The 2025 season is seeing a lot of doors open up for players who had long been waiting behind the scenes. For some, the logjam was so bad that leaving a powerhouse for a struggling program seemed like the better choice. One such player is getting a much-needed start away from Michigan, where he thought his CFB future would be secure. Once a No.2 under J.J. McCarthy, this QB is finally getting his due as a starting QB.
With Bryce Underwood leading the charge at this moment, there is no question that the backup QBs will be in for an extremely strong fight in the next three years. He’s expected to take the lead from J.J. McCarthy, Michigan’s much-loved Natty-winning QB. But when McCarthy ruled college football, one QB from the room quietly made an exit to San Diego State. Jayden Denegal, once a Wolverine, will now start at quarterback for the Aztecs.
He beats QBs Bert Emanuel Jr., JP Mialovski, and Kyle Crum for the job. In 2023, Denegal was the backup to McCarthy. But even in a place like Ann Arbor, it was difficult for him to shine. He hauled in only 50 yards at Michigan and just one TD. 2024 was much more brutal to him, as Sherrone Moore kept him on the sidelines throughout the season. This was despite Michigan being glaringly inept at quarterback last year. When Bryce Underwood entered the mix, Denegal knew it was time to move out and entered the transfer portal soon after the season ended.
Michigan transfer Jayden Denegal will start Week 1 for San Diego State, a source tells @On3sports. @sdutkirKDKenney first.
Denegal saw limited game action at Michigan, passing for 50 yards and a touchdown.https://t.co/TCAF3JNbTc pic.twitter.com/1EvJbLwEKx
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) August 13, 2025
“It is my desire to showcase my talents and skills on the football field on Saturdays,” Denegal wrote in his post announcing his decision to leave Michigan. At San Diego State, he gets to do just that. Denegal’s prep career has great stats. He has 4,608 passing yards, 69 TDs, and only 15 INTs from his time at Apple Valley High. At San Diego State, he will have to take on the mammoth task of pulling the program out of the bottom ranks in the Mountain West Conference. What couldn’t pan out at Michigan might pan out with the Aztecs for Jayden Denegal, after a long wait.
The post Michigan QB Sacrificed For JJ McCarthy, Now Lands First Career Starting Job appeared first on EssentiallySports.
