ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan’s midseason quarterback competition produced a surprise winner: Davis Warren, a former walk-on and cancer survivor, started the reigning national champion’s season opener against Fresno State on Saturday.

Warren, a senior from Los Angeles, had been battling junior Alex Orji for the starting position in recent weeks. Seventh-year senior Jack Tuttle was also in the running until he was injured during camp.

Michigan’s first possession on Saturday started with Warren at quarterback but ended with Orji finding Donovan Edwards for a 3-yard touchdown pass.

The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Warren played in three games last season and had five pass attempts; he will play in five games in 2022. Warren entered Saturday’s game with 14 pass attempts for 89 yards and an interception.

Warren was a decorated recruit until he was diagnosed with leukemia in March 2019, as a sophomore. Warren underwent chemotherapy and returned to play four games during the 2019 season. His final season in 2020 was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Michigan used Orji in 2023 as a changeup quarterback for running situations behind starter JJ McCarthy, an NFL first-round draft pick in April.