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Michigan football: what does Cornelius Johnson’s return mean for U-M?

On Sunday, Michigan football received a number of major returnees. Among these is Cornelius Johnson, a starting wide receiver.

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Nov 26, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Cornelius Johnson (6) runs the ball for a touchdown after he makes a reception in the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

On Sunday, a number of Michigan’s top starters from its 2022 squad announced that they will be heading back to Ann Arbor in 2023. To start the day, the Wolverines’ two-time All-Big Ten right guard, Zak Zinter, announced that he will be back in 2023. If that was not big enough news for the day, Michigan starting linebacker Mike Barrett announced that he would be back soon after. Finally, as the day came to a close, Cornelius Johnson — one of Michigan’s top wide outs — announced that he will also be back in 2023.

What does Johnson’s return mean for Michigan football?

Cornelius Johnson is one more weapon that will be on Michigan’s sideline in 2023. So far, the Wolverines’ offense — which ranked No. 6 in scoring and total offense in 2022 — is looking unstoppable yet again in 2023. Under center will be rising junior JJ McCarthy who will have Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards behind him in the backfield.

If the best RB duo in the nation was not enough, Michigan is returning much of its 2022 offensive line — including Zak Zinter and Trevor Keegan — which won the Joe Moore Award for the second-straight year. Additionally, the Wolverines are adding three more experienced and talented transfer lineman to the room via the transfer portal.

Now, Michigan will return one of its top receivers from the 2022 team: Cornelius Johnson. In Michigan’s biggest game of the 2022 season — a 45-23 win at No. 2 Ohio State — Johnson caught four passes for 160 yards and two touchdowns. The Wolverines were looking a bit thin at wide out, so this returnee is much appreciated and is just another weapon in the Wolverines’ arsenal.

Cornelius Johnson in for a huge year in 2023

Johnson will be in his fifth year with the Wolverines in 2023 and should be in for a massive season. After the 2022 season, we know that JJ McCarthy is a phenomenal starting QB and is capable of putting up gaudy numbers when the Wolverines open up the playbook for him.

Now that McCarthy and Johnson have put up huge numbers in big time games, such as Michigan’s win over Ohio State, I suspect Jim Harbaugh and Co. will be much more willing to open up the playbook for McCarthy and Johnson to connect downfield frequently.

FOOTBALL

A new breakout player is emerging during Michigan’s spring practices

All Michigan fans need to know this kid’s name heading into the 2023 season.

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Michigan football breakout player Tyler Morris
© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

ANN ARBOR, MI — You may not have heard his name much just yet, but there is a key breakout player on Michigan’s offense during spring practices right now. As we turn the page to the 2023 season this fall, Tyler Morris is a name that all Michigan football fans need to be keeping an eye on.

Tyler Morris is standing out during the Wolverines’ spring practices

The Michigan football team is seeing a new standout right now: Tyler Morris, a rising sophomore wide receiver in the Maize and Blue. According to the coaching staff, Morris is on the rise as we head into the 2023 season in just a few short months. According to The Wolverine, Morris has been mentioned frequently as an up-and-comer thus far, and could have a breakout season this year. Here is what Morris had to say:

“I feel like it’s going good. For me, it’s just a lot more comfortable,” Morris told The Wolverine. “Last year, freshman year, you’re trying to figure everything out, [get to] know the offense. You don’t really know just how the program works completely. I was still trying to come back from my knee [injury] a little bit. This year I felt just more comfortable, used to things, knowing how it goes. Not as much trying to figure everything out.”

According to Morris himself, he has learned a lot from former standout receiver Ronnie Bell, who recently appeared at Michigan’s Pro Day in Ann Arbor. “I looked at him a lot, just being an older guy,” Morris said. “That’s what I’m hoping to do, step into the role he had last year and try to take what I learned from him and apply it to my game.

“I have no issue with blocking. That’s just part of the game. You can’t be a receiver and only expect to catch, score touchdowns, all that. Especially at our school … we have great backs. We’re going to run the ball, so you’d better be able to block. I feel like it’s a mindset, being physical and not being scared to go hit somebody.”

According to Morris, he loves being mentioned as a breakout candidate, but knows the job is never finished.

“It feels good to be noticed like that. For me, I’m kind of just proving it to myself,” Morris said. “That’s kind of where I expect myself to be, so it was nice seeing other people start to see me that way. I’m just looking forward to this year to go through it.”



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Former Wolverines are clamoring over JJ McCarthy ahead of 2023

A few former Michigan standouts cannot say enough about JJ McCarthy’s talent.

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Michigan football quarterback JJ McCarthy
© Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK

ANN ARBOR, MI — The Michigan Wolverines are heading into what should be a special season for the third year in a row. After winning Big Ten titles and making College Football Playoff appearances in 2021 and 2022, Michigan football is loaded and returning more production than many have ever seen from a championship team. Recently, during Michigan’s pro day ahead of the NFL Draft in April, starting quarterback JJ McCarthy had a chance to flash his skills in front of some scouts while throwing to combine players like Ronnie Bell.

According to former Michigan football players, JJ McCarthy is looking incredible heading into the Wolverines’ spring game on April 1st.

Ronnie Bell claims JJ McCarthy showed out at Michigan’s pro day

Here is what former Michigan football standout receiver Ronnie Bell had to say about the Wolverines rising junior quarterback during Michigan’s pro day:

“He was zipping that thing today,” Bell told The Michigan Insider. “Really, really fun. Especially throughout this whole little process, being gone, I’ve been not with him for so long. You almost take for granted how good he was. And then you come back and get to throw with him again. It’s like, ‘Oh my gosh. He’s really, really good.’

“The ball was coming, for sure,” Bell said. “He always threw it pretty good. Now he’s got even more touch and zip on it. So definitely a lot of fun and pretty to catch … He got better every play. Throughout every game, it was like as the game went on, he was growing and getting better. Watching him and watching him in practice, he just feels so comfortable and just so dialed-in on everything. Talking to him too about how the new offense is being oriented: He really likes it and is comfortable with it.”

“[J.J] knows how to time me up and throws a good ball, too,” former Michigan football tight end Joel Honigford said. “So it was nice to work with him opposed to somebody else just brought in that we would throw the first time today. J.J. is a good quarterback, and he set us up well for success. And it was nice for him, too.”

Michigan football could see even bigger and better from McCarthy this fall

According to JJ McCarthy himself, he is bigger, faster, and stronger right now than he ever has been before. Here is what McCarthy had to say about his current size and ability:

“I was playing at like 193 last year, now I’m around 207, 205,” McCarthy said. “Fluctuating in that range. Herb definitely did a good job and some outside influences for sure.

“It’s helping with my growth,” McCarthy said. “Bigger, stronger, faster. Every single year, just trying to improve those areas of my game. I don’t know how it’s gonna improve it, but I know it’s gonna be for the better.”



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple PodcastsSpotify, and all other steaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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Michigan football has a unique workout program that has led to sustained success

Ben Herbert and the strength program is a massive reason Michigan has been so successful as of late.

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Michigan football star Mike Morris
Dec 31, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Michigan Wolverines edge Mike Morris (90) against the TCU Horned Frogs during the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

ANN ARBOR, MI — Many of the best players and coaches in Ann Arbor, including head coach Jim Harbaugh, have cited Michigan’s strength and conditioning program as a main reason for the Wolverines’ recent success. Strength coach Ben Herbert has been a crucial part of Michigan football going from 2-4 in 2020 to winning back-to-back Big Ten titles in 2021 and 2022. Recently, former Michigan football star Mike Morris explained what makes the Wolverines’ strength program so impactful.

Mike Morris explains the unique Michigan football workout plan

During the 2023 Michigan football pro day, 2022 Wolverine star Mike Morris had a lot of high praise for Michigan’s strength program and strength coach Ben Herbert. As most know by now, the Wolverines’ strength and conditioning program has been cited as a key reason for Michigan’s quick turnaround and the program’s sustained success over the past two seasons. Just like many others in the building, Mike Morris is a huge fan of what Herbert has done with the Wolverines’ resources.

“Coach Herb would change stuff on purpose just to mess you up,” Morris told The Michigan Insider. “We have conditioning and he would, for instance, he’ll say, ‘Mike, pick a number one through five.’ And I’ll say, ‘three.’ He’ll pick every third guy and will tell them to go jump in the cold tub. And then they’ll go jump in the cold tub and then come out, and then they’ll start conditioning. He’ll do stuff like that where it’s like, okay, your back is up against the wall.” 

“He’ll call a guy by random. ‘Pick a number 1-100.’ Somebody picks 100, and the 100th guy had to do OG chin holds and had to beat his time,” Morris said. “And he put Vaseline on the bar. So we were like, ‘Bro, you’re cheating!’ He was like, ‘No, he has an excuse. He has an excuse. So if he doesn’t make it, he can blame it on the Vaseline. If he does make it, he had conquered all the odds.’

“So that’s what he does. He lays out workouts for us to have an excuse. But if you’re a grown man, you’re gonna get the job done.” 

“I feel like Michigan prepared me in the mental aspect of it,” Michigan football star Mike Morris said. “This place is run just like the NFL. I’d say we probably practice and hit more, but that’s probably the difference. 

“Coach Herb just has us laser focused on what we need to accomplish. Not necessarily worrying about stuff like what the schedule is or what are we doing today, or if we have conditioning, what’s the conditioning? He has us so wired and so laser focused that anything and everything that comes in our way or even in life, anything comes in life, we can handle it.” 



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple PodcastsSpotify, and all other steaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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