Michigan loses former QB Alex Orji to UNLV
Michigan football watched Alex Orji go from starting quarterback to goalie. The Wolverines will now watch him seek the starting job at UNLV.
Former initial KB is joining the Rebels, he told On3.com’s Hayes Fawcett on Saturday night. He’s heading to a place that watched Hajj Malik-Williams emerge as the dynamic that fueled the Rebels’ offense on his way from Campbell University.
Senior Malik-Williams led UNLV’s second straight run to the MVC title game. He also replaced Matthew Sluka during the season, who entered the portal amid a much-publicized NIL move.
Orji heads to Sin City with two years of eligibility remaining. The 6-foot-3, 235-pounder will also join new head coach Dan Mullen and his first UNLV team before 2025.
Michigan signed Alex Orji to start before 2024
Related Michigan Football NewsThe article continues below
Orji was originally set to replace national champion and first-round talent JJ McCarthy in 2024. Even with Davis Warren available for the KB1 role for the defending champs.
Orji, however, ended up starting just three games total for the Wolverines. Warren made the majority of the snaps for a Michigan team that finished 8-5 overall — ranking seventh overall in the Big 10 Conference.
Orji saw limited action against Fresno State in the season opener. He managed only one pass from two attempts. Head coach Sharon Moore trusted Orji’s legs more against the Bulldogs — as Orji had five KB carries and managed 32 yards. Michigan won 30-10 in Ann Arbor.
The Sachse, Texas native has never attempted 20 passes in one game. He attempted 18 passes against Minnesota on Sept. 28. Orji finished with a season-best 86 yards against the Golden Gophers that day as well. Michigan, however, freed him up more as a running back option.
Orji carried the football 57 times for 269 yards, an average of 4.7 yards per game. He settled for 150 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions as a passer. Now, he gives Mullen his first potential KB1 in his transition to head coach of the Rebels.
2025-01-12 00:31:00
