Michigan taps Davis Warren as starting QB against Fresno State

The surprising victor of Michigan  offseason quarterback battle was Davis Warren, a former walk-on who had survived cancer. Warren started the team’s opening game against Fresno State on Saturday, the home team of the defending national champions.

In recent weeks, sophomore Alex Orji and senior Los Angeles native Warren have been vying for the starting position. Jack Tuttle, a senior in his seventh year, was also a candidate until an injury sustained during camp.

Michigan’s first ownership Warren started the game as quarterback on Saturday, but Orji finished it with a 3-yard touchdown throw to Donovan Edwards.

https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/41074764

The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Warren appeared in three games last season and had five pass attempts; he played in five games in 2022. Warren entered Saturday’s game with 14 career pass attempts for 89 yards and an interception.

Warren was a decorated recruit until being diagnosed with leukemia in March 2019, when he was a sophomore. Warren went through chemotherapy and returned to play four games during the 2019 season. His senior season in 2020 was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Michigan used Orji as a changeup quarterback for running situations in 2023, behind starter J.J. McCarthy, an NFL first-round draft pick in April.