Michigan football: Wolverines have an early leader at quarterback in spring practice
By John Buhler
The Michigan football team has an early leader in its starting quarterback position battle.
It may only be the middle of April, but there is an early leader in the clubhouse when it comes to who could end up winning the starting quarterback battle for the Michigan football team.
Cade McNamara has made the most of the opportunities afforded to him with Joe Milton transferring out. He is the most seasoned signal-caller in the Wolverines program with Milton and Dylan McCaffrey transferring in the last two offseasons. With Texas Tech transfer Alan Bowman yet to arrive and five-star J.J. McCarthy in his first semester on campus, McNamara is in the lead.
“Cade’s experience, the players believe in him, his leadership,” said offensive coordinator Josh Gattis. “He has a tremendous understanding of the offense. He’s a leader. He moves the ball for the team, he moves the ball for offense and he takes control and command.”
“But he’s still only played in (a few) games. He hasn’t played a ton of football. He gives you the feeling of a returning starter, but he hasn’t played a ton of football, so there’s still a lot left to be desired as far as game scenarios that he needs to face.”
Michigan football: Does Cade McNamara end up winning the starting job?
This feels like a three-man race up in Ann Arbor. McNamara is the most well-entrenched player at Michigan and does have some starting experience in Gattis’ offense. Bowman has ample starting experience in the Power 5, but that came in the Big 12 with Texas Tech and is not with the Wolverines yet. McCarthy is the most talented of the trio, but he is only a true freshman in 2021.
Ultimately, this quarterback position battle is going to come down to the wire. There are pathways where each signal-caller could win the starting job. If nobody rises to the occasion, it will probably go to McCarthy because he has the highest upside of the trio. Should Bowman be able to make an immediate impact upon arrival, maybe it is him? As for McNamara, he is in the early driver’s seat.
Keep an eye on the Michigan quarterback battle throughout the spring and well into fall camp.
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