It's by far the most important position in football these days, and maybe even more so in the college game. We're of course talking about the quarterback position. To have a chance to do some really special things, having a guy under center as a difference maker is a necessity.
Michigan had a guy that fits that bill in JJ McCarthy last season and rode that and a stellar defense all the way to a national championship. McCarthy is off to the NFL however, and new head coach Sherrone Moore is busy trying to find a replacement. There are options, but at this point, it's a pretty competitive race between three guys. Junior Alex Orji, graduate student Jack Tuttle, and senior Davis Warren are all vying to be the face of the team this season.
However, Moore isn't ready to name a starter, not yet anyway. He was asked about where things stand with the quarterback situation and what timetable he's looking at, and he gave an answer that you'd probably expect, without a whole lot of insight. Still, it was notable to hear where things stand.
"They all have the attributes you need to be a successful starting quarterback at the University of Michigan," Moore said. "The No. 1 thing we’re looking for out of any guy that’s our quarterback is they’re a playmaker; they make plays, they’ll make the right decision, they’ll take care of the football and they want to win.
"The ideal timeline is when we feel like we’ve got the guy who will help us win, There’s not a date, not a time. We will have a feel as a staff. ... (Offensive coordinator) Kirk Campbell is a phenomenal coach. … He will make a great decision and we will be there to make it together."
At this point, you have to think that it's highly possible that one of the three won't separate themselves by the time the season kicks off. If that's the case, Moore and staff may have to do a little soul-searching and pick the guy they believe gives the team the best chance to win. That, or might we be looking at a timeshare situation well into the season?
I guess we'll keep an eye on how things go in the fall.