ESPN names Michigan's X-Factor for the 2024 season

If the Wolverines' offense is going to roll in 2024, Michigan will need a guy to really step up.

Trent Knoop | Jul 19, 2024

Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; The Michigan Wolverines logo in the end zone before the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Washington Huskies at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

If the Michigan offense is going to maintain what it did last season, or take a leap in 2024, the Wolverines will need several players to step up. A couple of question marks surrounding the Wolverines' offense is at quarterback and some people question the Michigan wide receiver corps. The maize and blue did lose both starting WRs last year in Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson.

But then-freshman Semaj Morgan and then-sophomore Tyler Morris both shined at times for Michigan in 2023. Both will be asked to take a much larger role in '24 with the hopes that guys like Fredrick Moore, Amorion Walker, C.J. Charleston, and Kendrick Bell can all make plays for the Michigan offense.

But according to ESPN, one guy that Michigan will need to lead the way for the Wolverines in '24 is junior wideout Tyler Morris. Jake Trotter calls Morris the Michigan X-Factor.

The Wolverines lost go-to receiver Roman Wilson to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the NFL draft. But that could create an opportunity for junior Morris to shine in his spot. Morris showed what he could do with a blistering 38-yard touchdown reception down the sideline in the CFP victory over Alabama. The Wolverines are banking that Morris can give them a lot more plays like that as their new go-to receiver.
- Jake Trotter (ESPN)

Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Tyler Morris (8) runs for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2024 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

As wide receiver No. 3 last year, Morris caught 13 passes for 197 yards and one touchdown. Some people are looking at Semaj Morgan to be that go-to guy for the Wolverines in 2024 with his flashy and explosive play. But that's what makes the combination of Morris and Morgan a potential threat for the Wolverines. Morgan is that explosive playmaker where he can make guys miss and get upfield in a hurry, but Morris reminds you more of that possession receiver with reliable hands.

When you factor in Colston Loveland, the No. 1 target heading into 2024, the Wolverines just might have a better pass-catching trio than some may think. Some teams will elect to double-team Loveland on passing downs which will allow both Morris and Morgan to win one-on-one battles and both are more than capable of doing so.

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