Speight comfortable, confident as Michigan's QB battle approaches

Michigan needs a new starting quarterback and Wilton Speight believes he's ready to be the guy.

Admittedly, Speight wasn't prepared to lead the Wolverines last season, but a year to settle in and learn the team's offense has changed everything for the sophomore.

"The playbook is the same. The terminology is the same. I feel really good about it," Speight said at a Michigan quarterbacks camp Saturday, according to Zach Shaw of 247 Sports. "(Practices) feel like they're in slow motion and stuff. It's slowed down tremendously."

Speight had an opportunity to seize the starting job last year but failed to capitalize, so the job went to senior Jake Rudock. When he did get into games, Speight couldn't muster up more than a 36 percent completion rate.

"In the Minnesota game, when I came in I was sloppy at first," said Speight, who noted he can't afford slow starts in games. "That was a big focal point for me the entire spring. I never really got to the point where I wanted to be until the spring game and that's what I wanted to build on going into (fall) camp.

"In the first day of camp, I want to throw a touchdown. That's kind of the mindset I have. Every time I work out or get on the board, I have that mindset. The mindset of getting a touchdown."

Speight said he isn't completely sure where he sits on the Michigan depth chart, but is confident he has the attention of his coaching staff. He'll compete with John O'Korn, Shane Morris, among others, for the role.

The Wolverines have until Sept. 3 - when they take on Hawaii in their season opener - to name a starter.