The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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28 THE WOLVERINE ❱ APRIL 2024 BY CLAYTON SAYFIE M ichigan won't only have a new starting quarterback in 2024 after two seasons with J.J. McCarthy under center, but the Wolverines will also have a wide receiving corps that looks much different. Cornelius John- son and Roman Wilson — mainstays in the starting lineup — are off to the NFL, taking 245 receptions, 3,745 yards and 34 touchdowns with them. Between their departures and the team's top six offensive linemen head- ing to the NFL, the offense lacks experi- ence at key positions, but there are some emerging pass catchers who have waited their turn and could break out. Junior Tyler Morris and sophomore Semaj Morgan flashed last season, while sophomores Karmello English and Fredrick Moore also impressed in prac- tice and limited game action. Morris hauled in 13 receptions for 197 yards last season, including a 38-yard touchdown in the Rose Bowl against Al- abama, and he often came up big in key moments. Despite checking in eighth on the team in total receptions last season, his 8 third-down grabs ranked third. In terms of breakout candidates for this coming season, Morris is an ob- vious choice. Much like Wilson talked heading into 2023 about how his lack of production stemmed from a lack of op- portunity, Morris has the chance to be more of a focal point with more oppor- tunity, after logging 344 offensive snaps last year (14th on the Michigan offense). "I'm trying to get better in any way I can, because I expect to play a different role than I have," Morris said. "I'm just trying to get ready to step up as best I can." Morgan is an electric athlete in space, and Michigan made it a priority to get him the ball when he was in the game last season. He was targeted on 27 of his 75 receiving snaps, totaling 22 recep- tions for 204 yards and 2 touchdowns. He added 4 rushes for 67 yards and 2 scores. The 5-foot-10, 176-pounder saw 18 of his catches come within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage, including 14 of them behind the line — and 157 of his 204 re- ceiving yards came after the catch. Finding a bigger "X" receiver to replace Johnson might be the most pressing task for Michigan this offseason. After Dar- rius Clemons transferred to Oregon State and senior Cristian Dixon moved to de- fense, there are only two wideouts who have played in games and stand 6 feet or taller, according to the roster — Moore (6-1) and Peyton O'Leary (6-3). Moore is one to watch. Wilson said at the NFL Combine that the entire corps is "underrated," but he singled out Moore as the one fans will be talking about next season. "He's got the size, the speed, the work ethic," Wilson explained. "I think he's going to be a dawg this year and next year and the year after. That's my guy." With a new head coach, offensive co- ordinator, quarterback, running backs and offensive linemen, it's hard to proj- ect exactly what Michigan's offense will look like in 2024. Even with a potential first-round NFL Draft pick in McCar- thy under center, the Wolverines ranked 122nd in the country with 24.1 pass at- tempts per game, due in part to playing a slow pace (124th in plays per game) and leaning on the run game (53rd in rush attempts per contest). However, it'll be important for the wide receivers to be reliable and show up in big moments, much like they did in helping the team win the national championship in 2023. ❑ WIDE RECEIVERS New Cast Of Pass-Catching Targets ❱ AT A GLANCE Position Coach: Ron Bellamy (third season with WRs; fourth at U-M) Returning Starters: None Departing Starters: Cornelius Johnson (44 career starts), Roman Wilson (23) Contenders To Start: Karmello English (So.), Fredrick Moore (So.), Semaj Morgan (So.), Tyler Morris (Jr.; 4) Top Reserves: Kendrick Bell (So.), Peyton O'Leary (Sr.) Newcomers: Channing Goodwin (Fr.), I'Marion Stewart (Fr.) As a true freshman in 2023, Semaj Morgan hauled in 22 receptions for 204 yards and 2 touch- downs, and he added 4 rushes for 67 yards and 2 scores on the ground. PHOTO BY DOMINICK SOKOTOFF