Michigan Football: Where Does Alex Malzone Fit into Wolverines QB Battle?

By the time the dust clears, Alex Malzone just may prove worthy of being Michigan's next starting quarterback.

Whether that dust clears this spring or fall—or even in 2016—remains to be seen, but the 4-star recruit out of Brother Rice certainly has "it" in his arm and upstairs, which Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh referenced on national signing day.

He got his class; now it's time for him to get his quarterback(s). It's a new day in Ann Arbor, and Harbaugh offered "no guarantees, only opportunities" in reference to early position battles. He also said he'd approach this team with "fresh eyes"—likely meaning that no job is safe and the new guy could be the next guy—as it entered spring practices, which begin Feb. 24.

So why not Malzone? He won three state championships at Brother Rice and finished his illustrious prep career as the No. 13-ranked pro-style quarterback of 2015. He also won 2014 Mr. Football honors in Michigan.

The 6'1.5", 200-pounder, at least right now, seems to have as good a chance as anyone. But there is stiff competition, and while talented, Malzone's not the clear and early favorite to take the reins of the offense.

Then again, there is no favorite. So back to the question: Why not Malzone?

Harbaugh further discussed the freshman's potential during his NSD presser:

Everything he does he wins, and excellent thrower of the football. He's got a real savvy in the pocket. I think his accuracy is outstanding and jumps off—jumps out on tape, the way he's able to scan the field and go from a receiver to a secondary receiver and move his feet. Just...and then the last thing I would say is he's been here. He's been here for three weeks so we've been around him since week one when the students came back to school. He does not seem like a freshman. He...I don't know if he's got an older soul to him but he has fit right in. He's been very serious about football. I like that about him. He's been serious about school and it's been very good.

The Competition

Experience is on the side of Shane Morris, a former blue-chip recruit and soon-to-be junior. However, the term "experience" should be taken lightly in this case. Other than starting the 2014 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, the former Warren De La Salle product has yet to truly make his mark in Ann Arbor.

Some of that's on him, but most of it's on the coaching staff, which never found a way to provide the necessary developmental reps to Morris. And when he did play, it was disastrous; look no further than the Wolverines' 30-14 loss Sept. 27 to Minnesota at The Big House for a prime example.

Hobbling and looking to exit the field, Morris was left to fight on his own by former coach Brady Hoke. As it turned out, Morris was concussed. Such moments either make or break a player's confidence. Devin Gardner, the team's former quarterback, was never the same after Notre Dame and Michigan State hit him in 2013, and that idea of a guy being "rattled" could apply to Morris.

However, he's always said that he's ready to go whenever and wherever, and the same was true on Dec. 30, the date of Harbaugh's introduction, when he said he was excited to work with his new coach and battle for a job.

But as a sophomore in 2014, he completed just 14 of 40 attempts for 128 yards and threw three interceptions. Time served in Ann Arbor may be an advantage, but Morris' numbers suggest that Harbaugh could look toward a new option.

In theory, that second option could be Wilton Speight, a 6'6", 236-pound redshirt freshman who's yet to throw a pass during live action. The former 3-star recruit out of Richmond Collegiate (Virginia) has the size and cannon-arm built for an attacking offense. He frequently launched missiles during warm-ups, so it's perfectly logical to assume that he'll be a top choice for the new staff.

Zach Gentry arrives this fall, putting him slightly behind Malzone—who enrolled early—but that doesn't mean he won't be a factor in late summer workouts. The 6'7", 230-pounder out of Albuquerque Eldorado (New Mexico) was the No. 8-ranked PSQB of his class and possesses excellent field vision.

"Zach Gentry, very similar kind of demeanor [as Malzone]," Harbaugh said. "Zach is also very talented. He's very fast. He's got some real physical attributes not every quarterback has, and he is somebody that works extremely hard at the game, especially in the offseason on his technique and on his throwing.

"[I am] excited about both Alex and Zach, and the two things common to them and with everybody in this class has really been fantastic to see is a desire to compete in the classroom and on the football field, and I really like those guys, those kind of people the most that compete in both those areas to the highest level."

Like Speight, Gentry and Malzone both have big arms and love to throw the long ball. If Harbaugh wants to go deep on a regular basis, Gentry, Speight and/or Malzone could be his guys. In terms of arm strength, they're the best bets.

The Hometown Advantage?

There is something to be said about a hometown kid who dreamed of playing quarterback at Michigan—just ask Harbaugh, who did the very same as a standout across the street at Ann Arbor Pioneer in the early 1980s.

He was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 1986 and now, obviously, coaches Michigan. It's safe to say that he holds the position nearer and dearer to his Gatorade-pumping heart more than any coach in program history. With that said, he probably won't take any shortcuts when choosing the next leader of his offense.

He could have a personal interest in the race, though.

Now apply that Harbaugh-ism to Malzone and Morris, who would make for an intense and entertaining in-state battle for what was once considered one of the most coveted positions in all of college football.

Harbaugh is an emotional, nostalgic kind of guy. He loves to tell stories and relive the good old days of hovering around Michigan Stadium in hopes of landing a player's autograph. He's all about the home roots, and while he'll pick the best guy, you had better believe that Malzone and Morris will get their rightful opportunity to live the Michigan kid dream just like their coach did 30 years ago.

Can Malzone Really Do it?

The No. 1 spot is wide open and is anyone's for the taking—so again, why not Malzone?

His leadership qualities, level of comprehension and ability to manage make him a legitimate candidate for the starting position. At this point, it's a given that he'll get his share of snaps during spring practices, in which time he'll either move up or down the depth chart.

But it's only February, and it's far too early to nail down a definite pecking order. However, true freshman or not, Malzone should be viewed in the same light as the rest—as a horse in a race that has no favorite.

Follow Bleacher Report's Michigan Wolverines football writer Adam Biggers on Twitter @AdamBiggers81

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes and references were obtained firsthand by the writer via press conference, press release or other media availability.

All recruiting information comes courtesy of 247Sports.