Quarterback battles are heating up in the Big Ten as teams prepare for the upcoming college football season. With transfers and injuries shaking up the depth charts, several teams are facing uncertainty at the most important position on the field.
Defending national champion Michigan is entering preseason practice with a three-man competition to replace J.J. McCarthy. Alex Orji and Davis Warren were the starters in the spring game, with Jack Tuttle recovering from an injury and granted a seventh year of eligibility.
Ohio State is looking to fill the void left by Kyle McCord, who transferred to Syracuse. Kansas State transfer Will Howard and Devin Brown are the front-runners for the Buckeyes’ starting job.
Iowa and Northwestern are dealing with challenges of their own, as injuries and transfers have impacted their quarterback situations. Cade McNamara of Iowa is recovering from a knee injury, while Northwestern saw their 2023 starter Brendan Sullivan enter the transfer portal.
Other teams like Maryland, Rutgers, and Wisconsin are also in the midst of quarterback battles as they look to solidify their starting lineup for the upcoming season.
Injuries have also played a role in the spring practices, with notable players like Michigan’s Rod Moore and Iowa’s Luke Lachey dealing with significant setbacks. Penn State, Rutgers, and Wisconsin are also managing injuries to key players as they prepare for the fall.
As the competition heats up and the season approaches, fans can expect to see some exciting matchups and new faces leading their teams on the field. Stay tuned for more updates as teams finalize their quarterback decisions in the coming weeks.