Michigan Wolverines’ signal-caller Alex Orji had a visit lined up to see Temple on Wednesday. Looks like Orji’s got to scratch that visit off his list. It came out on Friday night that he had taken a visit to UNLV—but that Sherrone Moore didn’t know right away. Orji’s visit must’ve been a hit because, on Saturday evening, the former Wolverine committed to the Rebels. That move is punctuated by the reaction of one of the most decorated running backs in Ann Arbor, showing his true colors with it.

Despite flying largely under the radar this season, Moore’s captain and RB Donovan Edwards will be one of the most talented and decorated players entering the NFL draft this year. He reacted to his ex-passer’s transfer to the Rebels shared by Hayes Fawcett of On3 that read, “BREAKING: Michigan transfer QB Alex Orji has Committed to UNLV, he tells @on3.” While Orji’s departure wasn’t entirely unexpected, Edwards’ reaction certainly turned heads.

The Michigan captain and likely NFL-bound running back shared a post about Orji’s transfer on Instagram, throwing in a pair of clapping emojis—“🙌🙌.” It was brief, simple, and yet said everything about Edwards’ support for his former teammate.

Alex Orji, the towering 6’3″, 235-pound signal-caller who traded maize and blue for the scarlet and gray of the UNLV Rebels and split time under center during Michigan’s up-and-down 2024 season, decided to embrace a new chapter after visiting the desert. “It felt like a great opportunity to go out to Vegas with Coach Mullen and Coach Dennis,” Orji told ESPN. “It’s an opportunity to cultivate a winning culture.”

Orji’s decision comes on the heels of Michigan flipping five-star+ Bryce Underwood, the nation’s top-ranked gunslinger, from LSU. With Underwood’s arrival and a crowded quarterback room that included Davis Warren and Jack Tuttle, Orji’s path to significant playing time at Ann Arbor became murky.

Despite the challenges, Alex Orji still showcased flashes of potential during the 2024 season. He completed 25-of-47 passes for 150 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions, adding 269 rushing yards and a score in relief appearances. His final outing in the ReliaQuest Bowl win against Alabama offered glimpses of his dual-threat capability.

UNLV, however, offers Orji a clean slate. The Rebels, under the guidance of Head Coach Dan Mullen, are looking to turn the corner in a competitive Mountain West Conference. With two seasons of eligibility remaining, Orji has a chance to not only elevate his own game but also help UNLV build a winning culture—a task he seems genuinely eager to embrace. For a player who’s had to share the spotlight, Vegas might just be the perfect stage to take center stage.

Will Alex Orji still be QB1 while playing for the Rebels?

UNLV is heading into 2025 with a clean slate under center—and a lot of excitement brewing. Last season, the Rebels started with Matthew Sluka at QB1, but his season was cut short after just three games due to an NL conflict. Stepping up to the plate, Hajj-Malik Williams took the reins and led UNLV to an incredible 11-win season, their first in Mountain West history. Not bad for a team that faced mid-season turbulence!

However, with Williams declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft, the Rebels now find themselves back at square one when it comes to their quarterback situation. With Alex Orji, a promising new face in the Rebels’ QB room, which is also home to Virginia transfer Anthony Colandrea.

Both Orji and Colandrea bring potential and hunger to be the QB1 that could define UNLV’s 2025 season. It’s shaping up to be a battle of raw talent versus experience as camp approaches this summer.