The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1473191
THE WOLVERINE 2022 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 63 [ W I D E R E C E I V E R S ] ding into a long, snow-greased slide just short of the goal line. That catch set up a touchdown in Michigan's 42-27 win, and barely scratched the surface of Johnson's big season. He led the Wolverines with 39 catches for 620 yards and 3 touchdowns. He'll head into the 2022 campaign as an established, proven target for Michigan QBs. Wilson proved the second-most productive wideout for the Wolverines, making 25 catches for 420 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also managed to get under the skin of an OSU defensive back to the point that he got his helmet ripped off and slung away. Several Wolverines responded by backing the offender down without drawing a flag. The moment stood as a symbol for the Wolverines not retreating an inch against the Buckeyes in a con- vincing victory. Wilson should continue to build on his Big Ten championship- highlighted 2021 effort. "He's not the biggest guy, but he's really fast, with a great at- titude," Karsch mentioned. Anthony didn't get extensive run as a freshman, despite perform- ing in a dozen Michigan games. But no one will soon forget his breakout performance in East Lansing. The rookie managed 12 catches for 248 yards and 3 touchdowns on the season, but his first career grab went for 93 yards and a touchdown against Michigan State. That scintillating snag on a slant route highlighted a 6-catch afternoon producing 155 yards and a pair of scores from the East Lansing native. Anthony also secured a 35-yard touchdown pass against Georgia in the College Football Playoff con- test. He grew up playing ball with Clemons, and those two could represent a strong future for U-M pass production. "Last year you saw the physical gifts," Karsch observed. "It's a matter of getting used to the physicality of the game at the collegiate level. That comes as you get bigger, stronger and get more accustomed to it. "The big-play potential on Andrel Anthony is sig- nificant. It's very significant." Bell signaled what might have been a huge final season in a Michigan uniform when he caught a 76-yard touchdown pass in the opener against Western Michigan. But it all came crashing down moments later when, on a 31-yard punt return, he tore an anterior cru- ciate ligament in his knee. The crushing setback cost him the rest of a champion- ship season, but he stayed engaged, continuing to lead and encourage the Wolverines' younger receivers. Now, Bell's working his way back to potentially build on his last full season for U-M. As a sopho- more in 2019, he led the team with 48 catches for 758 yards and 1 touchdown. "The truth is, they survived that costly injury [ W I D E R E C E I V E R S ] THE WOLVERINE 2022 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 63 MICHIGAN'S LEADING WIDE RECEIVER BY YARDAGE SINCE 2012 Year Player Catches Yards TDs 2012 Jeremy Gallon 49 829 4 2013 Jeremy Gallon 89 1,373 9 2014 Devin Funchess 62 733 4 2015 Jehu Chesson 50 764 9 2016 Amara Darboh 57 862 7 2017 Grant Perry 25 307 1 2018 Nico Collins 38 632 6 2019 Ronnie Bell 48 758 1 2020* Ronnie Bell 26 401 1 2021 Cornelius Johnson 39 620 3 *Only played six games due to the COVID-19 pandemic PRESEASON ANALYSIS: STARTERS ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Fifth-year senior Ronnie Bell's return to the lineup this year should be huge for a group that was solid but lacked a true No. 1 option in 2021. Bell looked well on his way to being that before an ACL tear in the first half of the season opener. If his knee holds up, he is a good bet to be the team's WR1. Senior Cornelius Johnson devel- oped into a reliable target, while junior Roman Wilson adds straight-line speed to the corps. DEPTH ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Despite some strong pieces at the top, things could be fluid with the wideouts in 2022. Junior A.J. Henning and sophomore Andrel Anthony both were factors and big-play threats in role player designations last year. Freshman Darrius Clemons looks like he can make an impact out of the box, while Tyler Morris and Amorion Walker are his promising classmates. U-M is as deep here as any of its teams in recent memory. OVERALL ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The trajectory of this group is largely based on what Bell does in his return, but the pieces are there to offset whatever comes their way. U-M looks like it can go six deep, with a nice mix of upperclassmen and future fixtures on the roster. With a dedicated position coach for the first time since the 2018 campaign, look for this to be one of the most-improved units on the roster. "All the quarterbacks are going to have a bunch of great targets to throw to. Guys that are proven, guys that are coming in." HEAD COACH JIM HARBAUGH Junior Roman Wilson proved the second-most pro- ductive wideout for the Wolverines a year ago, making 25 catches for 420 yards and 3 scores. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL