The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/589596
U-M has yet to develop a consistent third receiver, with redshirt freshmen Maurice Ways and Drake Harris, and freshman Grant Perry, constantly jock- eying for the role, but the need is not great with an abundance of tight ends factoring into the passing game. The unit has been a pleasant surprise, but needs to make more plays down the field to boost its grade. Best Player: Amara Darboh Most Improved: Jehu Chesson On The Rise: Drake Harris Impact Freshman: Grant Perry Running Back: B+ Reason For The Grade: Michigan's top four rushers — redshirt junior Drake Johnson, juniors De'Veon Smith and Derrick Green, and redshirt sophomore Ty Isaac — have combined for 916 yards and nine touchdowns, and have aver- aged 4.7 yards per carry. They have also lost only one fumble on the year. Though the four have a 60- and 76- yard rush this season, they are not big- play threats — they have just four total runs of 20 yards or more, and three of 30 yards or more. However, they have been instrumental to the offense's success, accounting for more than 40.1 percent of U-M's total offensive output this year. Smith has been one of the team's most critical players, his hard-nosed, brutish running style defining this team's per- sonality, while Johnson offers a quick, slashing back that has caused head- aches for adjusting defenses, and Green arrives in the fourth quarter to finish op- ponents off. Redshirt junior wideout Amara Darboh led the team in receptions (28), receiving yards (332) and touchdown catches (two) through seven games. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN