Michigan Football: Top 5 position battles heading into the spring

Wide receiver will be fascinating

The only top player leaving at wide receiver is going to be Donovan Peoples-Jones, but replacing him in the lineup and how it’s done will be interesting to watch.

Nico Collins is obviously going to be one starter on the outside and he will be Michigan football’s top deep threat. Yet, he wasn’t the Wolverines most productive wideout last season. That distinction goes to Ronnie Bell, who did an outstanding job in the slot, catching passes for 758 yards.

What’s interesting is whether or not he will see more time on the outside? And then it sort of depends who else emerges. If it’s Cornelius Johnson and Giles Jackson as the other two “starting” wide receivers because the Wolverines will likely use some spread sets, that would be ideal.

But other guys like Erick All, who’s actually a tight end, will be worth keeping an eye on. If he and Nick Eubanks can be effective as pass catchers playing tight end, that will keep a receiver on the bench more.

Incoming freshman A.J. Henning should have an impact, however, in the spring Johnson, Jackson and Mike Sainristil are the guys to watch.