37 days until Michigan football: What to expect from QB Alex Orji in 2023
There’s much anticipation heading into the Michigan Wolverines football season, and TheWolverine.com is counting down the days until the Sept. 2 opener against East Carolina. We’ll discuss current Michigan events, the upcoming season and/or take a look at a significant number that correlates with how many days remain until kickoff, whether it be a player’s jersey number, a year, a date, a score, etc.
Michigan football doesn’t have a quarterback controversy like it did last season, but the backup signal-caller job is up for grabs. Graduate Jack Tuttle, an Indiana transfer, and junior Davis Warren, a former walk-on, appear to be the top two contenders. But sophomore dual-threat Alex Orji is a true wildcard in every sense of the word. Built like a linebacker at 6-3, 235 pounds but possessing great speed and a big arm, the former four-star recruit brings a different skill set than the other two (and most quarterbacks in the country).
“Alex Orji, his accuracy, the strength of his arm — when he had to pump a ball in there, he got it in there,” Michigan radio analyst Jon Jansen said on the ‘In The Trenches’ podcast this spring. “He also showed some touch, and his mobility in the pocket, his strength, his size is going to be a huge asset.”
Orji rushed 6 times for 37 yards and 2 touchdowns as a freshman, redshirting by playing in only three contests. He was impressive in the spring game this April, carrying 5 times for 18 yards and completing 4 of his 6 passes for 47 yards.
The Sachse, Texas, native flashed his arm talent with a 41-yard connection with freshman wideout Fredrick Moore and a 5-yard touchdown toss to senior tight end A.J. Barner in the scrimmage. His 11-yard run up the sideline showed his vision and speed, but even a 2-yard run in which he trucked safety R.J. Moten was impressive, displaying his power that could be utilized in short-yardage situations.
“[Michigan quarterbacks coach] Kirk [Campbell] and Coach Harbaugh have instilled confidence in me to where I know I can do whatever we have in the play book, and then getting help from other guys in the room, getting help from J.J., [sophomore] Jayden [Denegal], Davis, all the guys; the older guys, they’re always helping us,” Orji told TheWolverine.com this summer. “So whoever is taking the snap on the field is a culmination of our quarterback room. Everyone is a little piece of each other.”
Orji will be ready if and when he’s put in the game this fall.
“Just making sure that I’m taking care of business, and being the physical guy that I am and making sure that I’m staying accurate and just being ready for whatever they throw at me,” the Michigan quarterback said of his mindset ahead of the 2023 campaign. “Whatever we put in the game plan, I’ve gotta be ready for it all, and the stuff that has my name on it, just be ready to execute it and make a play when I’m in there.”
Michigan football countdown to kickoff
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