Michigan Football Quarterback Alex Orji Has Impressive Arm

As all Wolverines fans know quite well by now, Jim Harbaugh has really yet to let Michigan football quarterback Alex Orji sling the ball around; instead, the sophomore QB is used for lots of running packages and trick plays. That said, reporters spoke with U-M safety Rod Moore earlier today about what Orji brings to the table, and it sounds like he has some very impressive arm talent — the Jalen Milroe comparisons may not be too far off.

Michigan football quarterback Alex Orji garnering high praise from his teammates

Talked to a lot of Michigan’s defenders about Alex Orji — guys like Rod Moore, Mason Graham, and others agree with Harbaugh’s take that he could turn into a guy like Jalen Milroe.

All of them noted his insane athletic ability — his arm strength as well. pic.twitter.com/48eH2ODdki

— CJ Mangum (@CMBB90) December 28, 2023

Could Alex Orji win the QB1 job for Michigan football in 2024? Well, Jim Harbaugh seems to think he will be a contender, and many of Orji’s teammates seem to believe much of the same. In fact, over the past two days, I have heard quite a few comparisons to Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, who is largely known as an athletic freak and just finished fifth in Heisman voting.

Orji compared to elite Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe

Sep 23, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) is tackled for a loss by Mississippi Rebels linebacker Monty Montgomery (8) during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

While Michigan football has not allowed Alex Orji to air it out much so far, Rod Moore expressed a lot of optimism about Orji’s arm talent heading into the Rose Bowl.

“I mean, it’s not really just the mobileness of Milroe” said Rod Moore on Thursday. “(Milroe) has got a strong arm and so does (Alex Orji). When we’re in practice, Alex is throwing it. When they run those deep routes, Alex throws it. 

“I remember one time — he was probably in the opposite 30 and got to the middle of the endzone. And you see the film, that’s how Milroe throws the ball. Then when he runs the ball, I mean, it gives the D-Line and us a good look (in prep for Alabama in the Rose Bowl), especially when we’re short in the box and a DB has to come to make a tackle — it gives us a good look of how (Milroe) is going to move.”

JJ McCarthy’s successor?

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy looks to pass against Ohio State during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.

JJ McCarthy has an NFL decision to make in the next few months when it comes to his 2024 NFL Draft status, and if he decides to leave, it appears that the Wolverines may elect to see what Alex Orji has got. If all of what we’re hearing about the sophomore Michigan football quarterback is true, it appears that the Maize and Blue may have a diamond in the rough right now.

Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics and Big Ten content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Publisher at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest-growing and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!