Michigan Football: Will Roman Wilson live up to wearing No. 1?

Roman Wilson has changed his number to No. 1 which carries a lot of tradition in Michigan football history. 

Michigan football has finalized its roster for the 2023 season and there were some notable changes in terms of numbers and positions.

The biggest change in terms of player numbers had to do with Roman Wilson. The senior wideout from Hawaii will now be wearing No. 1 for the Michigan football team.

The four-star recruit has caught 25 passes in each of the past two seasons for the Wolverines with 420 receiving yards in 2021, as well as 376 in 2022. That was in addition to seven touchdown receptions.

Throughout fall camp, we have heard about how Wilson has emerged as a true No. 1 wideout for Michigan football and now, he’s wearing the No. 1 which has been reserved for greats in the past at wide receiver such as Anthony Carter or Braylon Edwards.

Jim Harbaugh didn’t necessarily have that high standard. Andrel Anthony wore the number last season and Amorion Walker is set to be No. 1 on the defensive side of the ball this season for Michigan football.

Here’s what offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore said about Wilson recently who is now wearing the number on offense as the top dude on the depth chart.

"“Roman has had a phenomenal camp,” Moore said. “Just very excited for what he can do this year and how he’s going to impact the offense. Obviously, the injuries have hindered him, but he’s been healthy, he’s been ready to go. Just super excited for him and the progress he’s made.”"

Wilson had five receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown in the Fiesta Bowl loss to TCU. Prior to that, he was battling injuries but went over 65 yards twice in games before getting hurt.

The potential is there for a breakout season and with him wearing the No. 1, it feels even more like he and the staff believe it will happen, although that number hasn’t paid off in recent memory.

We’ll see if Wilson changes that.