After an impressive college career from J.J. McCarthy, the Michigan Wolverines are transitioning to a new era of quarterbacks. Candidates like Jayden Denegal, Jack Tuttle, and Jadyn Davis are in the mix, but junior Alex Orji seems to be a frontrunner. Orji, a former three-star recruit, arrived in Ann Arbor with potential, having showcased his running ability with 39 touchdowns and over 2,000 rushing yards in his junior and senior years of high school.
Despite his rushing prowess, Orji’s passing skills were raw, completing just 51.8% of his high school passes. However, he still managed to make big plays, averaging 8.7 yards per attempt, 16.0 yards per completion, and 7.1 yards per carry (excluding sacks) in his senior year. His ground game drew praise, especially from Jim Harbaugh, who highlighted Orji’s 1,200 rushing yards in a high-level Texas football league.
Standing at 6-foot-2 and 226 pounds as a freshman, Orji quickly impressed with his athleticism and speed, scoring rushing touchdowns in his first two collegiate games. Harbaugh continued to praise him, likening him to Herschel Walker in terms of athleticism, but bigger at 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds heading into his sophomore season.
Although Orji’s role in the offense expanded slowly, he was trusted with crucial plays in important games, including the Ohio State clash, the Big Ten Championship against Iowa, and the College Football Playoff against Alabama and Washington. Despite limited passing attempts, the coaching staff demonstrated confidence in him, though a pass attempt in the Rose Bowl did not go as planned.
Comparisons to Orji are challenging due to limited film, but his role in preparing for opposing quarterbacks, like Jalen Milroe of Alabama, indicates his potential. Kirk Campbell, Michigan’s offensive coordinator, praised Orji’s arm talent and athleticism, highlighting his ability to make big plays.
While there’s much hype surrounding Orji, he has only attempted one pass in college and played limited snaps. His spring performance will be crucial in proving he’s more than just a running threat and can excel as a complete quarterback.
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