University of Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore officially announced Alex Orji as the starting quarterback for Week 4 on Monday afternoon. He told the media before the players.
The Wolverines were unaware of the decision prior to their press conference.
Davis Warren was named as QB1 prior to the season but he struggled with turnovers during the team’s 2-1 start. Moore ultimately decided to give him the hook after three interceptions against Arkansas State.
Orji was long considered to be the successor to J.J. McCarthy and was expected to be the starter when Michigan opened the season against Fresno State. That is not how things played out in Ann Arbor. The former three-star recruit was used mostly in a Wildcat-like situation as the backup. He is 3-of-6 for 15 yards and passing two touchdowns with 58 rushing yards through three games.
As the Wolverines turn their attention to the USC Trojans, Alex Orji will be listed atop the depth chart.
Moore has kept mostly quiet when it comes to roster decisions — or really any decision — during his tenure as head coach, even dating back to last season. Rarely does he make anything public.
His announcement on Monday was a big surprise to everyone, including the players.
Reporters asked running back Donovan Edwards about the switch. It was new news.
That’s the first time that’s been brought to my attention. I’m excited for Orji. He’s ready. He’s been prepared for this opportunity since he’s been here […]
Whoever’s in the huddle, we shut up and we listen to the play call and we go out there and execute, because they’re both phenomenal leaders at the end of the day. And we all have been in that period of time when somebody else was in the game. It’s a brotherhood around here, so we’re just going to continue to bond together and get through the season together.
— Donovan Edwards
Fifth-year senior Makari Paige gave a similar response.
I didn’t even know he was named the starter. So yeah, so the team gets a chance to meet here afterwards.
— Makari Paige
Weird.
Michigan typically holds its Monday meeting after the team’s media availability. Sherrone Moore’s first opportunity to tell his players about the quarterback swap was after he already told the reporters.
Whether intentional or not, a head football coach left his team in the dark about their starting quarterback. Perhaps it would’ve been a better idea to tell the team on Monday and the media on Tuesday. At the very least, it seems like Warren and Orji should’ve been made aware.