3 most intriguing position battles at Sherrone Moore and Michigan's fall camp

Defending champions Michigan Wolverines can't rest on their laurels in 2024. After all, coach Jim Harbaugh and a significant number of last season's stars have moved on to the NFL.

While most of the starting positions in Michigan's first 22 players are all but guaranteed, there are still some fall-camp mysteries. Here are three intriguing position battles in Michigan's fall camp.

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Three most intriguing position battles at Michigan's fall camp

Michigan QB Alex Orji is athletic but unexperienced as he battles for the starting QB nod. (Photo credit: IMAGN)

#1 Quarterback

Replacing title-winning QB JJ McCarthy would be a challenge under any circumstances. But it's unclear who will draw the starting assignment under center to open Michigan's season.

The veteran hand here is senior transfer Jack Tuttle, who played 15 games at Indiana, with 901 career passing yards and five touchdowns against seven interceptions.

The athletic hand is junior Alex Orji, who played nine games and rushed for 123 yards in the past two seasons but hasn't thrown a collegiate pass. Davis Warren came in as a walk-on, but the junior has some experience as well.

The most likely scenario is that Tuttle gets the first nod, but Orji could play some in week one with an aim toward eventually supplanting Tuttle as the starting QB.

#2 Right tackle

While Michigan stands to return three starting offensive linemen, one of the spots that's open is right tackle. A year ago, Karsen Barnhart manned the spot, but he's out of eligibility now. The most likely suspects here are sophomore Andrew Gentry and senior Jeffrey Persi.

Persi started a game last year, and both players saw some snaps. Persi is looking to move outside from a guard spot, while Gentry is a six-foot-seven, 327 pound mountain on the edge.

In this battle between the marginally more experienced Persi and the higher upside Gentry, it seems like youth could win. Look for both to play, but Gentry to get the RT starting nod.

#3 Cornerback

Will Johnson has one starting spot locked down; in fact, he might be the best pure cornerback in the nation. But the other spot is open after Josh Wallace finished his eligibility.

Redshirt freshman Jyaire Hill is the long-term pick. He had eight tackles without burning his redshirt last season. Meanwhile, veteran transfers cloud the mix. Aamir Hall from Albany could see time, as could Ricky Johnson from UNLV.

Hill is the standout talent, and if he's not the day-one starter, he's highly likely to be the end-of-the-year starter. Look for everyone involved to see some opportunity, as could a few other freshmen.

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Which UM position battles will you be watching as fall camp unfolds? Share your thoughts and observations below in the commens section: