The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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SEPTEMBER 2024 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 19 READY FOR MORE At 5-11, 185 pounds, Morris isn't the most imposing pass catcher the Wolver- ines have ever dressed. But some of the best to ever play in Ann Arbor weren't big, either — Anthony Carter (1979-82) and Desmond Howard (1989-91) both come to mind — and Morris does have some playmaking experience. He saw action in every game last season, start- ing four games at receiver, and he also contributed as a punt returner in nine games. He hauled in 13 passes for 197 yards with the 1 score in which he got to show his speed when it mattered most. He's anxious to prove he can do it consistently. "Even though that was my only one, it happened on one of the biggest stages in football," Morris said of his Rose Bowl touchdown. "The way I see it, if I did it there, I feel like I can do it any game. "But I want to be able to play all around. If it's a week we want to target the slot, I want to be there. If it's a week we want to target outside, I want to be there. If it's a week we're going to run the ball a lot and they need somebody blocking, I want to be there. Anything they need from me at the receiver posi- tion, I want to be the guy to step in and do it." So do his coaches, who have seen enough of him that the junior receiver has earned their trust. "It's kind of his time," offensive co- ordinator Kirk Campbell said at the be- ginning of camp. "We view him as a starter. He started last year from 11 per- sonnel [three receivers], and he needs to step up in that role." Morris insists he's ready for the chal- lenge. A larger contribution is one he welcomes and believes he's ready for. "I definitely think so," he said. "I feel like I did my time waiting, so I feel like this year, being one of the older guys and being seen as a leader in the room, this is my year to step up." Just as several before him did. Last year, Wilson and Cornelius Johnson were the guys. Now, it's his turn. He said he's learned from them and will attempt to emulate what they accomplished in their storied careers. "I'm trying to take what I saw them do and apply it to this year, understand- ing that I'm one of the older guys in the room right now," Morris said. "You've kind of got to be more of a teacher talk- ing to guys about how to handle certain situations, how to go about studying the playbook, reading defenses. "Anything I can do to help that I learned from one of them, I'm trying to take and teach some of the younger guys." The goal is clear: to make the Michi- gan wide receiver room formidable once again. ❑ MICHIGAN'S LAST FIVE 1,000-YARD RECEIVERS Michigan offenses were generally run-heavy and shared the wealth under former head coach Jim Harbaugh, and new coach Sherrone Moore seems to share the same philosophy. The Wolverines are going to "Smash!" when they can, Moore indicated — he essentially uses the word as his mantra — while being op- portunistic in the passing game. But new offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell wants to throw the ball, too, and he has op- tions. It seems a long shot, though, to expect a 1,000-yard receiver this year after 10 straight years without. Here are U-M's last five 1,000- yard (season) receivers. Jeremy Gallon, 2013 (1,373 yards) Gallon's is the most prolific receiving season in Michigan football history. He caught 8 passes for 184 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 41–30 victory over Notre Dame early in the year, still tied for the seventh-highest single-game per- formance in school history. He later hauled in 14 passes for 369 yards and still second all-time in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision history behind Troy Edwards, who notched 405 yards for Louisiana Tech in a 1998 game. Mario Manningham, 2007 (1,174) The 6-foot standout broke the 100-yard bar- rier in seven games in 2007 despite quarterback Chad Henne suffering a shoulder injury that limited him for the last half of the year. He reg- istered a high of 162 yards in a win over Purdue, had a record 97-yard touchdown reception at Wisconsin, and scored 12 touchdowns. Jason Avant, 2005 (1,007 yards) Avant spent much of his career behind Bray- lon Edwards, but 2005 was his time to shine. The Wolverines struggled to a 7-5, injury rid- dled season, but Avant eclipsed 90 yards in the first five games of the season and notched 8 touchdown receptions. Braylon Edwards, 2004 (1,330 yards) The elite receiver's best game, an 11-catch, 189-yard, 3-touchdown performance in a 45- 37 triple overtime win over Michigan State, remains one of the top single-game perfor- mances at any position in Michigan history. Edwards scored twice in the fourth quarter and again in overtime, notching 18 of the Wolver- ines' last 32 points. He recorded seven 100-yard plus games and 15 scores in his senior year. Braylon Edwards, 2003 (1,138 yards) Edwards' second of three consecutive 1,000- yard seasons included six games of 100-plus, in- cluding a 130-yard, 2-touchdown performance in a win over Ohio State. He also scored 14 touchdowns. — Chris Balas Last year, Morris caught 13 passes for 197 yards (15.2 average) and 1 touchdown while also returning 9 punts for 88 yards (9.8 average). PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN ATHLETICS