Michigan Football Preview 2015 – Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

Projected starters at wide receiver: Amara Darboh and Jehu Chesson

Could be a factor: Freddy Canteen, Moe Ways, Drake Harris if he can stay healthy, Brian Cole if he doesn’t redshirt

Watch out for next year: Brian Cole, Grant Perry

Last year, Michigan’s wide receiver corps consisted of Devin Funchess and a bunch of just another guys. This year, after Funchess’ departure, they’re down to a bunch of just another guys. Amara Darboh was a solid #2 option for Michigan last year, how he handles being the #1 option this year – I don’t know. The offense should take a massive step forward (achieving basic competence constitutes a major step forward), so that should help. A redshirt junior this year, Darboh is on the taller side at 6’2”. He’s got good hands and can go up and get passes left for him.

Fellow redshirt junior Jehu Chesson should be a real factor in the offense this year if for no other reason than he is a very good blocker for a receiver. As far as the actual receiving part – who knows? He has 29 career catches – 14 last year and 15 in 2013. The offense last year was an absolute mess and Chesson was behind a couple guys on the depth chart, so what Chesson is capable of this year is up in the air (no pun intended).

Sophomore Freddy Canteen could end up as a slot receiver. He only had five receptions last year as a freshman, but he’s a very good athlete with a lot of potential. Another potential slot receiver is freshman Brian Cole, who was Michigan’s top recruit this year. Cole enrolled early but did not make a huge impact in the spring game. He’s good enough to see the field this year, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see him redshirt.

Redshirt freshman Drake Harris came into Michigan with a lot of potential, but has been plagued with hamstring issues. If he can stay healthy, Michigan could have a very nice receiver. Sophomore Moe Ways is another big body to watch out for this year. He has not yet caught a pass at Michigan.

Freshman Grant Perry was a high school teammate of quarterback Alex Malzone. He was originally a Northwestern commit. He will almost definitely redshirt this year

Projected starter at tight end: Jake Butt

Could be a factor: Khalid Hill, A.J. Williams, Ian Bunting, Chase Winovich if he stays at TE, Henry Poggi if he ends up at TE

Watch out for next year: Tyrone Wheatley, Jr. if he ends up at TE

Junior Jake Butt could very well end up being Michigan’s top receiver this year, because a) the wide receivers Michigan has are less than spectacular and b) Jim Harbaugh’s offense is extremely favorable to tight ends. Though he’s a solid blocker, he’s a better receiver, and it’s the passing game where Butt will really shine, due to his ability to create mismatches. Ian Bunting should be able to create those mismatches as well, though the redshirt freshman may still need to bulk up a little more before he becomes a viable option here. Given Michigan’s situation at receiver, though, he may see some time there.

Senior A.J. Williams was an offensive lineman in high school and still struggles with the receiving aspect of the position. He’s an okay-at-best blocker. Redshirt sophomore Khalid Hill has been a better blocker and receiver than Williams and should see significant playing time if his ACL has healed.

Redshirt freshman Chase Winovich was a linebacker until this spring and probably needs to add more size. True freshman Tyrone Wheatley, Jr. was a four-star recruit out of high school, where he played both tight end and defensive end. He probably ends up playing tight end at Michigan. He likely redshirts this year.

Redshirt sophomore Henry Poggi is listed as a TE on Michigan’s roster going into fall camp. He played some TE during the spring, but ended up at DE during the spring game. I’ll talk more about him in the D-line preview.

Twitter: @KSchroeder2325

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