The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/666058
BY CHRIS BALAS L ast we saw Michigan wide re- ceiver Jehu Chesson, he was wearing a brace on his right knee, on the sidelines while his teammates were practicing in the hot Florida sun at IMG Academy in Bradenton in early March. Last most everyone else saw the fifth-year senior, Chesson was torch- ing elite Florida defensive back Ver- non Hargreaves III with five catches for 118 yards and a touchdown in the Wolverines' 41-7 drubbing of the Ga- tors on their home turf. The perfor- mance capped his breakout season and backed up his selection as team MVP after he caught 50 balls for 764 yards and nine touchdowns in 13 games. Chesson's return provides a huge boost to a receiving corps that fig- ures to be one of the Big Ten's best, assuming all stay healthy and depth develops behind the two big guns. In Florida this spring, fifth-year se- nior Amara Darboh (58 catches for 787 yards and five touchdowns in 2015) took the reins as the No. 1 guy and did plenty of damage against a Michi- gan secondary that should be among the nation's best. He more than looked the part of a co-No. 1 receiver, teammates said, living up to Chesson's standard — which is not an easy task. "Jehu is a product of hard work, passion, determination and a great attitude," sophomore wideout Grant Perry said. "He works his tail off, and with the help of this great coaching staff, it all came together for him. "I think he's a good role model for anyone that comes to Michigan — that if you work hard, listen to the coaches and develop yourself, you can get better and better as the years go on. I know that is my goal, and I definitely want to fill his shoes when he's done here." Chesson is one of the hardest work- ers he's ever seen, he added. "Even right now when he's not practicing, he's just grinding," Perry said. "Everyone was saying Florida has these great DBs, but Jehu went SURE-HANDED OPTIONS Wide Receivers Take Another Step Forward In The Spring