Although there’s plenty to like about the Michigan Wolverines heading into the 2024 season, there’s also a pretty big question mark remaining at one of the most crucial positions – the quarterback.
Throughout the spring, it sounded as if Alex Orji was leading the battle. Coaches and players were often asked about the quarterback battle during media availability over the last several weeks, and Orji’s name was almost always the first name mentioned in their response. With plenty of hype surrounding the junior QB, the biggest mystery is whether or not Orji can be consistent enough through the air to solidify himself as QB1.
During the 2023 season, Orji showcased his ability to move the ball down the field on a number of occasions, but all of those instances occurred on the ground. The 6-3, 236-pound QB rushed for 86 yards (5.7 ypc) and one touchdown on 15 carries, and it was clear that – even when the defense knew what was coming – Orji was difficult to stop. While the rushing aspect of Orji’s game is impressive, he didn’t attempt a single pass in the six games where he made an appearance last season. In fact, Orji has attempted just one pass in a game during his first two seasons at Michigan.
Given all of the mystery surrounding his passing abilities, there was considerable excitement for fans who watched or attended Michigan’s spring game back on April 20. Orji served as the starting quarterback for the Blue team, and it was clear that offensive coordinator/QB coach Kirk Campbell was intent on allowing No. 10 to showcase his skills through the air. Orji finished the afternoon completing 13-of-18 attempts for 103 yards, while also rushing for 19 yards and one touchdown on five attempts.
It wasn’t a perfect performance, but it was certainly enough to seemingly keep Orji at the top of the depth chart heading into the summer. Following the game, Orji met with the media to discuss his performance, along with what he’s focusing on in terms of his development.
“I was just saying to the other guys, it’s just one of fifteen practices. I think we did…it was pretty on-par with how we are,” Orji said. “Mistakes are going to be made here and there, and it was a little more competitive with the whole Maize and Blue setup of it, but I think it was awesome – especially from the boys in white today. We’re a real tight family, the QB group. So I think it was awesome to get me, Jayden, Jadyn, and Davis out there just rolling, and get full drives put together. So I think it’s awesome for our room. It’s a testament to Coach Campbell and how he prepares us.”
Although Orji had 18 attempts during the spring game, they were all short to intermediate attempts. There’s little doubt that he has the arm strength to be dangerous with his deep ball, but that’s still an aspect of his game that fans have very light insight into. He was asked specifically about that following the spring game, and whether or not he thinks he can push the ball down the field through the air.
“Uh, yeah, I think I can pretty decently,” Orji said. “Especially, another testament to Coach Campbell, just instilling the confidence in me. Between Coach Campbell, Coach Moore, and then today, Coach Newsome, letting me know that the whole playbook is open. Whatever it was before, throughout the start of this spring, I think Coach Campbell has really helped me a lot with just being comfortable in certain situations and feeling out the field. It always comes with reps.”
There’s no doubt that Michigan will need to get the most out of Orji through the air if he does indeed earn the QB1 job this fall, but the rushing attack will still remain a big part of his game. He addressed that balance between rushing and passing following the spring game.
“I think just getting reps and feeling natural in there,” Orji said. I think that, whether it’s a called QB run play that’s on the coaches, if they call it, they’ve got confidence in me to take the offense forward. If it’s a pass, get the ball out. There’s going to be times when it’s a pass play and it’s time to scramble. So I think that’s another thing that Coach Campbell has talked to us about as a whole unit, a whole group – being smart, there’s no reason to hang on in the pocket for no reason trying to prove this and that. When it’s time to go, sometimes that will be the best checkdown available.”
Even with a solid spring performance in the rearview mirror, Orji knows that the work is far from done. In order to earn the privilege of being QB1 at Michigan this fall, he’ll need to continue putting in the work.
“I think, just in general, everything comes with reps,” Orji said. “Just getting comfortable with doing certain things. Working on the short, intermediate, the deep. Coach Campbell and I talked before the spring started, throughout the spring, we’re going to talk tomorrow. He’s a great role model for us to follow. He’s always available to talk to. Like I said, me and Jayden Denegal live together. We’re roommates, so we’re always talking. We got a white board and we’re writing stuff up all the time. We can call Coach Kirk, you know, as late as 11 o’clock. We can call him whenever, really. He’s always helping us out, whether it’s just like…not necessarily physical reps, but mental reps, and feeling different stuff out. So that’s the biggest thing, and getting JJ (McCarthy) around for a few practices, him being around and helping all of us out. It’s just being able to be a sponge that you can absorb stuff, and you can also get squeezed out and give it to other people.”
