The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/698673
THE WOLVERINE 2016 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 73 WIDE RECEIVERS Ways could return for this season. That depends on the healing process, and there's been no word on his progress. "He has decent size," Karsch said. "I think he has a chance to make some impact. There was a formation they used last year where Mo Ways lined up with his hand down at the end of the line, in a tight end spot. I was always intrigued by what might come out of that." Mitchell didn't make a catch in the spring game, but he's now the most experienced of Michigan's rookie targets and the most physi- cally imposing. Others have a chance to step up as the summer gives way to fall. "I couldn't believe how big he was," Karsch marveled. "I couldn't believe he was a true freshman. It speaks to the physical tools he has. It's really up to his work ethic, his prepa- ration and an opportunity being created where he can get on the field. "A lot of wide receivers can play as true freshmen. One of my takes as the sideline re- porter is how physically unprepared most freshmen are. When you see one that passes the look test, you kind of raise an eyebrow. It wouldn't surprise me if he gets on the field." As for the huge cast of frosh at wideout, the sorting out process will soon begin. "True freshmen can play at that position, but my guess is there are going to be a lot of redshirts handed out," Karsch noted. "Still, I can see why receivers with great skills can play. It's not as physical a game. You don't have to be as strong. If you're shifty enough, you can find yourself in position to make plays. "That's why a Brad Hawkins or an Eddie McDoom might find themselves ahead of somebody on the depth chart that we don't see coming. When you're good, and it starts to show early, there's no reason to keep them off the field." All of the newcomers will learn very quickly about Harbaugh, Perry noted. His rookie im- pressions were all about his competitiveness and inspiration along the way. "The way we carried ourselves in practice, we weren't going to be a team that just won five games again," Perry said. "We were set for better things. "His pregame talks and postgame talks are pretty fired up. They get us all going and give us a lot of energy. He's probably the biggest competitor I've ever met. "That's not just football; that's every thing in life. He just always wants to win, whether it's the charity softball home-run derby or the Citrus Bowl." Harbaugh has some veterans who have already caught on, and a whole new wave that's about to do so as well. ❏ Fifth-year senior wide receivers Jehu Chesson and Amara Darboh will form one of the Big Ten's most potent pass-catching duos this season. A year ago, they teamed up for 108 catches, 1,491 receiving yards and 14 touchdown grabs. Given the sort of rhythm involving a new quarterback that they achieved with gradu- ate transfer Jake Rudock a year ago, the Chesson-Darboh combo could meet or exceed those numbers. Such an effort would put them up among the best Michigan receiving tandems ever. Here's a look at the most productive pairs in Michigan history, for a single season. 1. Mario Manningham and Adrian Arrington, 2007 — This pair produced Michigan's greatest tandem receiving numbers ever in Lloyd Carr's final season as head coach. They teamed for 139 catches, 2,056 receiving yards with 20 touchdown receptions; Manningham accounted for 72 grabs, 1,174 yards and 12 touchdowns on his own. The two posted the big numbers despite senior quarterback Chad Henne experiencing arm issues down the stretch, prior to a big finish over Florida in the Capital One Bowl. 2. Braylon Edwards and Jason Avant, 2004 — This combo tore it up in Henne's freshman year at quarterback, teaming for 135 receptions, 1,777 receiving yards and 18 touchdown catches on the way to a Big Ten title and the Rose Bowl. Edwards alone cradled 97 receptions for 1,330 yards and 15 touchdowns on his way to an all-time Big Ten career receiving record. Avant added 38 catches and 447 receiving yards, prior to his 1,000-yard season a year later. 3. Braylon Edwards and Jason Avant, 2003 — This Big Ten title season featured the same crew, in the warm-up act. Edwards and Avant secured 132 catches between them, ac- counting for 1,910 yards and 16 touchdowns. Edwards led the way with 85 grabs for 1,138 yards and 14 touchdowns in John Navarre's final year at quarterback. 4. David Terrell and Marquise Walker, 2000 — This tandem made the most of quarter- back Drew Henson's last campaign in a winged helmet. It piled up 116 receptions for 1,829 yards and 18 touchdowns. Terrell by himself caught 67 passes for 1,130 yards and 14 scores, helping the Wolverines snag a share of the Big Ten championship. 5. David Terrell and Marcus Knight, 1999 — Terrell began to hit his stride in this season, and Knight provided a solid complement for fifth-year senior Tom Brady, who finished his career in strong fashion and hoped to make it in the NFL. The receiving duo made 110 catches for 1,832 yards and 13 touchdowns, and Terrell led the way with 71 catches for 1,038 yards and seven scores. Honorable Mention • Tai Streets and Marcus Knight, 1998: 109 catches, 1,638 yards, 12 touchdowns • Amani Toomer and Mercury Hayes, 1994: 90 catches, 1,685 yards, seven touchdowns • Braylon Edwards and Ronald Bellamy, 2002: 113 catches, 1,565 yards, 15 touchdowns • Roy Roundtree and Darryl Stonum, 2010: 121 catches, 1,568 yards, 11 touchdowns • Desmond Howard and Yale Van Dyne, 1991: 101 catches, 1,485 yards, 21 touchdowns • Jeremy Gallon and Drew Dileo, 2013: 105 catches, 1,547 yards, 11 touchdowns — John Borton Year-By-Year Receiving Leaders Year Player Catches Yards TD 2015 Amara Darboh 58 727 5 2014 Devin Funchess 62 733 4 2013 Jeremy Gallon 89 1,373 9 2012 Jeremy Gallon 49 829 4 2011 Junior Hemingway 34 699 4 2010 Roy Roundtree 72 935 7 2009 Roy Roundtree 34 434 3 2008 Martavious Odoms 49 443 0 2007 Mario Manningham 72 1,174 12 2006 Steve Breaston 58 670 2 Mario Manningham (No. 86) teamed with Adrian Arrington (16) to form the most potent receiving duo in U-M history — the two com- bined for 139 catches for 2,056 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2007. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN Top Michigan Receiving Duos In History