Michigan is coming off its first national championship since 1997.
This year’s spring game is going to be a new beginning for the program. Jim Harbaugh left to take the same job with the Los Angeles Chargers. J.J. McCarthy, Blake Corum and a potential record-setting NFL Draft class are gone.
Now, Sherrone Moore takes over the program. Moore led the Wolverines to victories against Penn State, Maryland and Ohio State last season while Harbaugh served a three-game suspension, and the Wolverines still have several playmakers from last year’s roster.
Yet there are questions, starting with quarterback. Who takes over for McCarthy – who compiled a 27-1 record as the starter the last two seasons? Will Donovan Edwards break out with Corum gone? How good will the defense be after a memorable 20203 season?
The Michigan spring game is 12 p.m. ET Saturday at Michigan Stadium. The game will be televised on Fox.
A preview of this year’s game with all the need-to-know information.
MORE: Ranking the Big Ten quarterbacks for 2024 | SEC QBs | ACC QBs
When is Michigan’s spring game?
- Time: 12 p.m. ET
- Date: Saturday, April 20
- Place: Michigan Stadium
How to watch Michigan spring game
The Michigan spring game will be televised by Fox and be streamed on the Fox Sports app and any service that offers Fox, such as YouTubeTV, Hulu Live and Fubo TV.
Michigan spring game format
Details of the Maize and Blue game format have not been revealed, but it is typically a four-quarter live scrimmage. This year’s event is open to the public.
Three things to watch in Michigan’s spring game
Who is Michigan’s starting QB in 2024?
McCarthy leaves the largest void. He passed for 6,226 yards, 49 TDs and 11 interceptions in his three-year career, and leaves a legacy as a program legend.
Spring practices have not been open to the media, so this will be a first look at Alex Orji, who has been used in Wildcat packages the last two seasons and has yet to throw a pass. Orji – at 6-3 and 236 pounds – will likely get the first shot at the starting job. Jack Tuttle, a seventh-year senior who was the backup last season – also will have a chance along with sophomore Jayden Denegal. Jadyn Davis, a four-star freshman – also is on the roster.
It is a lot for new offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell to sort out, and the question remains whether the Wolverines will dip into the spring portal for an option. The performances of these quarterbacks in Saturday’s game will be an indicator.
MORE: Projecting where JJ McCarthy will go in NFL Draft
Who are Michigan’s skill-position playmakers in 2024?
Leading rusher Blake Corum and receivers Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson are also off to the NFL, and that leaves an opportunity for some playmakers to step up.
Donovan Edwards will be the lead back in 2024. Edwards struggled at times in 2023, but he closed with a 104-yard, two-TD performance in the CFP championship game against Washington. Kalel Mullings is a reliable backup in line for an increased role in the offense.
Colston Loveland returns at tight end. Loveland had 45 catches for 649 yards and four TDs last season and has a chance to be the best tight end in the FBS. Semaj Morgan (5-10, 176) and Tyler Morris (5-11, 185) are in line for expanded roles in the offense, but who will be the big-body target? Keep an eye on Fredrick Moore (6-1, 180), Peyton O’Leary (6-3, 200) and Kendrick Bell (6-2, 180) – the brother of former Michigan standout Ronnie Bell.
The Wink Martindale effect on the defense
Martindale – who spent the last 20 seasons in the NFL as a defensive assistant and coordinator – is back in the college game. There is a high bar considering the last three seasons with Mike Macdonald – now the Seattle Seahawks coach – and Jesse Minter – who followed Harbaugh to Los Angeles.
Michigan defense (2021-23)
| YEAR | PPG | RANK | TOTAL YARDS | RANK |
| 2023 | 10.4 | 1 | 247.0 | 1 |
| 2022 | 16.1 | 7 | 292.1 | 6 |
| 2021 | 17.4 | 8 | 330.4 | 18 |
That is one of the best defenses in college football history, and there is talent coming back. Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant are the best interior defensive tackle tandem in the Big Ten – and maybe the nation – and Maryland transfer linebacker Jaishawn Barham is an impact starter. The front seven will be solid but not as deep as last season.
Cornerback Will Johnson – a projected first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft – leads the secondary. Safety Rod Moore suffered a torn ACL in spring practice – which is a serious blow. That is a position where Michigan might seek help in the spring portal.
Michigan freshmen to watch in spring game
Jadyn Davis, QB
Davis – a four-star recruit from Providence (Charlotte) High School – will be one of the main attractions of the spring game. The 6-foot-1, 203-pound quarterback had 86 TDs and 15 interceptions the last two seasons. Michigan was able to develop McCarthy for a year, but this is a program that started highly-touted freshmen such as Chad Henne, Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson in the past.
Blake Frazier, T
The four-star tackle from Vandegrift (Austin, Texas) High School was another get for the Wolverines. The 6-foot-6, 275-pound senior is wearing No. 77 – which was the jersey number for program legends Jon Jansen, Jake Long and Taylor Lewan. Frazier could work into the two-deep with a strong fall camp.
Jeremiah Beasley, LB
Beasley – a four-star linebacker from Belleville (Mich.) High School – was a running back and linebacker in high school, and he totaled 893 rushing yards and 14 TDs and 120 total tackles as a senior. The Wolverines lost Michael Barrett and Junior Colson to the NFL, so there is an opportunity to move up the depth chart.
