Over the past two days, it has become very clear how newly minted Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh would like to build his program.
That starts at the quarterback position.
With limited time to recruit the class, Harbaugh spent much of his time recruiting four-star quarterback Zach Gentry who, given that Harbaugh said he will hold an open competition at quarterback, could start for the Wolverines this fall. Michigan also signed quarterback Alex Malzone on Wednesday’s National Signing Day.
But Harbaugh wasn’t done.
Thursday, Houston quarterback John O’Korn announced that he would be transferring to Michigan via Twitter. O’Korn started 16 games for the Cougars before losing his job after the first five games of last season. O’Korn will sit out the upcoming season. Beginning in 2016, he will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Junior Shane Morris is the only quarterback with starting experience returning for the Wolverines. Morris was the centerpiece of a concussion controversy at Michigan this past season that led to the university adopting new protocols for head injuries.
Morris is a Hoke recruit, which may give Gentry and Malzone an edge in the quarterback competition that is set to start this spring. When given the chance, newly hired coaches generally like to start their recruits when possible.
And considering this is Harbaugh’s first class, that may mean starting true freshmen.
With the understanding that he couldn’t, per NCAA rules, be a part of the upcoming quarterback competition, O’Korn’s decision to transfer is one to question. If Gentry or Malzone start as true freshman and play well, it’s assured they’ll play again as sophomores. Harbaugh wouldn’t want to interrupt their development even in favor of a quarterback with more experience.
Nonetheless without a clear-cut starter heading into the 2015 season and beyond, Harbaugh has done well to create competition for the spot.
Email: sgruen@suntimes.com
Twitter: @SethGruen