ANN ARBOR, Mich. — One of the big question marks entering Saturday’s season opener against Fresno State is how Michigan football’s wide receiving corps will be.
Though there are some solid players — Tyler Morris, Semaj Morgan, Amorion Walker — they’ve been role players to this point. But everyone inside Schembechler Hall insists that Morris, in particular, is much more viable than being a role player.
Morris showed that off in his first (and only) touchdown of his two-year career, when he took a short pass the distance in the Rose Bowl against Alabama. Outrunning the entirety of the Crimson Tide secondary, Morris showcased just how explosive he can be.
And his teammates say that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
“I feel like T. Mo., he really stepped into his leader role — he’s been here for a few, three years,” sophomore WR Semaj Morgan said. “This is his third year coming up, I feel like he’s really stepping into that leader (role). That playoff scene against Alabama last year, I’m telling you, he’s way crazier than that. And I’m just real happy for T. Mo., going into this year knowing the type of camp that he is having. Any type of spring ball that he had. I’m just looking forward to seeing what he’s gonna do.”
What does it mean that he’s ‘way crazier’ than that play? WolverinesWire asked Morris on Tuesday what he’s been doing in fall camp that’s given Morgan that impression, and while he humbly didn’t jump to a handful of plays he’s made in practice, he shared more about his versatility and what he feels like he’s capable of.
“I don’t know, I guess it could be a little bit of everything,” Morris said. “I guess sometimes people don’t necessarily see me as somebody that could stretch the field or somebody that’s necessarily fast, but I feel like I can do it all. And that’s what I want to bring to the team this year is just somebody that, whatever role we need, I can step up and make a play.”
Michigan will need Morris to step up if it is to defend its national championship or go on any kind of College Football Playoff run. It all starts on Saturday when the Wolverines hold their season opener at The Big House.