Connect with us

FOOTBALL

Michigan football wideout called ‘baby Steve Smith’

Published

on

Michigan football, Semaj Morgan, Jim Harbaugh
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

There are plenty of questions facing the Michigan football offense heading into the 2024 season. Obviously, we have to see what the Wolverines have at quarterback.

Michigan also has questions to answer at wide receiver after Cornelius Johnson and Roman Wilson were each drafted into the NFL. The Wolverines do have some key players back though such as Semaj Morgan, who made an impact as a freshman with 22 receptions for 204 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran the ball four times for 67 yards and two touchdowns.

Morgan also averaged 15.5 yards per kickoff return, as well as 33 yards per punt return, although he did have a critical muff in the Rose Bowl.

Semaj Morgan is compared to NFL great Steve Smith

Still, the former in-state wideout from West Bloomfield, just like Donovan Edwards, has the look of a future star. U-M definitely needs more production out of the rising sophomore in 2024 and even though he’s built more like a slot receiver at 5-foot-10, 176 pounds, he might be the best wideout on the roster pound for pound.

Ron Bellamy, the Michigan football wide receivers coach, certainly agrees and compared the Wolverine to a former NFL great in Steve Smith on the “In The Trenches” Podcast this week.

“I call him ‘baby Steve Smith.’ Steve Smith wasn’t the biggest guy, but he played like he was a mountain lion. And that’s Semaj.”

Morgan isn’t the only Michigan football wideout who needs to step up this season. Tyler Morris, who caught a touchdown in the Rose Bowl, will be counted on for more, along with Fred Moore, a standout in the spring. Amorion Walker and CJ Charleston — two additions via the portal — should also be factors on the two-deep.

Here’s what Bellamy said about the group as a whole heading into 2024.

“Now, the guys understand the production has to step up, and they’re ready. They’re ready for their opportunity, they’re smart, they’re tough. They’re Michigan; they’re Michigan men. And these guys understand what the expectations are. They’re perfecting their craft daily.”



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics and Big Ten content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms.

Chris has worked in sports journalism since 2005 writing for multiple newspapers and websites such as the Bleacher Report and Fansided where he has covered the Michigan Wolverines since 2016. With family ties to Detroit, Chris has been a Wolverines diehard since the day he was born and attacks every blog with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind. Chris is also a Heisman Trophy voter.

TRENDING