PASADENA, California – Alex Orji isn’t sure what his future holds on Michigan’s quarterback depth chart, but he’s taking advantage of every opportunity to show off his skills as the team prepares for the Rose Bowl.
In practice, the sophomore former three-star recruit from Sachse High in Texas has been emulating Alabama dual-threat quarterback Jalen Milroe, and his performance has drawn attention.
“Alex has grown and grown right before our eyes,” Harbaugh stated this week. “He’s always been a confident, smart person with his wits about him.” It’s growing and growing. He’ll approach you, strike up a discussion, extend his hand, and ask, ‘How ya doin’ coach?’ We’ve watched him progress from a really excellent point to where he is now.
“I’m quite excited to let Alex go. Depending on what J.J. does, I believe he’ll be right in the mix next year. It’s entertaining to consider.”
J.J. McCarthy has not stated his plans for next season, including whether he will return for his senior year or declare for the NFL draft. His attention is on Monday’s national semifinal against the SEC champion Crimson Tide.
Orji, listed at 6-foot-3, 236 pounds, isn’t thinking about 2024 either, preferring to fight the Wolverines’ top-ranked defense before facing Milroe, who placed sixth in Heisman Trophy voting.
“I’m trying to make the scout team pay as much as possible,” Orji remarked during Rose Bowl media day in the stadium’s parking lot. “Every now and then, I’ll throw some trash at (defensive linemen Kenneth Grant and Mason Graham) to get their legs moving.” They’ve done an excellent job of responding to it.”
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Few quarterbacks can compete with Milroe’s talent. He possesses the build of a running back and the speed of a receiver, as well as a rocket arm.
Although Orji isn’t as polished as Milroe, Harbaugh praised his sophomore quarterback for being one of the team’s most athletic players, regardless of position. During his senior year, Orji tossed for over 2,000 yards and carried for over 1,000 yards. He also played receiver and safety early in his high school career.
“It really shoots it through the roof, especially coming from him,” Orji said of Harbaugh’s comparisons to Milroe. “Stuff like that is what I work for, knowing that the athletic abilities that I have and the skillset that I have, just trying to hone it in and become a guy like (Milroe) who can finish top-10 in the Heisman and take his team to do things that he is doing.”
Even before Michigan’s game versus Alabama was announced, Orji was shining in the team’s Monday scrimmages – a live game amongst Michigan reserves who don’t see much action on Saturdays.
The Wolverines’ coaching staff was confident enough in him to start him against Ohio State on Nov. 25. He entered the game on the second play of the third quarter to replace McCarthy for two plays. On the opening play, he found a gap and broke off a 20-yard run before rushing for 2 yards on the next.
Orji has ran for 106 yards and three touchdowns on 17 tries in two seasons at Michigan, while completing his sole pass for 5 yards.
“The other day in practice, he was doing scout team, had pressure in his face, and then, off his back foot, threw the ball 68 yards in the air,'” Michigan quarterbacks coach Kirk Campbell told MLive at media day. “You go, ‘Holy cow.'” That’s his arm strength. We have all of these opportunity scrimmages, so his being able to use a stiff arm and explode through the hole comes in handy. Then, in the Ohio State game, he breaks a 20-yard run. That thing speaks for itself, and the fans will see it when he gets the chance to perform. He is considered a weirdo.”
Orji has all of the tools to be a good college quarterback, according to Campbell, but the next stage in his growth is fine-tuning the tiny elements of his game that may make a major impact on game day.
“Alex had to work on his footwork,” Campbell, who took over as quarterbacks coach last offseason, said. “His feet weren’t always properly aligned for his tosses. He was clumsy with his feet, which resulted in some inaccuracy and inconsistency. Just working on getting his feet set with his throws and timing his footwork to specific pass patterns so that we can be on time throwing to the right people with the optimal angles.
“Nothing is ever perfect in the quarterback room.” However, just like a pitcher, they always want to have their feet set to their throw, and if you don’t do that as a QB, you will give yourself a lesser percentage of completion. He’s much better at getting things sorted and set up.”
If McCarthy is selected in the draft, the Wolverines will have no clear starter on the roster for next season. It’s uncertain whether graduate student Jack Tuttle, who played the most backups in 2023, still has eligibility. Orji, redshirt freshman Jayden Denegal, junior and former walk-on Davis Warren, and top-100 recruit incoming freshman Jadyn Davis might all be in the mix next year.
For the time being, Orji is committed on helping the 2023 Wolverines capture their first national championship since 1997.
“Not really worried about that,” Orji said of the 2024 quarterback race. “Right now, I’m just trying to go 15-0.” I’ve tuned out everything anyone has said to me about it.”
