Michigan has added size, depth at WR. What does that mean for the offense?

ANN ARBOR – Michigan receivers coach Ron Bellamy can discover a drastic change in his receiver room simply by wanting round.

The Wolverines addressed one among their most urgent wants this offseason by including measurement to the place. They introduced in 6-foot-5 graduate switch Donaven McCulley from Indiana and three freshmen all a minimum of 6 ft – Jamar Browder (6-5), Jacob Washington (6-3) and Andrew Marsh (6-0) – with the hopes of augmenting a sagging passing assault from 2024.

The outcomes have been noticeable up to now this spring, Bellamy advised reporters Monday.

“What the bigger guys give you is the one-on-one matchups,” Bellamy stated. “You can throw the ball up to those guys. Most people call them 50/50 balls, but if the ball’s in the air, it’s ours. That’s the mentality we have.

“And when you’re starting to roll out 6-3, 6-4, 6-5 guys—most of those guys have basketball backgrounds. Ball’s in the air, it’s rebounds to them. They’re boxing people out, using their big body. That’s something we did not have last year for the most part. We do now. We feel good about the additions that we made to address that. But to me, it takes stress off the play-caller and the quarterbacks.”

Michigan combined and matched a bevy of receiver combos in 2024 trying to find options to its struggles by the air. NFL-bound Colston Loveland was as dependable as they arrive on the tight finish place, however Michigan didn’t have any wideouts emerge as a No. 1 goal.

It’s relying on McCulley, who had 48 catches for 644 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2023 earlier than being restricted to 2 video games final season, to be that lacking piece on the surface.

“That’s what he’s ascending to,” Bellamy stated. “He’s on track to do that. He’s just got to keep attacking it and challenging himself every day. He’s been a great addition thus far.”

There’s larger expectations from the group behind McCulley, too. After dropping their high two wideouts from their 2023 nationwide championship staff in Roman Wilson and Cornelus Johnson, plus a handful of underclassmen, the Wolverines had been left with minimal confirmed choices to exchange them. The attrition was evident with no wideouts eclipsing 250 receiving yards in 2024. Main receiver Tyler Morris transferred to Indiana, however a crop of underclassmen gained useful expertise by adversity in 2024.

Semaj Morgan and Fred Moore are each getting into their third seasons and anticipated to take a leap in 2025. The 5-foot-10 Morgan broke out late in his freshman season in 2023 however was restricted to 27 receptions for 139 yards final yr. Moore, listed at 6-foot-1, is hoping to construct on his efficiency within the ReliaQuest Bowl, the place he had three catches for 37 yards and a rating.

“Thus far, we’ve seen the best version of Semaj and Fred,” Bellamy stated. “They’re just older, more experienced guys. They know what their roles are. They know what the expectations are.”

Add in redshirt freshmen Channing Goodwin and I’Marion Stewart, plus the trio of true freshmen, who Bellamy stated have impressed early, and Michigan is best suited at receiver getting into 2025.

“This is probably one of the deeper rooms we’ve had since I’ve been at Michigan. Obviously, we’ve got work to do. Guys still have to go prove themselves. But it’s not just young guys forced to play.

“Everyone’s chasing someone. To me, that creates competition. And if it’s healthy, it brings out the best version of the kids. I’m super excited about the competition we have in our room because we’re a deeper unit. We’ve still got to put the work in.”

The Wolverines could have a brand new quarterback behind middle to start 2025, though they’ve but to call a starter. With five-star freshman Bryce Underwood within the combine, together with graduate switch Mikey Keene, who reportedly hasn’t practiced this spring due to damage, Michigan is hoping for extra steady quarterback play this season. It additionally has a brand new offensive coordinator in Chip Lindsey, whose offense averaged greater than 400 yards in each of his two seasons at North Carolina.

“I just think it’s more opportunities — let’s just say that,” Bellamy stated. “More opportunities for the receivers. And those guys know they have to be detailed at everything they do. It’s been great.”