The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/178977
Big Producer Jeremy Gallon Paces Developing Group Of Receivers J By John Borton eremy Gallon had just finished doing his part to destroy Notre Dame, catching eight passes for 184 yards and three touchdowns. He executed everything but the Chicken Dance in humbling the Irish. The latter isn't his style. Instead, after the performance that eventually garnered him Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors, Gallon poked fun at himself. Asked how tall he is and how tall he plays, the fifthyear senior quipped: "I'm 5-8 and a half, but I play like I'm 5-9." He burst into a grin, along with everyone close by. Opposing defensive backs, meanwhile, are not laughing. Gallon is humming along heading into the Big Ten season, leading the Wolverines with 22 catches for 328 yards and four touchdowns through non-conference play. That's no surprise to Michigan wide receivers coach Jeff Hecklinski, who insisted last spring that Gallon ought to be a first-team All-Big Ten performer this year. Hecklinski reiterated that in Gallon's case, size means very little. "His strength and his mental toughness allow him to succeed," Hecklinski said. "He's out to prove that he's not a short receiver. He's out to play above his 5-8, and that mentality and mental toughness allow him to do that. "There's his strength. His squat partner is [6-8, 315-pound] Taylor Lewan. His lifting partner is usually an offensive lineman, because he is so strong. It takes too long to change out the weights if he lifts with another skill position player. That overall strength and mental toughness he has to persevere is considerable, and he's fearless. He's not afraid to make a play." Gallon has been made a number of them, increasingly so since redshirt junior Devin Gardner took over at quarterback. The duo has worked together forever, and it showed in Gallon's production over the final five games last season.