Michigan football: 3 Best qualities of the Wolverines offense

Most under-ranked receiver corps

Outside of maybe Alabama, UM has the best wide receivers in all of college football, at least according to their 247 sports ranking.

Michael Onwenu’s Cass Technical teammate, Donovan Peoples-Jones, arrived on campus as the No.1 wide receiver in the country and 12th overall. Tarik Black was ranked as the 15th WR, and Nico Collins came in at 23.

The two reasons those three have not garnered the national attention they deserve is injury and misuse.

The offense of old was designed after the offenses before it. Very few spread plays and a heavy run game intended to manage the game and maximize time of possession.

In two seasons, the number one ranked wide receiver from the 2017 class has yet to break 700 receiving yards in a single season. In contrast, Alabam’s top pass catcher, Jerry Jeudy, caught 68 passes last season for 1,315 yards which barely broke the top ten among receivers.

To find the last Michigan football receiver to break 1,000 yards, you have to go back to Brady Hoke’s 2013 squad which featured Jeremy Gallon. That year, Gallon caught 89 Devin Gardner passes for 1,373 yards.

While Collins and DPJ have been underutilized, Black can’t stay healthy enough to remain on the field. In two seasons, Black has participated in a grand total of six games before going down with an injury.

Luckily, the message from camp has been that all three are ready to go for this season, and with the new spread offense, all three will be able to show why they are the top receiver corps in the country.

Behind the talented trio is Ronnie Bell, who will be returning kicks in addition to his back up role. The unexpected potential starter is Mike Sanristil who will see time at the slot and in certain other offensive packages. What the 5-foot-10 Sainristil lacks in size he more than makes up for in speed, which is precisely what Gattis was looking to add to his RPO scheme.