5 takeaways from the Michigan spring game after Sherrone Moore takes charge in 2024

The Michigan spring game concludes the end of the beginning of a new era in UM football. The Wolverines are defending champions, the Jim Harbaugh era has given way to the Sherrone Moore era, and much has changed.

On a day where Maize bested Blue 17-7, there were plenty of talking points that emerged from the Michigan camp.

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Donavon Edwards' form, and 4 other takeaways from Michigan spring game 2024

Donovan Edwards looked ready for the position of top running back after he played well in the Michigan spring game on Saturday.

5. More from Moore?

No, we're not talking about head coach Sherrone Moore. Wide receiver Fredrick Moore had a couple of significant catches late in the Michigan spring game action. That could propel him to more time on a team that lost its top two receivers, Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson.

Moore made a 28-yard grab of a Jayden Denegal pass that should have set up a field goal just before the end of the half. The kick was subsequently missed. But in the fourth quarter, he hauled in a 48-yard score from Davis Warren to cap the day's scoring. Moore's spring game work suggests he can help solve Michigan's skill position concerns.

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4. Kicking issues

One concern UM has is the team's consistent gaffes. Returning punter Tommy Doman punted three times with an average of just 31.3 yards per kick. Placekicker Adam Samaha hit a 31-yard field goal but subsequently missed a second kick from just 30 yards out.

Admittedly, the weather wasn't necessarily ideal, but Michigan has to do better kicking the ball than it did in the Michigan spring game situations. Given the massive roster turnover UM is facing, they might need more competency in either the punting or place kicking role.

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3. Donovan Edwards might be ready

It's always a risk to draw too many conclusions from a spring game, but the solid play of Donovan Edwards was a big takeaway from the Michigan spring game action. Edwards rushed for nearly 1,000 yards in 2022, but was held to 497 yards in 2023. Questions have abounded about whether he can emerge as a true feature back for Michigan.

Edwards played only briefly before exiting the Michigan spring game action. But while he was on the field, he carried the ball five times for 33 yards. That may not sound like much, but the rest of the UM ball carriers finished the game with 48 carries for 105 yards. Edwards looked smooth, confident, and ready to be RB1.

2. Offensive line MIA

It's hard to be conclusive about the performance of Michigan's offensive line because a good chunk of that line stayed on the sidelines. Returnees Myles Hinton and Giovanni El-Hadi both sat, as did incoming transfer Josh Priebe.

On the whole, the offensive line that did play wasn't phenomenal. Maize averaged 2.7 yards per carry while Blue had 2.5. Five sacks were allowed between the two teams, who had a total of 38 pass attempts between them.

Given the loss of so many big-name performers at skill positions, UM has to get better production from its offensive line this fall.

1. Davis Warren made a statement

Michigan's QB job is up for grabs after JJ McCarthy's departure to the NFL. Many have expected athletic standout Alex Orji to claim the job. But Saturday's spring game became a showcase for Davis Warren.

The senior has thrown just 14 passes in his UM career. But he rallied the Maize offense with a sharp fourth-quarter performance. Warren finished 6 for 9 passing for 136 yards and both Maize touchdowns. Meanwhile, Orji was not better than so-so. He was 13 for 18 for just 103 yards.

The spring game is ultimately just another practice. But it would be hard to conclude that Davis Warren didn't make a strong statement Saturday about his possibility as a starter to open Michigan's season.

Can Davis Warren grab Michigan's starting QB job in 2024? We'd like to hear your thoughts below in our comments section.