Michigan has found the veteran quarterback it was shopping for in the transfer portal.
Mikey Keene, a two-year starter at Fresno State, committed to Michigan on Monday. Keene has one year of eligibility remaining and will join five-star freshman Bryce Underwood in Michigan’s quarterback competition.
— Mikey Keene (@Mikey_Keene) December 23, 2024
Keene has thrown for 8,245 yards and 65 touchdowns in four years as an FBS quarterback. He started 10 games as a freshman at UCF in place of an injured Dillon Gabriel and was a backup at UCF in 2022 during Chip Lindsey’s season as the Knights’ offensive coordinator. Lindsey was hired earlier this month as Michigan’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
In two seasons as Fresno State’s starter, Keene completed nearly 70 percent of his passes for 5,868 yards and 42 touchdowns with 21 interceptions. Fresno State was 9-4 last season and 6-6 this year, including a 30-10 loss at Michigan to open the season. Keene went 22-for-36 for 235 yards in that game with a touchdown and two interceptions.
At 5 feet 11 and 180 pounds, Keene presents a different look from the 6-4 Underwood. Keene won’t overwhelm anyone with his size or arm strength, but he’s a smart passer who throws with touch and accuracy and should make a smooth transition in Lindsey’s offense. He’s No. 13 in The Athletic’s transfer quarterback rankings.
Keene’s arrival will set up a fascinating competition for Michigan, which is in the midst of a quarterback overhaul. Two scholarship QBs, Alex Orji and Jayden Denegal, have entered the transfer portal, leaving Davis Warren and freshman Jadyn Davis as the top two quarterbacks for the ReliaQuest Bowl against Alabama. Warren has a fifth year of eligibility remaining and Davis, the top QB prospect in Michigan’s 2024 class, will be a redshirt freshman next season. Michigan also added Chase Herbstreit, the son of ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit, as a second quarterback in its 2025 recruiting class.
Required reading
- Ranking the top 30 quarterbacks in the transfer portal
- Bryce Underwood has arrived, plus Michigan addresses roster needs in transfer portal
- How did Michigan land Bryce Underwood? A billionaire and a plan for a brand
(Photo: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)
