Jack Tuttle leaning on years of experience as he transitions to likely starter

Jack Tuttle expected to finish his college football career as a backup. 

After one season at Utah and four at Indiana, the now-graduate quarterback chose to join the Michigan football team ahead of last season — for what he thought was his final year of eligibility. He knew he’d sit behind former Wolverines star quarterback J.J. McCarthy, and he was okay with that.

“I just kind of sold out my career for (Michigan),” Tuttle said Tuesday. “I didn’t know I had another year. … I came here to be the backup to J.J., and that’s what happened. And blessed to get granted another year. So as soon as I found that out, I was bent on coming back and trying to get an opportunity and get healthy and play for the University of Michigan.”

Granted a medical redshirt before this season and finally taken off the injury report entering the weekend, Tuttle got that first opportunity on Saturday. He took over for junior quarterback Alex Orji following an uninspiring start against Washington. Tuttle provided an immediate spark but later fizzled out, committing two crushing turnovers toward the end of the Wolverines’ disheartening loss.

Despite those hiccups, all signs point toward the seventh-year veteran retaining the starting spot following this weekend’s bye. Now the third quarterback to lead Michigan’s offense through just six games, Tuttle is leaning on his experience to make the transition from backup to starter as seamless as possible.

“Tut is a guy with a lot of knowledge,” graduate safety Quentin Johnson said. “And if his primary read’s not there, he knows how to go through his reads. He knows when to force the ball, where to put the ball, ball placement, stuff like that. And it’s things that you learn over time. And a guy of his age with the knowledge he has, when he gets the reps under his belt, it’s just gonna get better and better.”

Against the Huskies, it was easy to see Tuttle’s experience shine through. He settled in immediately — even though his last in-game appearance was nearly a year ago — and he looked calm, cool and collected under center. 

Tuttle is certainly the most seasoned member of the Wolverines’ quarterback room, despite struggling with a handful of injuries throughout his lengthy college career. He appeared in 15 total games with five starts for the Hoosiers — slotting in behind Michael Penix Jr. — and he was even selected as a team captain. Last season at Michigan, he appeared in six games behind another top-10 NFL Draft pick in McCarthy, completing 15-of-17 pass attempts for 130 yards and one touchdown.

With that experience, of course, comes a rather significant age gap.

“I do (feel a lot older than everyone), yeah,” Tuttle said. “I mean, kinda. You don’t feel a lot older, and then a guy that’s like seven years younger than you has a different language and says something, and you’re like, ‘What does that mean?’ ”

Tuttle’s teammates definitely consider him the elder statesman. Asked if Tuttle acts his age — 25 years old now — Johnson answered with a smile and zero hesitation.

“Yes. He seems like he’s 40.”

As someone who expected to finish his career in a backup role, Tuttle is fully embracing his newfound opportunity. Healthy at last, he’s hoping to channel his extensive experience into a successful run as the Wolverines’ third — and, for Michigan, hopefully final — starting quarterback this season.

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