Sherrone Moore Shares Which Michigan WR Is Having A 'Phenomenal Camp'
Michigan lost its No. 1 receiver from last season. Ronnie Bell is off to the NFL after catching for 889 yards and four scores in 2022.
But Michigan returns both Cornelius Johnson -- who led the team in touchdown receptions in '22 -- and Roman Wilson is back. Both are experienced and both have shown the capabilities of being deep threats for J.J. McCarthy.
Speaking with the media on Thursday, offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore was asked about Wilson. Moore is excited to see what Wilson can do this year now that he's healthy and ready to go. According to the OC, Wilson has had a phenomenal camp.
"Roman's had a phenomenal camp," said Moore during media availability. "Just very excited for what he can do this year and how he's going to impact the offense. Obviously, the injuries have hindered him, but he's been healthy and ready to go. So just super excited for him and the progress he's made."
"I think you're just gonna -- you're gonna see what you saw throughout the year when he was playing. He's gonna be extremely consistent. He's gonna do what he's asked to do. And he's taken it to a new level because of the leadership role and the experience he has now. As you play more games you get better, and I think he's really done that. You can see the confidence and the twinkle in his eye when he's in the game. He's got a little bit of swagger, understands the game more, understands the offense now. He turns it up a little bit. So I'm excited to see him as a receiver this year."
Johnson and Wilson appear to be locked into the No. 1 and No. 2 role on the team. But what about that No. 3? There are a few players that are competing for the spot. But according to Moore, Michigan wants a receiver that's explosive and can take it to the house when he touches the ball.
"Yeah. I mean, really with all the receivers we don't really want a type," Moore said. "We want them all to be fast. We want them to be all be playmakers, be able to run after the catch. To all be explosive. We don't want to have a guy that's thought of as a possession guy, we want everybody to be explosive. The goal of the offense is if the ball touches your hand, you should be able to take it to the house. So all those guys are doing a great job."
Sophomore Tyler Morris is one of the receivers competing for the No. 3 job. From all accounts, the 5-foot-11 receiver is doing a great job in fall camp and McCarthy has a great connection with his former high school teammate. But coach Moore mentioned most of the receiving core on Thursday and said it's a wait-and-see as to who steps up come game time.
"Tyler Morris obviously doing a phenomenal job," said Moore. "You know, we got CJ, we got Roman, we got Tyler, you got these young guys, you got Darrius Clemens, these young freshmen they're just making plays. Fred Moore, Karmello English, Semaj Morgan, those guys are extremely explosive, and they're just making plays day by day. So we're just, you know, we're just going to see what happens throughout the process and see who steps up come game time, who's ready to go."
Michigan opens its season on Sept. 2 against East Carolina.
