BREAKING NEWS: Jayden Denegal is compared with Michigan Offensive Coordinator today.
Ben Roethlisberger is compared to Jayden Denegal by Michigan OC.
It will take some time to determine Michigan’s starting quarterback in 2024, but Jayden Denegal, a redshirt sophomore, shouldn’t be written off.
Kirk Campbell, the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, feels that Denegal, who finished the previous season 4-for-5 with a touchdown pass, was the most improved offensive player.
“He was, in my opinion, the most improved offensive player,” Campbell stated during an interview with Jon Jansen on In the Trenches. “From my experience as an analyst, I was able to leave my mark on him, shaping and growing him in some ways. He has come a long way in the past year.
According to Campbell, Denegal still needs to get faster on his feet since he takes a little too long to descend.
Campbell explained that he was “speeding up his feet so he can speed up getting rid of the football.” “He makes excellent decisions, has excellent knowledge and comprehension, and is really accurate. All we have to do is slightly increase his processor’s speed.
“He was the most improved offensive player, in my opinion,” Campbell said in an In the Trenches interview with Jon Jansen. I was able to make an impression on him through my experience as an analyst, helping to mold and develop him in some areas. It’s been a year since he last changed.
Campbell claims that Denegal still has to improve his gait because he descends a little too slowly.
“Speeding up his feet so he can speed up getting rid of the football,” Campbell clarified. “He is highly accurate, possesses exceptional knowledge and comprehension, and makes outstanding conclusions. All we need to do is speed up his processing a little bit.
The 6-foot-5, 235-pound Denegal was compared by Campbell to a physical quarterback who was a Miami (Ohio) player before going on to win two Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“The biggest issue with Denny is his size. He’s going to be a live-action touchdown machine, shattering tackles like a Ben Roethlisberger,” Campbell said. Something might not appear attractive in the game, even though it might look that way in practice. He brushes it aside, thinking it’s simply an arm crossing his chest. We are aware of this, and in order to evaluate if he can demonstrate such skills, we need to place him in scenarios akin to games.
During his final season at Apple Valley High School in California, Denegal amassed 47 carries for 281 yards and eight rushing touchdowns, demonstrating his talent for carrying the ball.
Regarding Denegal in 2021, former head coach Jim Harbaugh remarked, “Great stature as a quarterback.” “Very lean and has excellent ball throwing ability. Very very athletic.
In other words, Denegal may be a dual-threat quarterback for the Wolverines who gains extra yards by scumbling when a play goes awry, so don’t let his size fool you. Though he will face competition from players like Alex Orji, Jadyn Davis, and Davis Warren for the starting job, he currently has the best chance of being Michigan’s quarterback of choice.
