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Jim Harbaugh reveals Michigan QB taking reps as kick returner
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Jim Harbaugh and his Michigan staff are thinking outside of the box, utilizing one quarterback as a kick returner during fall camp. While it is still early in the process, Harbaugh is not backing down from seeing an elite potential in the idea.
The player is Alex Orji, a second-year QB Harbaugh believes could be one of the best return men of all time if given a chance. Orji’s size (listed at 6-foot-3 and 236 pounds) and his explosiveness make him a candidate to be good at the role.
“A secret plan for Alex Orji. He’s got a chance to be maybe one of the greatest kick-returners of all time,” said Harbaugh. “Big 235-pound guy — he just started doing it, we’ll see how it goes. He’s also excelling at quarterback, so there will be some decisions that have to be made.”
JJ McCarthy is obviously entrenched as the starter at QB for Michigan, but Orji helps provide depth in the room. As for the idea of Orji returning kicks, Harbaugh said the blocking of the return team needs to improve before the idea would get serious traction.
“Our kickoff return blockers have seen what Alex can do as a kick returner, but the challenge is on them to get better. Get better at their fundamentals and techniques, and give him a chance,” Harbaugh said. “Because if we can make it happen, it would be really special.”
Last season, Orji was 1 of 9 Michigan players to complete a pass to go with 37 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. He was originally a 3-star commitment out of Sachse High School in Texas via the 2022 recruiting class.
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.