Michigan Wolverines Football: End of Year Offensive Grades for 2024

The Michigan Wolverines finished the 2024 season seventh in the Big Ten. It’s safe to say that the season didn’t go as expected. However, they found themselves with wins in all their rivalry games, and beat two top-15 teams in Alabama and Ohio State.

The season was shrouded by offensive ineptitude, mainly regarding the passing offense. Michigan used three different starting quarterbacks, and they finished with the fifth-worst passing offense in all of FBS by passing yards per game, only ahead of Iowa and the service academies. 

How does each Michigan offensive starter grade out this season? Let’s dive in.

Michigan Wolverines Offensive Grades

Quarterbacks: D-

Davis Warren: D+

To the surprise of many fans, Davis Warren won the offseason quarterback battle. In his first three weeks before getting benched, he threw just two touchdowns to six interceptions and averaged only 148 passing yards per game.

Warren was benched after three games, but came back as the starter versus Michigan State and remained the starter for the rest of the season. During that stretch, Warren showed massive improvement. He improved his ball security and kept the Michigan offense on the field in a way he didn’t early in the season. With five passing touchdowns and three interceptions in eight games, he wasn’t sensational. However, he provided the highest level of play any Michigan quarterback had given all season.

Versus Ohio State, Warren converted multiple critical third downs to keep drives going and get the Wolverines into scoring position. Warren announced that he would return for the 2025 season, but unfortunately, he tore his ACL in the Alabama game. He would have added an interesting element to the off-season quarterback battle, but in the 2024 season, he was lackluster.

Alex Orji: D-

Alex Orji was thrust into the starting job against USC and remained the starting quarterback before being benched early in the Washington game. However, before being thrown into the starting role, Orji was used as a running quarterback in special packages to add more depth to the running game.

In Orji’s three games as a starter, he threw just one touchdown and one interception. Orji’s limitations as a passer held back the offense, but his ability as a runner kept the rushing offense dynamic and efficient.

After being benched, Orji resumed his role as a rushing quarterback who came in for special packages. In the last five games of the season, he ran for 145 yards, averaging 6.6 yards per carry. That included a massive run on third down versus Ohio State to keep an essential drive going.

Orji provided a valuable rushing threat, but his limitations as a pocket passer made it easy for opposing defenses to key in on what Michigan wanted to do, knowing they couldn’t throw the ball downfield. 

Jack Tuttle: F

Jack Tuttle only played two games for Michigan, but he essentially threw the Wolverines out of those games. His costly turnovers and lack of aggression lost two important games that effectively ended their season.

Tuttle threw for only one touchdown and had two interceptions and three fumbles. Unfortunately, he decided to retire after suffering another injury versus Illinois, ending his football career. Tuttle provided important experience to the quarterback room, but his play on the field left a lot to be desired. 

Running Backs: A-

Kalel Mullings: A+

Kalel Mullings made the most of his opportunities this season. Mullings was a linebacker just three years ago and now will hear his name called as one of the top running backs taken in the 2025 NFL draft. 

Mullings began the season splitting time with Donovan Edwards, but as he looked better with each game, he began to solidify himself as Michigan’s starting running back. He would finish the season with 948 yards, 12 touchdowns, and averaged 5.1 yards per carry. Mullings could have likely finished with a better season if Michigan had a more balanced offense; and he wasn’t inexplicably removed from his role in the offense for three games late in the season. 

The running back truly shined against Ohio State with a critical run that put Michigan into field goal range to win the game. He was the offensive MVP in Michigan’s biggest game of the season, and he was often the only reason the Wolverines could find consistency on the ground and move the ball down the field.

Donovan Edwards: B-

Donovan Edwards has been a critical piece for Michigan since he arrived to the Wolverines as a freshman. He served as Blake Corum’s backfield mate for 2022 and 2023. This season, he was expected to be the next great Michigan running back. Unfortunately, he struggled to find consistency, and his vision issues showed themselves. Edwards finished the season with 672 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns. 

The running back was a steady presence and provided fans with many memorable moments, particularly in the 2022 season versus Ohio State when he iced the game with two long touchdown runs. His receiving upside was always something that felt underutilized, even when he had a prominent role in the offense – particularly in this season.

Wide Receivers: D

Semaj Morgan: D

Semaj Morgan was a standout freshman on a loaded 2023 Michigan team, where he surprisingly found significant playing time. Yet in 2024, he primarily played in the slot, totaling 27 catches for 139 receiving yards and one touchdown. Morgan struggled to gain separation, which contributed to the passing game’s inability to get going. 

Tyler Morris: C-

Tyler Morris was an under-the-radar breakout candidate in the Michigan expansive receiver room. He made some big catches in the 2023 season, and many anticipated a big follow-up year. However, he only totaled 23 catches for 248 receiving yards and two touchdowns this past season. Morris was the most productive wide receiver on the team, and led all wide receivers on the team in receiving yards. 

Frederick Moore: D

Frederick Moore came into this season buried on the depth chart, looking for an opportunity. However, he won a starting role on the offense this offseason. Moore finished the season with similar numbers to Morgan this season, totaling 11 catches for 128 yards and one touchdown.

Moore was often the fourth receiving option on most plays, but he could be a valuable weapon next season with another year of experience under his belt.

Overall, Michigan’s struggles in the passing game were just as much on the quarterbacks as they were on the wide receivers.

Tight Ends: A+

Colston Loveland: A+

Colston Loveland entered the season as one of the top tight ends in the country and a potential first-round pick. He cemented his status as one of the best tight ends in FBS and a sure-fire first-round pick.

Loveland finished the season with 56 catches, 582 yards, and five touchdowns in only 10 games. He was often Michigan’s only productive receiving weapon on offense and the only reason the passing game could find any sort of consistency.

He is PFF’s 18th-ranked prospect in the 2025 draft, and will likely be the first tight end selected. Loveland was dominant in his three years at Michigan and was an essential piece for the Wolverines National Championship team. He finished his career with 117 catches, 1466 yards, and 11 touchdowns and cemented himself as one of the great Michigan tight ends. 

Offensive Line: C

The Wolverines offensive line took a step back from previous years, facing more inconsistency with injuries, personnel, and performance than Michigan typically has. Left tackle Myles Hinton was the only player on the offensive line who saw significant playing time last season. Hinton was the team’s best offensive lineman in both pass protection and run blocking, posting a 66.4 run block grade, and only gave up one sack, according to PFF. The rest of the offensive line were new players.

Center Greg Crippen and guards Josh Priebe and Giovanni El-Hadi excelled in pass protection, only allowing three sacks and 28 pressures collectively through the season. However, they struggled in run blocking, posting a 59.5 grade by PFF.

Right tackle Evan Link struggled in his first season as a starter. He allowed two sacks and 27 pressures. Throughout the first half of the season, he posted a pass block grade on PFF below 10.0, but improved as he got more comfortable in the position. Next season, it will be essential to show he can stick as a starter on the offensive line. 

Michigan will be looking for more consistency next season on the offensive line, and with Link, Crippen, Priebe, and El-Hadi all returning, the Wolverines should see significant improvement. However, this season, they struggled with consistency. The run game was predictable, which may have caused issues with run blocking.