The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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mation a year ago, might have the most potential. "They're pushing each other," of- fensive coordinator Sherrone Moore said. "It's competitive, not combat- ive. It's awesome. We've really got four other guys behind J.J. with Jack, Davis, Alex and Jayden. Those guys are re- ally pushing each other for that second spot. "We're just excited about the whole room. Those guys did an unbelievable job. They're great learners and stu- dents of the game, and they all work extremely hard. They also care for each other, which is awesome to see." Orji only threw one pass last year, completing it for 5 yards. He also rushed 6 times for 37 yards and 2 touchdowns. He opened eyes in the spring game not only with his physique — he's a freak athlete at 6-3, 235 pounds — but also with his arm. He completed 4 of 6 passes for 47 yards in the scrimmage, including a dime to freshman receiver Fredrick Moore for an over-the-shoul- der, 41-yard grab. In addition, he had an 11-yard carry among his 5 rushes (19 yards). Orji proved to his coaches and team- mates he was more than just a runner, Sherrone Moore said. "He showed in the spring game he's got an arm to make the throws, but also the athleticism and skill set. We will have to find different ways and tweaks to involve him in the game plan, because he is special," Moore added. "He's an athlete with great size and toughness, and the kid is super, su- per smart. We'll find different ways to implement him." The rest of them, too, will get their opportunities to show what they can do in the fall. McCarthy is 1A and 1B this year on the depth chart, but Moore noted they had "rich people problems" with so many playmakers at different positions, including quarterback. It's his and the staff 's job to fig- ure out ways to get the best out of all of them, and they've already started working on it. "We know that our identity is that we're a running football team. We're going to be able to do that based on the returning players we have," Campbell said. "We've just got to make sure we come out knowing what our identity is in the throw game. Is it going to be a ball-control passing game? Are we a play-action team? "We have to make sure we get all those details cleaned up and make sure we put them in the best position to succeed on Saturdays." If they do, they should have a great chance at a third straight Big Ten title. ❑ [ Q U A R T E R B A C K S ] 50 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2023 FOOTBALL PREVIEW Ronnie Bell was the epitome of the recruiting "steal" several years ago, becoming Michigan's leading receiver in three of his five years on campus and getting drafted by the San Francisco 49ers this past spring. The Wolverines hope they added another steal when they signed his brother, Kendrick Bell, a 6-3, 180-pound quarterback out of Kansas City (Mo.) Park Hill High. The younger Bell, an On3.com three-star prospect, played quarterback last year, but he was recruited as an athlete. Head coach Jim Harbaugh promised him a shot at QB when he recruited him, but nothing more. That resonated for Park Hill coach Andy Sims. "Coach Harbaugh did a great job of being upfront and honest with him in terms of saying, 'This is what we can do, and if this doesn't work out, here is what we're willing to do. Can you get on board with that?'" Sims said. "His response was, 'Absolutely.' He's always going to be a team-first guy. "If for whatever reason quarterback doesn't work out, you have a 6-foot-3 wide receiver that can jump out of the gym and snag every ball you can imagine. "He's not a burner — few of those guys are ever like that —and he's going to need some work on his route running. "Ronnie is super explosive and has a lot of fight in him. I think you'll see the same thing out of Kendrick." That fits exactly what Harbaugh is looking for on his team. He's said many times he'd take "100 Ronnie Bells" if he could get them — now, he's got the next best thing. Last fall, when his brother started to put up insane numbers, Michigan captain Ronnie took his highlights to Harbaugh. It wasn't the first time, but this time it really got the Michigan coach's attention. "He became even stronger, more athletic, more comfortable. And he must have scored like 20 touchdowns in the first four games," Bell recalled of his brother. "So, I showed Coach Harbaugh again, and he loved him. It was crazy how that all played out." Watching him grow has been just as fun as playing out his own career, Ronnie said. "I'm so proud of him and of what he's become," he said. "It's been really cool to see how much he's grown in the last year and how serious he is." While Kendrick probably won't wear his brother's number, he could be better than him in the long run, Ronnie insisted … and he would love it. — Chris Balas SCHOLARSHIP ROSTER No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. — Kendrick Bell QB 6-3 180 Fr. 14 Jayden Denegal QB 6-4 238 So. 9 J.J. McCarthy QB 6-3 196 Jr. 10 Alex Orji QB 6-3 235 So. 13 Jack Tuttle QB 6-4 212 Gr. 16 Davis Warren QB 6-2 195 Jr. Can Kendrick Bell Follow In His Brother's Footsteps? ❱ ❱ X-FACTOR X-FACTOR Sophomore ALEX ORJI enters 2023 as an intriguing long-term piece at quarterback. At 6-foot-3, 235 pounds, he looks like a line- backer with the skill set of a running back and a rocket arm. He is a dark horse to make a real push for the backup job in fall camp, and it seems like the coaching staff could have a plan for him in goal-line and short- yardage packages. Accuracy will ultimately determine if he stays at the position. He was 1-of-1 passing for 5 yards but rushed 6 times for 37 yards (6.2 per carry) and 2 touch- downs a year ago. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL