Michigan Football: 5 players that need to step up in 2018

Time for Peoples-Jones to realize his potential

When Donovan Peoples-Jones signed with Michigan football, it was really exciting. He had all the tools to be an elite receiver and he chose to come to UM, after being ranked as the top player at his position in the 2017 recruiting class.

Unfortunately, Peoples-Jones struggled to live up to the hype. Tarik Black out-performed him in spring practice and then again to start the season. Once Black went down to injury, there wasn’t as much concern as normal, because of Peoples-Jones. It seemed like he would slide right into that No. 1 role without a hitch.

But there was a hitch or at least some issues with drops and poor quarterback play. Peoples-Jones got open a lot, especially down the field. However, he never seemed to come down with the ball. And while his return skills were a big help, UM needs a playmaker at receiver, not on special teams.

If he does, and with Black across from him doing the same, Michigan football could quickly have one of the best pass-catching tandems in the Big Ten, if not the country.