When the 2023 college football season comes to an end, ideally after Team 144 makes a national title run in January, there is a good chance that projected first-round pick JJ McCarthy will take off the winged helmet for the final time. Next year, there are a few options that the staff can go in to be the starting Michigan football quarterback for a brutal 2024 schedule; however, as of late, one option has been subtly making a name for himself inside of Schembechler Hall: Alex Orji.
Michigan football quarterback Alex Orji turning heads
Alex Orji is said to be a jack of all trades, and while Michigan football does not use him too often right now, it sounds like he is subtly making a name for himself at the quarterback position. Heading into this season, with players like JJ McCarthy, Jayden Denegal, Davis Warren, and Jack Tuttle in the QB room, it sounded like Jim Harbaugh wanted Orji to move to a new role as a kick returner and more.
Throughout his tenure in Ann Arbor, Harbaugh has been known to convince players to change positions that best fit their skill sets and the team’s needs — see fifth-year cornerback Mike Sainristil (formerly a wide receiver) as a prime example. While it sounded like the staff wanted Orji to get looks at other positions, the sophomore Michigan football quarterback seems to truly want to try his hand as a QB.
Positive buzz from QB coach Kirk Campbell this week
After ripping off a huge run against Ohio State, Alex Orji has been generating tons of positive buzz. If Michigan football can dial in Orji’s arm talent, there seems to be a real chance that he could contend for the QB1 role next fall.
“Yeah, not just Alex (Orji), but our entire quarterback room is ready for the situation whenever it strikes,” quarterback coach Kirk Campbell said this week. “Alex has done an unbelievable job preparing himself with, not only the run game, but the throw game. (Orji’s run against Ohio State) was an opportunity that, not only his talent warranted, but his preparation warranted as well.”
High football IQ
Campbell also added more praise for his whole QB room, including Alex Orji, for their football IQ.
“Davis Warren is very smart and understands the game,” he said. “Jayden Denegal is going in that direction. Alex Orji — all those guys are just leaders in their own different ways. I think that question, I kind of threw everybody out there, but they’re all special in their own different way.”
Orji will likely get his chance to contend for the top spot next year, but JJ McCarthy remains the guy for Michigan football right now
Everyone has been very high on what Orji brings to Michigan football for quite some time. If the Wolverines do need a new quarterback in 2024, the transfer portal could be a viable option, though it sounds like Alex Orji will at least get a chance to win the job by the time Week 1 rolls around.
Regardless, JJ McCarthy is Michigan’s top guy for now, and the Wolverines have a shot at another Big Ten title, a CFP berth, and potentially a national title in the coming weeks.
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