Sports

UNLV’s Jacked 235-Pound Quarterback Transfer Alex Orji Still Looks Like An Alien At New Program

by Last Updated
Alex Orji UNLV Jacked
iStockphoto / © Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

UNLV has one of the most interesting quarterback battles in college football with the additions of Alex Orji and Anthony Colandrea during the offseason. I expect the Virginia transfer to ultimately win the QB1 job over the Michigan transfer but the latter could finally see his breakout season with the right development over the next few months.

Starter or not, he still looks like an alien.

Orji, a three-star prospect in the college football recruiting Class of 2022, spent his first three seasons in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines used him sparingly as a runner during his freshman and sophomore years while J.J. McCarthy led them to back-to-back Playoff appearances and a national title.

He was the favorite to take over for McCarthy as a junior in 2024 but Davis Warren ultimately got the nod to begin the season. Head coach Sherrone Moore later switched to Orji at the start of Big Ten play and he led Michigan to a win over No. 11-ranked USC in his first-career start.

However, Moore sent him back to the bench just two weeks later. Orji went 2-1 in three starts, completing 25 of 47 passes for 150 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions. He also ran for 269 yards and a touchdown on 57 carries.

The limited usage as a junior led Alex Orji to hit the transfer portal during the offseason. Dan Mullen added him to the mix at UNLV alongside Colandrea.

New offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Core Dennis spent nine seasons at Ohio State coaching C.J. Stroud, Justin Fields and Dwayne Haskins. The goal is to develop Alex Orji into someone who is valuable as more than just a runner.

Listed on the spring practice roster at 6-foot-3, 235 pounds, he is an absolute unit. You literally can’t miss him.

His quads are the size of guys like Saquon Barkley and A.J. Dillon, not like a quarterback.

Alex Orji may or may not win the starting job. Either way, his new head coach is widely considered a quarterback guru. Even if UNLV can not get the Michigan transfer to an elite level as a passer, he will be used as a joker-like player in all kinds of specialty packages. It should be pretty fun to see him in Mullen and Dennis’ offense.

Play Episode
42min
Code Reds - Breaking Down All Things Cincinnati Baseball with Mike Petraglia
Code Reds Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo Emerging as Top Aces in National League
CINCINNATI -- While the offense still continues to struggle to find consistency without several key pieces, Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo have emerged as aces of the Cincinnati Reds staff. What does that mean for the 2024 Reds as the season approaches July? Could it help the Reds hold on long enough to make a playoff push? And what can the Reds realistically expect from the return of Noelvi Marte from his PED suspension? Trags welcomes Reds play-by-play voice Tommy Thrall to discuss this and much more on the latest Code Reds podcast.
Code Reds - Breaking Down All Things Cincinnati Baseball with Mike Petraglia
Code Reds: The Ship Is Sinking Fast On 2024 Reds. What Needs Fixing To Save It?
CINCINNATI -- From an inconsistent Alexis Diaz to a re-injured TJ Friedl, the Reds cannot catch a break. The season from injury hell continues and the Reds pitching staff once again looks like it's hitting a wall, and it's only May. What do the Reds and GM Nick Krall need to do to re-energize the clubhouse and help the players realize there's still hope for a playoff run? Trags welcomes Austin Elmore of ESPN1530 and 700 WLW to discuss all the possibilities.
Code Reds - Breaking Down All Things Cincinnati Baseball with Mike Petraglia
Code Reds Showing Signs of Life, Is Offense Awakening, Pitching Remains Anchor
The Reds appear to be slowly breaking out of their May slump, during which they won just six of 26 games. The offense is starting to heat up while the pitching is still carrying the load as the team looks to build momentum throughout June. The Reds won their first rubber game in nine tries Sunday in Chicago against the Cubs. Can the Reds put themselves on a pace to return to .500? Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer joins Trags to discuss on the latest episode of Code Reds.
Code Reds - Breaking Down All Things Cincinnati Baseball with Mike Petraglia
Code Reds: Trags with Gordon Wittenmyer on the early-season pitching, resiliency of 2024 Reds
CINCINNATI -- Despite injuries to TJ Friedl and Matt McLain, a suspension of Noelvi Marte, a rampant flu bug and a scare to Frankie Montas, the Reds are playing near the top of the NL Central. Can they sustain it. What will it take? Can Nick Lodolo rise to role of staff ace? What does Hunter Greene need to do to take that next step, a step critical to his development in Cincinnati? Trags addresses all these questions and much more in the latest episode of Code Reds with Cincinnati Enquirer Reds veteran beat writer Gordon Wittenmyer.