Michigan football wanted an experienced quarterback on the team, despite the fact that the country’s top high school recruit was already in maize and blue and was on his way to Ann Arbor for the 2025 season.
When the program announced the signing of transfer quarterback Mikey Keene on Sunday, the Wolverines received just that. Keene has participated in 39 games and completed 67.8% of his passes (793-for-1170) for 65 touchdowns and 28 interceptions. He started four seasons at UCF (2021–22) and Fresno State (2023–24).”I can’t wait to start working!” Keene wrote on social media. “Go Blue.”
In 2022, Keene’s tenure at UCF coincided with the arrival of Chip Lindsey, the Wolverines’ new offensive coordinator, who was brought in from North Carolina earlier this month. Before missing the majority of the season due to injury, Keene completed 72.3% (60-for-83) of his passes for 647 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception in four games that season.
Not only was the 5-foot-11, 200-pound signal caller well-known to U-M’snewoffensive coordinator, but the entire Michigan staff was as well, having faced him in U-M’s30-10victory over Fresno State in Week 1.The game wasn’t as lopsided as the score indicates; Will Johnson’s 86-yard pick-six helped seal the victory after the game was 16–10 in the fourth quarter. Before making that error, Keene maintained the Bulldogs in 22 of 36 (61.1%) of his passes were completed for 235 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions during the Ann Arbor game.
On Saturday, defensive coordinator Wink Martindale remarked, “I think he’s a very talented kid that’s accurate on the run.” “We hit him, so we know he’s tough. I’m thrilled he’s now a member of our team.
In 2024, Michigan’s passing offense was among the worst in the country, ranking No. 129 with 133.6 yards per game and second-to-last among Power Four teams (only surpassed by Iowa).Although head coach Sherrone Moore is excited to have Bryce Underwood join the team as a freshman, the five-star recruit won’t be 17 until mid-August, and the Wolverines will travel to play SEC team Oklahoma in Week 2. For someone who threw two interceptions against Novi Detroit Catholic Central, that is a very difficult task.
In contrast, U-M started 2024 with a number of inexperienced quarterbacks, the majority of whom have since dispersed. In addition to Alex Orji (who is available for bowl practices), Jayden Denegal transferred to San Diego State, and Jack Tuttle retired and is currently coaching for U-M.
The only players who seem likely to be holdovers are true freshman Jadyn Davis and senior Davis Warren, who has hinted that he plans to return in 2025. For this reason, U-M has added Keene, whom Martindale mockingly likened to a current NFL quarterback, in addition to Underwood.
I refer to him as Kyler Murray for broke men.
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