The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/956415
APRIL 2018 THE WOLVERINE 35 PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM "Donovan Peoples-Jones is a big, physical guy. He's got to figure it out. Opponents are going to press him a lot, until he proves that he can get off the line of scrimmage. Late in the year, he did a better job of getting off the line and getting into his route. "If you can't get off the line of scrimmage, if you're delayed, it throws the timing of everything off. People are going to jam him up, and he's got to learn to get off. Wisconsin was his best at doing that." — U-M All-American Jon Jansen QUOTABLE 2018 SPRING FOOTBALL PREVIEW. WIDE RECEIVERS T he numbers on last year's wide receivers ought to come with an as- terisk. First off, they went through three quarterbacks, two of whom sustained significant injuries. Second, when the QBs were upright, they all too often didn't have a lot of time to throw the football. Third, freshmen and sopho- mores dominated this group of receivers. Those sound like excuses, but stand as reasons. Now, though, they all need to take a Braylon Edwards-over- an-MSU-defensive-back-sized leap toward the future, which is now. Michigan needs to get better behind center, but this group can assist mightily with route- running, blocking, and developing the strength and confidence to become standout performers. They've got a new set of eyes on them, with former Florida head coach Jim McElwain taking over as wide- outs coach. BY THE NUMBERS 5 Returning Michigan receivers with at least 10 catches in 2017. However, the group co mb in ed fo r j us t 86 receptions, which gained 1,057 yards and three scores. 25 Catches in 2017 by senior receiver Grant Perry, the fewest by a Michigan-leading wideout since Greg McMurtry with 21 in 1987. 110th U-M's national rank in passing offense last fall, with an av- erage of 171.2 yards per game. That figure ranked 11th in the Big Ten. 307 Receiving yards in 2017 by Perr y, the fewest for a Michi- gan leader since Paul Seal's 254 in 1973. POSITION BATTLE TO WATCH M i c h i g a n g e n - erally starts only two outside wide receivers, and Tarik Black's re- t u r n l e a v e s the Wolver- i n e s w i t h several young and talented options. If Black and Donovan Peoples-Jones stay on the rise, it's going to significantly push veterans like Kekoa Crawford, not to mention other return- ing 2017 freshmen such as Nico Collins. WHO'S GONE DRAKE HARRIS Switched to defense prior to the fall, but then returned to offense and snared a 10-yard catch against Ohio State. He will play next year at Western Michigan. JACK WANGLER The son of former Michigan quarter- back John Wangler saw snaps in four games during his final year as a Wolver- ine. MAURICE WAYS A strong blocker at wideout, Ways ap- peared in 10 games during his final U-M season before pursuing a grad transfer, ending up at Cal. WHO'S BACK SOPHOMORE TARIK BLACK Black looked like a difference maker in three non-conference games, before an injury ended his season. Despite playing in just three games, he totaled 149 receiving yards, which placed him fourth among U-M wideouts and led the squad at the time of his injury. SOPHOMORE DONOVAN PEOPLES- JONES Peoples-Jones earned the team's 2017 Rookie of the Year award, and he'll be looking to build on 654 all-purpose yards, including 22 catches for 277 yards. JUNIOR KEKOA CRAWFORD Michigan's leading receiver in the Out- back Bowl (61 yards), Crawford wound up with 17 catches for 243 yards and one touchdown during the 2017 season. SOPHOMORE NICO COLLINS The 6-4, 206-pounder put his long, lanky frame into four games as a rookie, with a pair of catches for 15 yards in the Outback Bowl, and carries the promise for much more in 2018. TOP NEWCOMERS REDSHIRT FRESHMAN OLIVER MARTIN The 6-1, 198-pounder was the only one of Michigan's four rookie wideouts who didn't see action last year, but he carries considerable potential as someone who could step up this season. FRESHMAN RONNIE BELL Bell is the only incoming rookie listed as a wide receiver, following last year's big haul by the Wolverines, and the Ri- vals.com two-star prospect will look to use his quickness to draw notice. BY JOHN BORTON PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN TARIK BLACK