Michigan Spring Game 2024: 5 storylines to watch out for during annual practice event
A new season of Michigan Wolverines football has begun, and the new-look team will be on display during the 2024 spring game.
The Michigan spring game takes place on Saturday, Apr. 20, with kickoff scheduled for 12 p.m. The Wolverines are coming off a successful season as the College Football Playoff title winners and will look to replicate that success this season.
Their journey to repeating as national champions begins here as the team prepares to preview what they've been working on prior to the upcoming season. Here's a look at the five storylines to watch out for in Michigan's 2024 annual spring game.
Also Read: Top 5 Michigan players going into the 2024 NFL Draft
What to watch for in Michigan Wolverines spring game 2024?
#1 New coach
Michigan is preparing for a new era after the departure of former coach Jim Harbaugh. He made his move to the NFL as the coach of the Los Angeles Chargers after nine seasons in charge of the Wolverines.
Sherrone Moore takes over as the coach of the Wolverines after being promoted from Michigan's offensive coordinator and offensive line coach.
Moore served as the acting coach for the team's third game last season and beat Bowling Green 31-6.
#2 New starting quarterback
With last year's starting quarterback, JJ McCarthy, headed to the NFL draft, it opens the door for a new quarterback to take over the reigns at quarterback for the Wolverines.
Offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell said in March that the quarterback competition would be between Alex Orji, Jayden Denegal, Jadyn Davis, Jack Tuttle and Davis Warren.
Junior Alex Orji seems to have seperated himself from the rest of the quarterbacks competing for the starting job. However, the spring game presents an opportunity for the other competing quarterbacks to show why they deserve the starting job this season.
#3 New players on offense
The attention will also be on which skill-position players can step up and handle an elevated role this season.
The Wolverines will be losing players like Blake Corum, Roman Wilson, Cornelius Johnson and AJ Barner. Each of these players played a key role in Michigan's run as national champions last season.
Now, the focus will shift to the players next in line to lead the way for the Michigan offense this season. Running back Donovan Edwards is returning for another season and has proven that he has the skill to lead the backfield as their top back.
The receiving core will be a major focus for the upcoming season and who can step up to fill the role of the players that have departed from last season.
Tight end Colston Loveland returns for another season and will likely be at the top of the list in terms of pass-catching threats for the Wolverines.
#4 Offensive line shakeup
Michigan's offensive line will look much different this season after losing their top-six offensive linemen from last year.
Now the Wolverines will have to see where the new offensive linemen best fit and potentially move some of them around to see if they can play at other offensive line positions as well.
This spring game should give Michigan an idea of their depth at the offensive lineman position as well. Some starting linemen may opt to sit out of the game on Saturday and allow the backups to get more snaps.
As a result, the coaching staff can see how the younger, less experienced players perform behind the starters if they need to rely on their depth later in the season.
#5 Playcalling
With last season's offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore taking over as coach, Kirk Campbell will be the new offensive coordinator for Michigan this season. Campbell will move to offensive coordinator after spending last season as Michigan's quarterback coach.
Campbell takes over with a very new-looking team on the offensive side of the ball as well. A new starting quarterback will take over, and the receiving core suffered some big losses from the prior season.
This game will be a preview of Campbell's ability to call plays and manage the offense that features many new pieces at the offensive line and skill positions.
Do you think Michigan can return to the College Football Playoff this season? Let's know in the comments section below.
Also Read: Top 10 college football players available in the spring transfer portal ft. Cormani McClain