Michigan football and JJ McCarthy have a not-so-secret weapon

Over the 2023 offseason, a major talking point for JJ McCarthy and the Michigan football offense was the emergence of Tyler Morris — a sophomore — as a breakout star receiver. Morris and McCarthy have some built-in chemistry from their days playing high school football together, and with the sophomore wide receiver now wearing Ronnie Bell’s No. 8, it’s becoming clear that the Wolverines have a not-so-secret weapon emerging on offense.

This Michigan football sophomore could be a star

JJ McCarthy and Tyler Morris have been rumored to have a special connection due to their days of high school football a few years back. Now, they are both Wolverines and have some common goals in mind — a Big Ten title and a National Championship.

Yesterday, we heard more from Morris, who was previously under the radar, yet is earning a bigger role for the Michigan football offense as of late. So, from his first year to now, where has Morris improved the most?

“I feel like just being more comfortable has just kind of helped me just be better all around,” the Michigan football wideout explained on Tuesday. “Route running — I feel like I’m stronger, more confident. I feel like, just all around, I feel like I’m improving.

“I think just focusing on details,” he continued when asked about his route running improvement. “That’s what it all comes down to. Understanding what the corner is thinking, understanding what you need to make them believe, and just doing your best to sell that.”

Morris filling a major need for JJ McCarthy on third downs

Tyler Morris has been filling a major role for Michigan football so far, though it’s one that gets less credit than it should. Morris is extremely reliable on third downs, which is something that the Wolverines need more of heading into Week 3, and then Big Ten play the following weekend.

“I feel like just being able to find open spaces, knowing what the quarterback is looking for, understanding down and distance, and just doing what you can to get open at the time the quarterback needs you,” Morris explained when asked about his elite third down play.

Tyler Morris can do more than catch passes

Tyler Morris can do a lot for Michigan football, including some special teams work. Last weekend, the sophomore wide receiver even returned a punt — something he wants to do more of for the Maize and Blue down the road.

“Yeah, I would love to return punts,” he explained. “It’s another way to get the ball in my hands. Anyway I can touch the ball somewhere, that’s what I want.”

Why Michigan football?

For Michigan football, offensive recruiting can sometimes be difficult due to the Wolverines’ offensive style. if you want a pretty offense that slings it around and runs fancy plays all the time, Michigan is likely not the place for you — Jim Harbaugh and Sherrone emphasize tough, gritty football. According to Tyler Morris, that was actually a major selling point for him.

“I feel like the mentality (made him want to play at Michigan),” Morris said. “It was sort of a tough mentality, do your job. You are gonna block for the run, you’re gonna catch passes, you’re gonna score touchdowns. I feel like that’s something I kind of grew up on was that you do your job no matter what it is because you’re protecting a family, and that’s what it is. And that’s, I feel like sometimes what it is to me.”

Wolverines return to action this weekend

This weekend, Tyler Morris and JJ McCarthy will look to dazzle once again en route to a 3-0 start to the 2023 season — Michigan football will welcome Bowling Green to the Big House on Saturday at 7:30 PM (EST). So far this year, Morris has hauled in three passes for 40 yards and returned one punt for a five-yard gain.

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