Michigan quarterbacks Alex Orji (10), Jayden Denegal (4), Jack Tuttle (13) and Davis Warren (16) practice before the UNLV game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.

Michigan QB Alex Orji to transfer

Alex Orji opted to head for the exits rather than await his fate at Michigan.

Faced with a backup role or position switch after the Wolverines signed No. 1 overall recruit Bryce Underwood, Orji became the second Wolverines quarterback to choose the transfer portal.

Head coach Sherrone Moore said this week that Davis Warren, who fell into a timeshare with Orji and Jack Tuttle for parts of the regular season, was preparing to start in the Wolverines’ bowl game.

A junior who started three games after Warren’s rocky start, Orji rushed for 260 yards and a touchdown in 2024. He completed only 23 of his 44 passes — setting career-highs with 10 completions, 18 attempts and 86 yards at Minnesota — with a touchdown and an interception. Orji’s longest career completion — also against the Golden Gophers — went for 16 yards.

A star high school quarterback in Texas, Orji rushed for 1,187 yards with 24 touchdowns as a senior. He played in nine games prior to the 2024 season.

Tuttle retired from football in October because of his fifth career concussion. Another Michigan junior quarterback, Jayden Denegal, confirmed earlier this week he entered the transfer portal.

Underwood, an in-state prospect originally committed to LSU, made a dramatic decision one week before early signing day to stay home and play for the Wolverines. LSU blasted the decision and program after reports surfaced that Underwood was paid over $10 million in NIL guarantees to jump to Michigan.

Quarterback play was inconsistent for Michigan with previous starter JJ McCarthy off to the NFL as a first-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings.

In addition to Underwood, Michigan signed quarterback Chase Herbstreit, son of Kirk Herbstreit, in the 2025 class.

–Field Level Media

Oct 19, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA;  Michigan Wolverines quarterback Jack Tuttle (13) throws against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Michigan undecided on starting quarterback vs. Michigan State

Slumping Michigan has not named its starting quarterback for Saturday’s rivalry game with Michigan State.

Wolverines coach Sherrone Moore said a decision will be made based on this week’s practices.

“We’ll just see as we go this week,” said Moore, whose team has one touchdown and five turnovers on its last 15 possessions dating back to the second half of an Oct. 5 loss at Washington.

The defending national champions have started three different signal-callers through seven games. The Wolverines’ three losses match their total from the last three seasons combined.

Davis Warren started the first three games, followed by Alex Orji for three starts. Jack Tuttle made his first start in Saturday’s 21-7 setback at then-No. 22 Illinois.

The effort against the Fighting Illini marked the first time Michigan had failed to score in double-digit points since a shutout loss to Notre Dame in 2014.

Warren has completed 48 of 72 passes for 444 yards with two touchdowns and six interceptions this season. Tuttle has thrown for 306 yards on 30-of-50 passing with one TD and two INTs. Orji has connected on 23 of 43 attempts for 148 yards with three TDs and one pick, while also rushing for 124 yards.

The Wolverines (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten) host the Spartans (4-3, 2-2) on Saturday night in Ann Arbor.

–Field Level Media