Michigan Football: Biggest Potential Playmakers for 2013 Wolverines

The new-look 2013 Michigan football team will be without quarterback Denard Robinson and wide receiver Roy Roundtree, their biggest contributors over the past couple of seasons.

That means someone, anyone, is going to have step in to fill the void left by their departed playmakers.

Who will it be? With Michigan’s offensive philosophy designating running backs in a grinder role, speed at wide receiver becomes even more important.

Let’s take a look at who out of that group can make biggest impact on the success of the 2013 Wolverines.

 

Drew Dileo, WR

Receiver and kick returner Drew Dileo didn’t explode as a junior for the Wolverines in 2012. However, he earned a starting spot against Illinois on Oct. 13 and contributed the following week with a huge four-catch, 92-yard performance.

At just 5’10”, 180 pounds, he is best suited for a slot role. But Dileo’s crisp routes and possession ability give him the potential to be a key chain-mover for the team next season. He can also make plays down the field, too. He had three receptions of 30-plus yards and averaged 16.6 yards per reception a season ago (20 receptions).

Amara Darboh, WR

Freshman wide receiver Amara Darboh has something no other pass-catcher on the Wolverines roster has: size and talent. Darboh stands at 6’2” and weighs 220 pounds, whereas the other pegged starters are both significantly under 6 feet and have yet to decisively win the starting jobs.

He has already emerged as one of Devin Gardner’s new favorite targets after making some big plays during the spring. Those plays include a 30-plus-yard connection on the first play of the team’s spring game in April.

Don’t forget about Darboh’s 2012 Outback Bowl practice catch that Gardner noted on Twitter was the “single greatest catch” he has ever seen in person.

If he can stay consistent and continue to get better within coach Brady Hoke's offense, Darboh could be primed to explode as a vertical threat for the Wolverines.

Dennis Norfleet, Athlete

Sophomore running back Dennis Norfleet will struggle to find a place in the Wolverines backfield again in 2012. He ran the ball just two times a season ago because his size (5’7”, 161 pounds) and experience didn’t match that of his competitors.

He was a key contributor on kick returns, though, racking up 827 yards on 35 attempts. Those returns didn’t result in any touchdowns, but the speedy athlete possesses game-changing speed that can make a difference for the team this season.

A void at cornerback prompted Hoke to move the dynamic athlete to that position during preparations for the team’s Outback Bowl appearance. However, he will rejoin the offense again this season.

The plan for this year is to get him involved as a slot receiver and a change-of-pace back to Michigan’s power-running backfield. They will try to get him “five to 10 touches per game,” according to Curtis Blackwell, Norfleet’s high school mentor (h/t mlive.com).

What he does with those touches could propel the Wolverines over the top.