The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/140507
wr Leading Receiver Year-By-Year Year Player 2012 Jeremy Gallon 2011Junior Hemingway 2010 Roy Roundtree 2009 Roy Roundtree 2008 Martavious Odoms 2007 Mario Manningham 2006 Steve Breaston 2005 Jason Avant 2004 Braylon Edwards 2003 Braylon Edwards Player Receptions 49 34 72 32 49 72 58 82 97 85 Team Receptions 169 155 243 189 165 225 206 238 248 284 Percentage 29.0 21.9 29.6 16.9 29.7 32.0 28.2 34.5 39.1 29.9 Big Ten Rankings Players 1. Jared Abbrederis, R-Jr., Wisconsin — An honorable mention All-Big Ten receiver a year ago, Abbrederis is the conference's top returning producer at the position after accumulating 55 receptions for 933 yards (16.9 yards per catch) and eight touchdowns in 2011. 2. Keenan Davis, Sr., Iowa — The speedster aims to step into the feature wide receiver role for a pass-oriented Iowa offense following the graduation of top target Marvin McNutt. 3. Kenny Bell, R-So., Nebraska — The 6-1 standout utilized his quickness and acceleration to lead Nebraska in all major receiving categories as a redshirt freshman in 2011, but he must take an even more prominent role in 2012 for a Husker offense that has struggled passing the ball in recent years. 4. Roy Roundtree, 5th-Sr., Michigan — The fifth-year senior regressed in a newlook offense last season after a stellar redshirt sophomore campaign in 2010, but he hopes to bounce back for a Michigan pass attack in search of a go-to receiver following the graduation of Junior Hemingway. 5. Kofi Hughes, Jr., Indiana — Hughes led a youthful Hoosiers offense with 35 receptions for 536 yards (15.3 yards per catch) and three touchdowns as a sophomore, and also carried the ball 27 times for 162 yards (6.0 yards per carry). 6. Corey Brown, R-Jr., Ohio State — Brown was recruited heavily by first-year Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer while Meyer was at Florida, and his explosiveness figures to fit into a spread offense that relies on receivers to make plays after the catch. 7. Antavian Edison, Sr., Purdue — Nicknamed "Breeze," Edison has displayed flashes of an all-conference skill set, but must overcome recent off-the-field issues in order to develop into a premier receiver for incumbent quarterback Caleb TerBush. 8. Demetrius Fields, 5th-Sr., Northwestern — Fields must utilize his large frame and route-running ability to provide a steady target for a Wildcats offense facing uncertainty without graduated standout pass-catchers Jeremy Ebert and Drake Dunsmore. 9. Justin Brown, Sr., Penn State — The senior possesses a combination of size and speed that should help a Penn State passing game that averaged only 117 yards through the air per game in 2011. 10. Jeremy Gallon, R-Jr., Michigan — The diminutive receiver is the Maize and Blue's top returning pass-catcher from 2011, when he pulled in 31 balls for 453 yards (34.8 yards per reception) and three scores. He is at his best in space, both after the catch and in the return game. Units 1. Wisconsin — The Badgers boast the most prolific returning receiver in the conference in redshirt junior Jared Abbrederis, but need another receiver to step to the forefront in the absence of former playmaker Nick Toon, who was selected in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft. 2. Iowa — Despite the loss of leading receiver Marvin McNutt to graduation, the Hawkeyes return arguably the most naturally talented receiver in the conference in senior Keenan Davis, and are expecting a breakout season from sophomore Kevonte Martin-Manley. 3. Penn State — Although it remains uncertain who will be distributing the pigskin in 2012, the Nittany Lions possess reliable pass-catching weapons in senior Justin Brown, junior Alex Kenney and senior Shawney Kersey. 4. Ohio State — Senior Corey Brown is the most highly celebrated returnee for the Buckeyes, but the biggest playmaker of the bunch in 2012 may be freshman Michael Thomas, who enrolled early and was impressive throughout spring practice. 5. Purdue — The fortunes of the Boilermakers' passing game will rely on the uncertain future of their top returning receiver, senior Antavian Edison, who racked up more than 500 receiving yards in 2011 but was arrested on felony weapons charges in May 2012. 102 ■ The Wolverine 2013 Football Preview As a matter of fact, Hecklinski insisted Jackson might supply the answer to the annual question of who might jump up and surprise people this season. The coach stressed it won't be a surprise inside Schembechler Hall, but could catch those looking for a freshman name off guard. "He's made some plays, but we've always had guys who have been more the focal point," Hecklinski said. "Now it's his turn to be that way. I would look for him to be on the field in different positions, and on the field at times when plays need to be made. "He's a senior, and a senior should play like a senior here at Michigan. That's the type of spring he had." Sophomore Amara Darboh (6-2, 213) created plenty of buzz inside Michigan Stadium when he hauled in a sideline bomb from Gardner on the very first play of the spring game. Darboh carries an expectations tag despite not catching a pass last year, when he gleaned experience through special teams action. There ought to be some measure of anticipation regarding Darboh, Hecklinski cautioned. He's progressed to the point of becoming an offensive weapon. "You've got a young guy who got his feet wet, which was on purpose," Hecklinski said. "That decision [to play him] was very, very good. We knew between him and Jehu [Chesson], they were going to have to play this year and play prominent roles." The classmates saw a year of separation come between them, in terms of eligibility, when Chesson's fall camp back injury wound up resulting in a redshirt season. The upside means U-M doesn't lose them both after the same season sometime down the road, Hecklinski said. Senior Jeremy Jackson grabbed four catches for 31 yards a year ago, but after making a solid contribution in the spring game he may be ready for a breakout effort in his final campaign at Michigan. photo by per kjeldsen