Michigan Football: Could Ronnie Bell lead Wolverines in receiving?

One of the key takeaways from Big Ten Media Days for Michigan football is the health of Ronnie Bell who could lead the team in receiving in 2022. 

Jim Harbaugh said a lot of interesting things during Big Ten Media Days on Tuesday as Michigan football took its turn at the podium.

Yet, among the many things that Harbaugh said that I found to be eye-opening was his description of Ronnie Bell’s health.

Bell suffered a knee injury in the season opener against Western Michigan and was out the entire 2021 season after being Michigan’s top pass catcher in 2019 and 2020. He also looked well on his way to a 1,000-yard season after a 70-yard touchdown catch.

Yet, Bell got hurt on a punt return. Despite that, the wide receivers ended up being really productive in 2021 and the room now is as talented as it has been in well over a decade.

There is NFL-level talent up and down the depth chart but when Harbaugh said that Bell was actually testing in some drills faster than before his injury, visions of a huge season began to dance in my head.

Bell could easily lead Michigan football in receiving

Earlier I made some bold predictions for the 2022 season and one was that Andrel Anthony was going to hit 1,000 yards. It was bold but with Bell being as healthy as he appears to be, I don’t see him needing much time, if any, to reacclimate and that means he’s the best candidate for 1,000.

Bell is going to be ready from day one and I expect him to quickly assume the role of No. 1 target. Michigan will miss Hassan Haskins on third downs, but having Bell back on the money down is going to be huge for this team.

He’s already got 83-career receptions and has averaged over 16 yards per catch. The quarterback room is stable and he’s got a bunch of talented dudes around him (not unlike 2019) and he should be able to dominate.

So if anyone is going to hit 1,000 yards receiving this season (it’s going to be tough), my money would be on Bell.

Cornelius Johnson, Roman Wilson, Andrel Anthony, A.J. Henning, and even guys like Darrius Clemons are going to make that tough, especially when you consider Michigan might have the best running-back tandem in college football too.

When you consider that Michigan football won 12 games without one of its best offensive players, the idea of having him back and fully healthy, just adds to the potential excitement for the 2022 offense, which should be the best Jim Harbaugh’s had at Michigan.