 Orji with theMichigan Wolverines in 2024 | |
| No. 1 – UNLV Rebels | |
|---|---|
| Position | Quarterback |
| Class | Senior |
| Personal information | |
| Born | (2003-11-10)November 10, 2003 (age 22) |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Weight | 235 lb (107 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Sachse (Sachse, Texas) |
| College | |
| Awards and highlights | |
| Stats atESPN | |
Alexander Orji (born November 10, 2003) is an Americancollege footballquarterback for theUNLV Rebels. He previously played for theMichigan Wolverines, where he won anational championship in 2023 as a backup, and started three games in 2024.
Orji attendedSachse High School inSachse, Texas. In two years as a starter, he completed 226 of 436 passes for 3,467 yards and 38 touchdowns and rushed for 2,113 yards and 39 touchdowns.[1] Orji was rated as a three-star recruit by247Sports,[2] and a four-star recruit byESPN, which ranked him No. 251 overall.[3] He originally committed to playcollege football forVirginia Tech, but de-committed from the Hokies and signed with theMichigan Wolverines.[4]
In 2022, Orji enrolled at theUniversity of Michigan. As a true freshman, he rushed six times for 37 yards and two touchdowns and completed his only pass attempt for five yards.[5] Orji scored his first career touchdown in his first career game, versus Colorado State on September 3, 2022.
In 2023, Orji wasJ. J. McCarthy’s back-up, finishing Michigan’s national championship season with 15 rushes for 86 yards and a touchdown. He did not attempt a pass. In week 8, Orji carried the ball five times for 27 yards and a touchdown in a win over rivalMichigan State.[6] In the week 13 victory versusOhio State he rushed twice for 22 yards,[7] also rushing twice for 15 yards in thenational championship game victory versus theWashington Huskies.
In 2024, Orji entered his junior season as the favorite to replace McCarthy as Michigan’s starting quarterback, competing withJack Tuttle,Davis Warren andJayden Denegal.[8][9] For the first game of the 2024 season versusFresno State, Orji was named a back-up to Warren and threw his first collegiate touchdown pass, a three yard reception byDonovan Edwards, while also rushing five times for 32 yards.[10][11] In week 3 versusArkansas State, Orji replaced Warren and threw his second touchdown of the season to secure Michigan’s win.[12]
In week 4 versusUSC,Sherrone Moore named Orji the starting quarterback for the start ofBig Ten Conference play; his first collegiate start.[13][14] He led the Wolverines to a 27–24 victory versus the No. 11 ranked Trojans, completing seven of 12 passes for 32 yards and rushing for 43 yards.[15] In week 5 againstMinnesota, Orji made his second career start, leading Michigan to a 27–24 win in consecutive weeks and retaining theLittle Brown Jug for the Wolverines. He was 10 of 18 for 86 yards, with a touchdown and his first career interception.[16] In week 6 versusWashington, Orji was benched after the first quarter in place of Tuttle after Michigan quickly went down two scores. Tuttle went on to be named the starting quarterback the following game, supplanting Orji as Michigan’s third starting quarterback in 2024.[17] In week 9, Warren earned his fourth start of the season versusMichigan State. Orji served as the change of pace quarterback, leading the team with 64 rushing yards and had a touchdown run for a second consecutive season against the Spartans in the 24–17 win.[18]
On December 13, 2024, Orji entered theNCAA transfer portal. In his three years inAnn Arbor, he had a 36–6 team record, won two Big Ten championships, and a national championship. He started three regular season games for theWolverines in 2024.[19] Despite being in the transfer portal, Orji remained with Michigan for theReliaQuest Bowl.[20] In the bowl game, Warren started the game but injured his knee in the third quarter, leaving the game with Michigan leading 16-10. Orji entered the game and took over as Michigan went on to win 19-13 against No. 11Alabama, defeating the Crimson Tide for a second consecutive season in a bowl game.[21][22]
On January 11, 2025, Orji transferred to theUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas for his senior season. He will have two years of eligibility remaining after using aredshirt year.[23] On September 6, Orji suffered two major injures during a week 2 win overUCLA. According to head coachDan Mullen, Orji suffered a grade 3LCL tear and a severehamstring injury; both injuries sidelined Orji for the remainder of the season.[24]
| Season | Team | Games | Passing | Rushing | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | |||
| 2022 | Michigan | 3 | 0 | — | 1 | 1 | 100.0 | 5 | 5.0 | 0 | 0 | 142.0 | 6 | 37 | 6.2 | 2 | |
| 2023 | Michigan | 6 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 15 | 86 | 5.7 | 1 | |
| 2024 | Michigan | 11 | 3 | 2–1 | 25 | 47 | 53.2 | 150 | 3.2 | 3 | 2 | 92.6 | 57 | 269 | 4.7 | 1 | |
| 2025 | UNLV | 3 | 1 | 1–0 | 3 | 3 | 100.0 | 37 | 12.3 | 0 | 0 | 203.6 | 10 | 42 | 4.2 | 1 | |
| Career | 21 | 4 | 3−1 | 29 | 51 | 56.9 | 192 | 3.8 | 3 | 2 | 100.1 | 88 | 434 | 4.9 | 5 | ||
Orji has two older brothers,Anfernee and Alston.[25] Anfernee has played for theNew Orleans Saints andTennessee Titans as alinebacker.[26] Alston played linebacker forVanderbilt andCampbell.[27]