The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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70 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2015 FOOTBALL PREVIEW WIDE RECEIVERS BY JOHN BORTON J edd Fisch insists Michigan's wide receivers can make plays. They just need to do it, more often and more forcefully, according to their new position boss. It's not like they haven't been put on notice. "They've been certainly challenged," Fisch said. "There is no spot given to anybody, just because they've caught the ball before. There is no starter at that position right now. "They've got to all step their game up. It's the most important posi- tion in the game of football. They're the guys who produce points. They're the guys who produce an explosive play, which leads you to points, or that produce a touchdown." The Wolverines' wideouts produced a couple of mishandled passes that led to interceptions in the spring game. That drew an undesired spotlight, but the 2015 crew has time to work toward a better result. Fisch is demanding they be competitive for the football, whether it involves securing the ball when they're about to take a hit, going up to make the tough catch, etc. They need to fight for it on every play, he noted. Redshirt junior Amara Darboh heads the list of potential playmak- ers, having caught 36 passes for 473 yards and two touchdowns a year ago. "He had a very good spring," Fisch said. "He fought back from a little bit of an injury early on in spring, that first practice. He came out every day and never stopped working. I love his work ethic. "He catches the deep ball nicely. He has a good understanding of the game and what we're trying to get done. I think he's got a chance to do something for us this year, and it will be fun to see that." Jehu Chesson is another redshirt junior who possesses some tools (and 29 career grabs for 375 yards), along with an increasing locker room presence. "Jehu is a great personality, a great leader," Fisch opined. "He's somebody that stands alone in terms of his speed. He's got elite speed. What I want Jehu to do is play at that speed, every play. Guys need to feel threatened by his speed, knowing that he can run by them at any time. "He's quite a leader and a good wide receiver for us. He's some- body that can make an impact." Redshirt sophomore Jaron Dukes caught the only touchdown pass PLAYMAKERS WANTED Wideouts Are Looking For Someone To Step It Up Redshirt junior wideout Amara Darboh is the leading returning re- ceiver for Michigan, after making 36 catches for 473 yards and two touchdowns in 2014. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL Leading Receiver Year-By-Year Player Team Year Player Receptions Receptions Percentage 2014 Devin Funchess 62 189 32.8 2013 Jeremy Gallon 89 237 37.6 2012 Jeremy Gallon 49 169 29.0 2011 Junior Hemingway 34 155 21.9 2010 Roy Roundtree 72 243 29.6 2009 Roy Roundtree 32 189 16.9 2008 Martavious Odoms 49 165 29.7 2007 Mario Manningham 72 225 32.0 2006 Steve Breaston 58 206 28.2 2005 Jason Avant 82 238 34.5