A burning question for the Michigan football offense heading into fall camp

Fall camp starts today for the Wolverines, who are gearing up for another run at the Big Ten Championship Game, College Football Playoff, and much more. Right now, the Michigan football offense looks as strong as it has ever been during Jim Harbaugh’s nearly 9-year tenure as head coach in Ann Arbor, though it faces a burning question ahead of the season opener on September 2nd: who is going to emerge as the top wide receiver option for second-year starting quarterback JJ McCarthy?

Michigan football must find a new top wide receiver for JJ McCarthy during fall camp

Last year, Ronnie Bell led the way for the Michigan football offense as the top wide receiver for sophomore JJ McCarthy. However, Bell has since moved on to the next level, leaving the Wolverines with some major question marks out wide heading into 2023. It has been a long offseason thus far, but we are now just a month from kickoff, and Michigan needs some answers.

The first two names that come to mind are Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson, who have both had some illustrious moments in the Maize and Blue thus far but have yet to consistently display incredible ability. The Michigan football offense needs a reliable threat — someone like Ronnie Bell, Nico Collins, Jehu Chesson, and so on; a player that JJ McCarthy can trust to lob it up to or find in open space.

Cornelius Johnson has the frame to be a massive threat to opposing defenses, yet has lacked shiftiness in some moments, and is yet to really become a true 50/50 threat for the Wolverines. That said, as Johnson heads into what will likely be his final year in Ann Arbor, he could take the next step and become JJ McCarthy’s new favorite receiving target.

Roman Wilson, on the other hand, lacks the large frame but makes up for it with speed off the ball and an incredible ability to get open in tight coverage. These are both impressive traits, though with Michigan’s run-heavy scheme last year, we are yet to really see what he can do on a consistent basis.

Other names to keep an eye on as the 2023 season approaches

Another two under-the-radar options that I will mention here are Donovan Edwards and Peyton O’Leary. Both are not expected to be major players for the Michigan football offense when it comes to the passing game, but are both quite capable and could become names to watch during the early stages of the season. They are both having a great offseason and have proven results on the field, so keep them in the back of your mind when September 2nd rolls around.

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