TAMPA, Fla. — Even though the nation’s No. 1 high school recruit heads to Ann Arbor for the 2025 season (and already in corn and blue), Michigan football wanted an experienced quarterback on the roster.
The Wolverines got just that on Sunday when the program announced the signing of transfer quarterback Mikey Keene. Keene, who started four seasons at UCF (2021-22) and Fresno State (2023-24), played in 39 games and completed 67.8 percent of his passes (793-for-1,170) for 65 touchdowns and 28 interceptions .
“Excited to get to work!”, Keene published on social networks. “Go blue.”
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE: Derrick Moore, the only Michigan starter returning to the DL in 2025, explains his decision
Keene’s time with UCF overlapped in 2022 with another new face for the Wolverines: new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey (who was hired earlier this month from North Carolina). That season, Keene completed 72.3% (60 of 83) of his passes for 647 yards, six touchdowns and one interception in four games before missing most of the season due to injury.
Not only was UM’s new offensive mind familiar with the 5-foot-11, 200-pound signal-caller, but Michigan’s entire staff was familiar with it after facing him in UM’s 30-10 victory against Fresno State in week one.
The game was not as lopsided as the score suggests; it was 16-10 in the fourth quarter before an 86-yard pick-and-roll by Will Johnson helped seal the victory. Before that mistake, Keene kept the Bulldogs in the game in Ann Arbor, completing 22 of 36 (61.1%) passes for 235 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
ON THE OTHER SIDE Michigan football’s demolition of OSU was freshman Wink Martindale’s crowning achievement
“I think he’s a very talented kid who’s accurate in the run,” defensive coordinator Wink Martindale said Saturday. “We know he’s tough… because we hit him. I am delighted that he is now part of our team.
Michigan featured one of the worst passing attacks in America in 2024, ranking 129th in passing offense (133.6 yards per game) and second-to-last among Power Four teams (ahead only Iowa).
Head coach Sherrone Moore is excited to have new recruit Bryce Underwood on the roster, but the five-star recruit still has 17 until mid-August as the Wolverines hit the road to take on SEC team of Oklahoma in Week 2. task for someone who threw two interceptions against Novi Detroit Catholic Central the last time he was on a football field.
But with Keene officially in the fold, UM has two options and feels good about entering Moore’s second season.
That’s different from 2024, when UM entered the year with several unproven QBs, most of whom have since dispersed. Jack Tuttle has retired and is now in a coaching role for UM, Jayden Denegal transferred to San Diego State, and Alex Orji (despite being present for bowl practices) also joined on the transfer portal.
Only Davis Warren, who has hinted he intends to return in 2025, and true freshman Jadyn Davis appear to be holdovers. That’s why UM brought in not only Underwood, but also Keene, who Martindale jokingly compared to a current NFL QB.
“I call him Kyler Murray, a broke man.”
Tony Garcia is the Michigan Wolverines writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on @RealTonyGarcia.
This article was originally published on Detroit Free Press: Michigan football inks QB Mikey Keene: ‘Broken man’s Kyler Murray’
