For decades, Michigan football was known as the program that churned out elite quarterbacks, and while that took a brief hiatus during the changeover from Lloyd Carr to Rich Rodriguez and again at the outset of the Jim Harbaugh era, the Wolverines have had some really good ones come through Ann Arbor.
Though the formula has not been quite the same as those who run a pass-happy offense like an air raid, Michigan’s pro-style system has stood the test of time. And even when the maize and blue deviated from the formula, it’s managed to have elite talent at the position that’s wowed fans across the country.
Looking back to 2023, here are the best quarterbacks to come through Ann Arbor over the past 20 years.
10
Ryan Mallett
AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh
Though he only played for one season in Ann Arbor, Mallett was thought to be the future and was cast into the fire earlier than expected when Chad Henne was battling injury. The best quarterback recruit to ever come to Michigan, Mallett performed admirably given the circumstances but transferred to Arkansas in his second year. Sadly, he passed away during the summer of 2023.
9
Devin Gardner
Photo: Isaiah Hole
It’s a shame that we have to rank Gardner so low and it’s not because he wasn’t talented enough. Gardner played behind what might be the worst Michigan football offensive line of all time and even when he did get adequate protection, he was clearly shell-shocked. An elite player and former five-star, if Gardner played in any other time, in any other era, he would have likely gone on to be one of the best to wear a winged helmet.
Gardner is responsible for the two most prolific passing games in Wolverine history.
8
Wilton Speight
Photo: Isaiah Hole
Though Michigan football fans were eagerly awaiting Brandon Peters to take the helm (or…
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