Michigan Football: What will Grant Perry’s role be in 2017?
Now that Michigan football has reinstated Grant Perry, what will his role be in the 2017 season?
Just a few days ago, after a lengthy process, the Michigan football program fully reinstated wide receiver Grant Perry. That means he is a full go, which forces us to ask, what will his role be in 2017?
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Prior to the announcement that Perry would be reinstated by Michigan football, he was sentenced to 12 months probation for his role in an incident outside an East Lansing, Michigan, bar last October.
Regardless of how you feel about it, Perry will be a member of the Wolverines in 2017 and the reality, is that he is the most productive wide receiver returning.
Perry didn’t put up huge numbers in 2016, catching just 13 passes for 183 yards and one touchdown. However, part of that is due to Michigan having Jehu Chesson, Amara Darboh and Jake Butt.
Yet, as early as the 2016 Citrus Bowl against Florida, Perry has flashed potential. He has five catches for 51 yards and a touchdown in that game, but hasn’t really taken that next step since.
With open spots on the depth chart, this season should have been Perry’s to shine. If not for his legal troubles, he surely would have been a favorite to start or at least play a significant role.
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However, Perry missed all of spring football and returned just before fall camp. He has been practicing with the team, but his role at this point is unclear.
With Eddie McDoom, Kekoa Crawford, Donovan Peoples-Jones and Tarik Black, Michigan football is plenty deep at receiver. Yet, Perry does add an element of experience to a group that is otherwise lacking in it.
McDoom and Crawford both played a decent amount of snaps in 2016, but that still leaves the Wolverines counting heavily on freshmen, even if one of them is the nations No.1 recruit.
At this point though, the university and Jim Harbaugh believe Perry has been punished adequately. Therefore, with his status no longer in question, his on-field performance is the only thing that matters now. If he plays well, he will play. If not, he won’t.
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Right or not, Perry is back in the good graces of the program. Now, he has to earn his way back onto the field. But with his ability, plus UM’s lack of experienced wide outs, it’s not far-fetched at all. In fact, it wouldn’t be a shock to see him reappear Sept. 2 against Florida.