ANN ARBOR, Mich. — If Michigan football is going to be more productive in the pass game as it intends to be, it will be in part due to the veterans — Cornelius Johnson and Roman Wilson — stepping up, as well as the younger players. And there’s one that stands above the rest in J.J. McCarthy’s eyes.
With Ronnie Bell gone, the Wolverines will be looking for a dependable receiver underneath and in the middle of the field. Enter Tyler Morris, the sophomore who saw limited time in 2022, but is ready to step into an increased role this season.
“Tyler Morris — he’s gonna make a big name for himself this year,” McCarthy said. “I’ve had that connection built since my sophomore year in high school. So he’s going to do great things. But also Peyton O’Leary. Darrius Clemons, the young bucks Fredrick Moore, Semaj Morgan, Karmello English — all those guys are showing up on tape. So they’re doing a great job. Coach Bell’s doing a great job coaching them up, same with Coach Goodrich. And it’s just been a lot of fun to see those guys kind of mold into their own.”
What makes the connection between McCarthy and Morris so special is that the duo played together in high school before the former transferred to IMG Academy. They have a bond that transcends the playing field, but, what’s more, McCarthy has a familiarity with Morris and Morris with McCarthy.
The quarterback feels that that will pay dividends once the balls are live this year.
“Yeah, that’s like a special connection to me,” McCarthy said. “I mean, going back to, like you said (Nazareth Academy), I used to call him Simba, me Mufasa and stuff like that.
“Going back to eighth grade, freshman year, when we played 7-on-7 together, like that’s my guy. That’s my day one. And, it’s one of those things where I feel like I could close my eyes and throw the ball and I know where he’s gonna be out of his break. So having that with everyone is my goal right now. But with (Morris), it’s just like that. It’s money.”
Michigan will start the season on Sept. 2 when it hosts East Carolina for a noon EDT game at The Big House. The game will be televised on the streaming service, Peacock.
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