Michigan football: Why the wide receiver depth chart is wide open
Michigan football has a wide open depth chart at wide receiver, here is a breakdown of what it might look like in 2017.
When a team loses as many starters and playmakers as the Michigan football did after the 2016 season, every position is going to a see a scramble. But no position may be as unsettled right now as wide receiver.
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With Amara Darboh and Jehu Chesson gone, and Grant Perry’s status still in question, though he’s back to practicing, the team has some mighty big shoes to fill. The good news is that recruits keep coming.
Michigan football landed a couple of big-time receivers during the last recruiting cycle – five-star Donovan Peoples-Jones (who joined the team in January) and four-star Nico Collins (who chose Michigan over Alabama on signing day, but who won’t be joining the team until this week).
A year ago the smart money would have been on veterans Maurice Ways and Drake Harris to step up and win starting roles. But with so much talent coming on board behind them, they might not be getting many touches this season.
Ways looks as though he’s headed to a back-up role, and unconfirmed (but reliable) reports have Harris heading to the safety position, where the Wolverines definitely need some help.
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Considering that Harris was one of the most anticipated receivers to join Michigan football a couple of seasons ago, it’s surprising that he hasn’t distinguished himself more than he has. Harris played in 10 games last season and started one. That was against Michigan State, and he caught a four-yard pass.
So, where does that leave us?
The honest answer is, With a lot of question marks. By graduating from high school early and joining the team for spring practice, Peoples-Jones obviously has a leg up on the young guys. I expect to see him get some playing time against Florida in the season opener, much like another five-star recruit, Rashan Gary, saw the field early last year.
Nico Collins is a getting a later start than Peoples-Jones, so we may not see him right away, but I expect that Collins will get some playing time as the season progresses.
Who does that leave? Well, Tarik Black, Kekoa Crawford, Eddie McDoom, and Nate Johnson. I expect these guys, especially McDoom, to get an early shot, based on their experience, but they’re going to be pushed – and pushed hard.
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The athleticism and self-confidence I saw in Peoples-Jones in the Rome practices tell me he’s going to be in the mix sooner rather than later. You can’t keep a talent like that on the sidelines for long.