The few quotes I can find on the web that are indicating Alex Orji has been the clear leader for QB1 is coming almost exclusively from the players or coaches, rather than media coverage. Understandably so, as Michigan has shutdown any outside access, as if Glick and the outdoor practice fields are a DARPA Research Installation. I’ve seen nothing other than an occasional inclusion of Michigan’s other QBs in summaries about the “Battle” who were considered real candidates for QB1 when spring practice began, but now aren’t even close to being mentioned and affirmed as being “That Dude” like Orji has in the trickle of quotes about practice this spring. A few quotes here from 2 guys who would know from facing Orji in practice every snap..
“Alex Orji can make plays with his legs … You don’t know what he’s doing, even when he doesn’t have the ball because he’s a weapon. … when there’s somebody back there that can just run at any given time and you’ve gotta chase him down, it’s in the back of your mind throughout the game.” - Mason Graham
“He can escape the pocket, but believe it or not, he can throw, People might not believe that social media or whatnot, say he can’t throw, but he can throw. I’ve seen him throw dots down the field, and it’s worse when you just almost get there and he gets the ball off, and it’s a touchdown. He’s great at doing that. He’s great at escaping and getting the ball downfield.” - Josaiah Stewart
“Obviously a freak athlete. The ability for him to be a game-changer with the ball in his hand, running the football is what he really has a different element from the other guys as we’ve seen in the past. But it’s not like he can’t throw. He can and he’s throwing pretty well as we’ve gone through the springtime.” - Head Coach Moore
I know I’m the head “Alexketeer” in The Alex Orji Fan Club. I’m of the opinion that certain TOS insiders are wrong about the reasons why Michigan is looking for QB help in the portal, specifically statements made that Michigan is looking for an “upgrade” at QB in the transfer portal. There isn’t an available QB in the portal that is the athletic freak Alex is. There is no one who can bring all the “extra” aspects that Alex has at his disposal in his play to the offense. Bringing in someone now as the “Upgrade” would be a near impossible task for a portal QB to earn the respect of the team in a few short months to be the alpha of a different tight culture of the Wolverines and assume leadership, all while showing command of the “Same but Different” power run-centric offense with complex run/pass formations containing lots of pre snap movements, that the Michigan offense pro-style offense demands from the QB. I just can’t imagine anyone coming in over the summer to compete in summer camp and beating out Alex. I think this belief that Orji can’t throw or succeed as QB1 is an almost exclusive fanbase and fansite driven agenda.
No, Alex is not JJ, but JJ is not Alex either. His high school numbers show he can throw the ball. But his skills running the ball are going to make him nearly unstoppable in Michigan’s offense. He’s Michigan’s Ace up their sleeve for 2024.
