Michigan football: Andrel Anthony could be a star in 2022

In 2021, Michigan football found many surprises week in and week out. One of the better surprises for the Wolverines was standout freshman receiver Andrel Anthony. After a head-turning freshman season, Anthony could be gearing up for even greater things in 2022.

Anthony’s freshman season

At the beginning of 2021, Andrel Anthony was not considered one of the Wolverines’ top targets. In fact, Anthony would not see meaningful playing time until late October, where he would finally become a part of the action in Michigan football’s 33-7 win over Northwestern.

Anthony would still remain under the radar until October 30th, against Michigan State. During the Wolverines’ first possession against Michigan State, Anthony would catch a 93-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Cade McNamara. Still, this monstrous catch would only be the start of the young receiver’s night.

Anthony would catch five more passes, six in total, for 155 yards and two touchdowns in the Wolverines 37-33 loss to the Spartans. This would be Michigan’s only regular-season loss en route to a 12-2 season and a Big Ten title.

Following the Michigan State game, Anthony found a more significant role in Michigan’s offense for the remainder of the season.

Though Anthony would not replicate his performance against the Spartans, he was given more and more opportunities to prove that he could be a starting wide-out.

Anthony caught 12 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns in 2021. These numbers are undoubtedly impressive for a freshman, but this is only the beginning for Anthony.

What is to come in 2022?

2022 will see most of Michigan’s offense returning, especially at wide receiver. If Anthony wants a starting role with the Wolverines moving forward, he will compete with Michigan stand-out players such as Ronnie Bell (returning from injury) and Roman Wilson.

Regardless of where Anthony starts on this season’s depth chart, there is no doubt that he will find a place in Michigan’s offense.

Anthony is too talented and brings too much to the table for the Wolverines to keep him off of the field, so there is a good chance that Anthony’s playing time will spike.

Whether Cade McNamara or J.J. McCarthy is starting week one should not matter. Both McNamara and McCarthy connected with Anthony numerous times this past season and will likely continue to find him moving forward; however, it is worth pointing out that McCarthy and Anthony seem to have an on-field connection that McNamara is not a part of. This is only an observation, though.