Though he’s been anointed as the next Michigan football starting quarterback, Alex Orji will have to win the job come fall camp. It will be a battle, with elder statesman Jack Tuttle, veteran Davis Warren, and challengers Jayden Denegal and Jadyn Davis all having their say. Thus, for Orji, he’ll have to put his best foot forward in the coming weeks.
Despite being the starter in the new EA Sports College Football 25 video game, Orji is doing what he can to improve this offseason, in hopes that his name is the first called on August 31 when the Wolverines host Fresno State. So where does he feel like he is in his development? Where has he made the biggest strides this offseason?
“I would say comfortability with my mechanics, building that muscle memory as well as comfortability with raising my voice sometimes, being that leader that all of us quarterbacks are,” Orji said. “It’s been awesome to see how the guys rally around us knowing how a guy like (Davis Warren) has been here the longest of anyone in the room, how he’s able to — a lot of guys have seen what he’s been through with the program and the way he conducts his business, you don’t really have to doubt what he’s saying. You never really think twice about what he’s saying, you know what he’s about. Been good for all of us to kind of step into those leadership roles that comes with being a quarterback.
“I think, for me, being a vocal leader, comfortability with my mechanics and also seeing defenses. I think it’s awesome to be able to go against the best defense in the country every day, there’s really nothing like it. Can’t take it for granted. It’s been good to feel that out. Also, not wearing pads in the summer, it’s good to not have to worry about Mason (Graham) and (Kenneth Grant) every day.”
The season opener is all good and well, but unlike the past two years, Michigan has a formidable opponent in Week 2 when Texas comes to town.
If Orji is the guy, he’s not concerned with what will happen that far down the road, instead adhering to the Michigan mantra of focusing on the quotidian and what he can do today to improve.
“I couldn’t tell you what I need to do in order to be ready for something so far in the future, I think that if I keep preparing myself and getting ready for tomorrow, eventually that day is going to be tomorrow,” Orji said. “I think listening to what Coach Moore has for us, especially what Coach Campbell says, the offense goes when the O-line goes, offense goes as he calls it. I think just taking those things and not trying to do too much or do too little. Finding the sweet spot of working smarter and harder.
“If I was ready for Texas right now then there would be no more work to be done. I think between now and then, now and the beginning of camp, now and Friday, there’s always going to be a lot to get done. I think whenever you take it one day at a time, that’s when you do your best work.”
Regardless if he wins the starting job, Orji will have a role in the offense, much like he did last year.