for after the season; however, Kirk Campbell gave some interesting insight into his QB room today that has heads turning about sophomore Jayden Denegal.

“Jayden Denegal might be the most improved player on the entire roster,” Campbell said on Saturday ahead of Monday’s National Championship Game in Houston, TX. “Great accuracy — huge future for him.”

Jayden Denegal throws his first career touchdown pass to Peyton O’Leary.
45-0 Michigan pic.twitter.com/Jktm1RkerZ

— Due# (@JDue51) October 1, 2023

Kirk Campbell hinting at next Michigan QB?

Of course, other quarterbacks — such as Alex Orji and even freshman Jayden Davis — will be in the mix for the QB1 role next fall; however, the fact that Michigan football was not pushing very hard for a quarterback in the transfer portal was a bit telling. Right now, it seems that U-M feels confident that either JJ McCarthy will stay in 2024 or someone behind McCarthy could be the next man up.

While Jayden Denegal was not given tons of reps this fall, he was still impressive, and it sounds like he may have his chance to be Michigan’s next quarterback. This season, the 6-foot-5, 235+ pound sophomore signal-caller completed 80 percent of his passes for 50 yards and a touchdown; come spring ball, expect Denegal to be a major player for the QB1 role if he sticks around after the 2023-24 season.

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