Alex Orji has impressed in fall camp with some incredible throws and is a serious threat with his legs, but will he be named Michigan’s starting quarterback for the season opener?
With less than two weeks until Michigan takes on Fresno State at Michigan Stadium to kick off the 2024 season, the Wolverines have yet to announce their starting quarterback. The leading contenders are Jack Tuttle and Alex Orji. Tuttle, a transfer from Indiana, served as J.J. McCarthy’s backup last season and is entering his seventh collegiate season. Orji also saw action last year, making his mark as a runner against teams like Ohio State and Alabama. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound junior rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown in 2023.
While Orji is known for his explosive running ability, he has been working on refining his passing skills. So far, he has only attempted one career pass, a five-yard completion. However, that aspect of his game is showing improvement.
Michigan wide receiver Tyler Morris noted Orji’s growth, saying, “There’s some throws he’s made that have been amazing. I think he’s picked up his consistency for sure, and that was probably the biggest thing he had to work on.”
Former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh has long believed Orji isn’t just a runner, comparing him to Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, and stating last December, “We’re seeing before our eyes right now with Alex Orji. And it scares me a little bit that Jalen Milroe could be as athletic as Alex Orji. Alex is like that scariest, most athletic guy on our whole team. We’re excited to turn Alex loose. I think he will be right in the starting quarterback battle next year.”
Michigan plans to leverage Orji’s strengths, adjusting the offense to suit his skill set. Orji himself acknowledged this, saying, “You can’t ignore it. It’s an elephant in the room. [Michigan] always talked to me about how they saw me playing and how they saw my abilities fitting into the scheme, making a different scheme or whatever it may have been.”
Orji offers the highest upside at quarterback heading into 2024 due to his versatility and game-changing running abilities. However, his accuracy in live games and ability to avoid turnovers remain question marks, as there’s not enough data to make a definitive judgment—yet.
What’s clear is that Michigan’s coaches and players are speaking highly of Orji, and he could very well become Michigan’s QB1 this fall. Jim Harbaugh once likened Orji to “Herschel Walker playing quarterback, who can really throw the ball.” Such praise is rare, and this fall may finally be the time when Orji proves why those close to him believe in his potential.
“Orji definitely presents a difficult style of football you’ve got to play against, especially from his ability to run,” Michigan safety Quenten Johnson remarked.
If Orji can deliver performances similar to Jalen Milroe, there’s a strong chance the Wolverines will make the College Football Playoff for the fourth consecutive season.
