Alex Orji named 'prohibitive favorite' in Michigan quarterback battle by Pete Thamel

Heading into his first season as the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines, Sherrone Moore has a fascinating decision at quarterback to make.

The choice to replace J.J. McCarthy is down to Alex Orji and Davis Warren. The duo has been sharing reps in practice, neither able to truly separate themselves. However, ESPN’s Pete Thamel revealed it’s Orji who’s the current leader in the clubhouse.

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“I can tell you that Sherrone Moore doesn’t want you to know who the quarterback is going to be,” Thamel joked, regarding Moore keeping his plans close to the vest, via ESPN. “The prohibitive favorite for the last couple months has been Alex Orji. He’s obviously a multi-dimensional, third-year player, dual-threat. He’s got dynamism. He’s got explosion. He would bring an element of quarterback-run game to Michigan that they may need, breaking in five new starting offensive lineman. The problem, of course, is that he’s attempted a grand total of one forward pass in his Michigan career.

“Davis Warren, more of a pure drop-back. Not a ton of experience for him either. I would expect we end up seeing both throughout the course of the Fresno State game. Certainly, if it’s lopsided, they’ll give both a shot. Again, the thought is to start with Orji and go from there.”

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Orji, the prohibitive favorite per Thamel, is a former four-star recruit in the 2022 cycle and a phenomenal athlete. He got some playing time last season, playing in six games primarily as a rushing threat.

Meanwhile, Davis Warren made three appearances last season for Michigan in mop-up duty. Now, it’s been fairly even for the two in terms of the reps they’re sharing, but someone will have to start against the Bulldogs.

“It’s been pretty even,” Moore said. “They’ve done a really good job of it. It’s been even snaps throughout. Maybe it’s one with him, one with the next guy. It’s been an even distribution. Those guys have done an outstanding job and obviously made it very hard for us to make a decision right now.”

Even with the immense turnover in Ann Arbor, Michigan will be expected to make the College Football Playoff. Whether they do or not might hinge on the quarterback Sherrone Moore chooses to lead his team in 2024