What We Know
There are two wide receivers on Michigan’s roster that are pretty much guaranteed a starting spot: Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson. Both receivers have significant experience in competitive game action and are household names for Michigan fans.
While Cornelius Johnson has cemented himself into Michigan football folklore with his legendary performances against Ohio State, there are still question marks surrounding how good he can become. After leading the team in receiving yards in 2021, there was speculation that Johnson may be due for a breakout season in 2022. However, his total yardage actually regressed. His talent and experience lead us to believe that 2023 could be the year he fully realizes his potential.
Roman Wilson started last season favorably and appeared to be setting the stage for special things to come. JJ McCarthy found him early and often, as he reeled in 16 catches for 253 yards in his first 6 games. Then, unfortunately, he appeared to be banged up for the remainder of the regular season and never quite regained his footing. In the CFP semi-final against TCU, Wilson put an exclamation point on his seasonal stat line with 104 yards and a score (which should have been 2 scores). Could his performance in the playoff loss hint at what is to come this season? I think so. I have been on record stating I believe Roman Wilson could become Michigan’s first 1000-yard receiver since Jeremy Gallon in 2013.
What We Think We Know
The most obvious question becomes who will be the third receiver on the field in traditional 3-wideout sets. Based on the fall camp rumor mill, it appears Tyler Morris is solidifying himself as that third option.
Jim Harbaugh says Michigan’s freshman WRs “have had a great fall camp.”
— The Floor Slap (@TheFloorSlap) August 19, 2023
Roman Wilson & Cornelius Johnson are the top receivers with Tyler Morris likely to take Ronnie Bell’s role.
But Fred Moore, Semaj Morgan, & Karmello English could earn big roles for @UMichFootball in 2023〽️ pic.twitter.com/9pgAZcAgij
Roman Wilson will likely slide over to the slot, allowing Tyler Morris to line up wide opposite Cornelius Johnson. Morris, a 4-star recruit out of Illinois, recorded just 3 catches for 25 yards in his freshman season but seems poised to make a leap forward this year.
If Morris doesn’t step into a starting role, the next most logical name would be fellow sophomore Darrius Clemons. Or perhaps spring game standout Peyton O’Leary, however, that seems less likely considering he’s been nursing injuries in fall camp. And then there’s always Cristian Dixon, a guy who is often overlooked and was seen making a nice one-handed grab in practice while I was writing this article.
What We Don't Know
Michigan brought in 3 freshman wide receivers in the 2023 class, and we have yet to find out exactly how they will be utilized this year. Karmello English, the highest-rated of the three, wasn’t an early enrollee, which probably signifies that he won’t be utilized as much early in the year.
Semaj Morgan out of West Bloomfield is having a good camp thus far, but if any of the freshman receivers are positioned to hit the field in meaningful action it would likely be Fredrick Moore. The word from camp is Moore has hit the ground running and may be able to compete to become a part of the rotation.
However the receiver lineup in Ann Abor shakes out, one thing is certain: the pressure is on Michigan’s wide receiver room. Traditionally a run-centric offense, it appears the 2023 rendition of the Michigan Wolverines has set an intention to fully integrate a downfield attack into their game plans. If Michigan is going to fulfill its goal of competing in the College Football Playoff, the wide receivers will undoubtedly need to get more involved.
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