The Michigan Wolverines’ struggles on offense have been deliberated about laboriously at this point. Issues which stem from that absolute carousel they had going under centre and branch out to the wide receiving corp. A personified beacon of hope does shine light over the Big House in Bryce Underwood. However, bestowing the weight of a program of this stature on a freshman QB is a gamble. In order to subvert a portion of this gamble, Sherrone Moore is looking to spread his chips around a little.

In order to bridge the gap between experience and potency, Michigan have eyed USC Trojans quarterback Miller Moss. The redshirt junior has entered the transfer portal and offers a great incentive for Sherrone Moore- a potential stop-gap solution till the time Underwood learns the ropes. It appears this isn’t the only benefit to onboarding Moss. According to On3’s transfer portal expert Pete Nakos, Miller Moss will bring along friends to his new destination. Landing Moss could curb the Wolverines’ double-barreled issues. But their path to obtaining him isn’t linear.

Discussing the latest developments in Miller Moss’ portal affairs on the On3 Recruits YouTube channel, Pete Nakos said, “Miller Moss is expected at Missouri and Louisville this week. He’ll be at Louisville [on] Wednesday night. Visit will start Thursday. Sources have continued to tell me that there is a possibility that wherever Miller Moss lands, a USC package could follow him. That could include a couple wide receivers. That’s all I’m willing to share at this point. We’ll see more once he makes a decision, and see how that comes together. But [the package deal] has been talked about behind the scenes.”

This would appear to be a dreamy concoction of solutions for Sherrone Moore. Not only does it afford him a cushion at the quarterback spot, but it also potentially resolves his issues more holistically. It is not yet conspicuous who these wide receivers “packaged” with Miller Moss are. However, a pair of pass catchers with pre-existing relationships with the quarterback is a valuable addition under any circumstance. 

Pete Nakos has outwardly name-dropped Michigan as suitors in the reckoning for Miller Moss. They do not seem to be at the forefront of the race, though. With only one year of college eligibility left, Moss is faced with a decision. He can either go to a school where he’ll be a certain starter, at least in week one. Or he can bet on himself and go to Michigan, where he’ll have to contend for a spot with the no.1 recruit in the country. It begins to become apparent why this ordeal is perhaps too good to be true for the Wolverines. Plus, there’s another deterrent. 

Reason for the Wolverines’ flailing pursuit of Miller Moss is multi-faceted

Moss began the 2024 season as QB1 for USC. A 4-5 start meant Lincoln Riley opted to bench him in favor of sophomore Jayden Maiava, who joined the Trojans from UNLV. Before being demoted, Moss garnered a 64.4 per cent completion rate, 2,555 air yards, 20 total touchdowns and 9 picks. It is irrefutable that Moss is a starting-caliber QB who’ll enhance most FBS offenses. It’s worth reiterating that Miller Moss produced these numbers under arguably the best “quarterback whisperer” across the sport in Lincoln Riley. This converges into a huge issue for Michigan’s ability to lure Moss to Ann Arbor.

Set aside a quarterback whisperer- Michigan don’t have a whisperer, period. The program has a vacancy in the offensive coordinator capacity. Winning their rivalry game at The Shoe in Columbus saved face for a bunch of Wolverines. Sherrone Moore needed this boost more than he could’ve explicitly owned up to. But it didn’t save the now-excommunicated Kirk Campbell. 

Michigan has not yet announced a new OC. This uncertainty around the playcaller doesn’t help them. Convincing Moss and other portal targets, such as KC Concepcion, to come on board has inadvertently become more challenging. With his visit to Louisiana looming, Miller Moss’ recruitment is a time trial for Michigan. They will have to move with urgency on either front- players as well as coaching staff. One season of 7-5 football can be dismissed as growing pains under a first-year HC. Fans will not absolve Sherrone Moore of another season of mediocrity.