The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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AUGUST 2024 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 19 ❱ MICHIGAN FOOTBALL ALEX ORJI EMBRACES PROCESS AHEAD OF QB BATTLE Some see junior quarterback Alex Orji as the favorite to win the starting job this fall with graduate Jack Tuttle and senior Davis Warren also in the mix. It has been a day-by-day process for Orji, who en- ters 2024 with only one career passing attempt. Offseason skill training and improving his knowledge of the offense have been major points of emphasis for him. "I would say comfortability with my mechanics [has improved most this off- season]," Orji said. "I'm building that muscle memory as well as comfort with raising my voice sometimes, being that leader that all of us quarterbacks are. It's been awesome to see how the guys rally around us. "They know Davis Warren has been here the longest of anyone in the room. We see what he's been through with the program and the way he conducts his business. You don't doubt what he's saying. You know what he's about. It's been good for all of us to step into those leadership roles that come with being a quarterback. "For me, it's being a vocal leader and seeing defenses. It's awesome to be able to go against the best defense in the country every day — there's really nothing like it. "Also, not wearing pads in the summer — it's good to not have to worry about [defensive tackles] Mason [Graham] and KG [Kenneth Grant] every day." Regardless of how the battle plays out, Orji projects to play a key role on the Michigan offense. He could either start or perform in a platoon role as a change of pace, similar to how J.J. McCarthy oper- ated alongside Cade McNamara in 2021. Despite that situation, Orji says it does not change anything in his approach. The bar has been set for what is expected at the position. "I wouldn't say it takes pressure off me. There's going to be a certain level of play expected from anyone that's hold- ing the football and wearing the winged helmet. Take pride anytime a coach puts you on the field. It's super important to respect that decision the coach made and really take advantage of it. Respect the game of football, pay your dues with hard work and dedication. "It's really awesome to have perspec- tive on knowing where we are, know- ing the opportunity that we have to play for the University of Michigan. I try to preach it to the guys all the time. Any- one that has a chance to play, even has a chance to practice, for the University of Michigan, you've got to take advantage of that every day." — Anthony Broome ROD MOORE MAY NOT BE 'REPLACEABLE,' BUT U-M HAS DEPTH Michigan defensive passing game co- ordinator and secondary coach LaMar Morgan couldn't help but be impressed by safety Rod Moore during his first month-plus on campus, before the se- nior went down with a knee injury in late March that required surgery in late April. Moore has been rehabbing instead of practicing with his teammates, but he's remained engaged, so much so that Mor- gan has been blown away. "I'm big in my faith, and I told him that God doesn't make any mistakes, so there's a reason why you got what hap- pened right now," Morgan said on the "In The Trenches" podcast with Jon Jansen. "You've got to get through the smoke and keep working, and then when you come back on the back end, you'll understand why this happened. Maybe it's something that you need to work on mentally or your physical body, so that when you make this run in the NFL you're ready to go. "I think we just have to keep the guy motivated, keep him around, have him in the offices all the time, ask him questions on game plans." Michigan brought in four transfers in the defensive backfield after the conclu- sion of spring practices, including two safeties in junior Jaden Mangham (Mich- igan State) and graduate Wesley Walker (Tennessee), both of whom have starting experience. Morgan revealed that Moore is spreading his knowledge with the new- comers so that they're up to speed. He also left his comments open to interpre- tation on whether or not Moore will be available at some point this fall. "He's gonna be meeting with the new transfers," Morgan said. "I haven't met anybody that's gotten hurt that's willing to come up here and meet with players, and they might not be able to play the first half of the season. That kid and his family have done a great job with him to do that. It takes a special person to do that." Michigan possesses experience at safety, headlined by graduate Makari Paige, a 6-foot-4, 208-pound two-time All-Big Ten honorable mention stand- out. Graduate Quinten Johnson played a support role last season but is back for his sixth year, and Mangham and Walker have both been starters at previous stops. However, Moore is a difference-maker with elite knowledge of the defense and high-level leadership skills. Having one person perform at the level he can isn't realistic. "We're not going to replace him," Mor- gan said. "It's gonna be a group effort to replace Rod Moore. I would be naive to say just one player is going to replace him. "But I do think if you look at who we brought in at the safety position along with Q and [sophomore] B-Hill [Bran- dyn Hillman] and [junior] Zeke [Berry], [junior] Kody [Jones] and all those guys that we have back there, we tried to bring in guys that have played a lot, because I do think experience matters. Even if it's a limited role, you know you have experi- ence, you know what you're going to get." — Clayton Sayfie Junior quarterback Alex Orji has focused this offseason on being a vocal leader, getting comfortable with his mechanics and reading defenses. He also talked about the benefits of being able to go up against the best defense in the country every day in practice. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN