Michigan Football: Breaking Down Where Wolverines WRs Stand, Post-Spring

Recently, the wide receiver position at Michigan has been a revolving door of guys who were supposed to become one thing but ended up as another.

That flow has gone both ways.

There have been under-the-radar talents who have bloomed, and there have been supposed stars who fizzled.

The same case will apply this season for the Wolverines, who are roughly two weeks removed from their first spring game under new coach Jim Harbaugh. As of now, Amara Darboh and Jehu Chesson appear to be the top options—they were among the exhibition’s top performers and return as the team’s most experienced receivers.

So it makes sense to project good things for them this fall.

But others could end up gaining ground as well.

Now that offensive coordinator Tim Drevno and passing game coordinator Jedd Fisch are on board, wide-scale improvement could be around the bend for the Wolverines, who have a stable stacked with an array of guys who simply want to see the field.

During spring availability, Chesson said his teammates were “hungry” and eager to prove themselves as reliable wideouts.  

He wasn’t wrong about that. No exaggeration necessary, either. According to what coaches said during spring availability, competition is heated and guys are out for one thing, and one thing only: starting reps.

Tier I—the A-Team

At 6’2” and 216 pounds, Darboh is built for yards after contact. Typically, those types of receivers do well in the Big Ten, a league known for its physical style. Returning with a team-high 36 catches for 473 yards and two touchdowns, the senior seems to be an obvious fit for No. 1. He also did well in the spring game, hauling in three catches for 63 yards.

Like Darboh, Chesson finished the spring scrimmage with a couple of nice catches and appears to be one of the Wolverines’ best receivers. In 2014, the junior had 14 catches for 154 yards. That’s not much, but it’s better than nothing at all.

While recently speaking with the media, Chesson expressed a great deal of optimism in regard to the upcoming season. Players are getting to know Drevno and Fisch, he said, and they’re intent on learning the new systems—the changes are mostly lingo—as quickly as possible so that they may see the field.

Why does that matter? Chesson spoke like a leader that day, not Joe Player. Production value is one thing, but having the ability to lead is another. Really, Chesson, a 6’3”, 207-pound senior, has both traits. He’ll be one of the quarterback’s favorite targets and could be a cornerstone of the locker room.

The words “speed” and “hands” come to mind when thinking of Freddy Canteen. The 6’1”, 185-pound sophomore brings versatility to the table. He’s not necessarily the best long-shot threat, but he could be a great slot receiver—his shifty shakes and reliable hands could shine at that position.

He didn’t do much during this past spring game, but he did in 2014—that’s when he was tabbed as “Freddy Footwork.”

Right now, he’s “Freddy Get to Work.” He has so much to prove in so little time. Experience is an issue at Michigan, but depth isn’t a concern. Canteen has demonstrated the ability to be a starter-caliber receiver, but Drevno and Fisch have more from which to choose. Lots more.

Tier II—on the Brink

Dennis Norfleet was supposed to evolve into an all-around threat. So far, he’s been a bit of a liability on the punt-return unit, and he’s not big enough to see a lot of time at running back. This year, the 5’7”, 168-pounder has been designated as a receiver, a position that will ultimately bring out the best in the senior.

That’s the plan, anyway.

Too fast to ignore, Norfleet gives Michigan a wild card on every down. Whether it’s a bubble screen or end-around, Norfleet has the means to do damage and assist the offense in scoring—something that it didn’t do much of in 2014.

Jaron Dukes has been on the radar for two years. Evidently, he’s ready to show that he wants to play during Saturdays in the fall, not just the one Saturday in early April. There isn’t much college film of Dukes to study. At this point, it’s more speculation than anything else.

It’d be difficult to use a 14-yard touchdown catch while being covered by Norfleet as the basis, but that’s all Dukes has right now. The fact that he stood out during the spring game puts him in the second tier. As part of Michigan’s celebrated 2013 class, the time is now for the 6’4”, 204-pound junior. He’ll either earn a role this season or get surpassed by the incoming talents.

Brian Cole is one such athlete. He’s not as big as Dukes, but at 6’2” and 200 pounds, he has enough size to fit nicely into a meaningful role. The early enrollee will probably have five to 10 extra pounds on his frame come fall, not to mention another summer of training. The former Saginaw Heritage star is considered one of the best athletes on the team, per players and coaches.

He may not emerge right away, but give Cole some time—he’s wowed during practice and isn't too far behind his “established” counterparts.

Tier III—the Potential Crew

Who knows what’ll happen with Drake Harris. Two years ago, he was the answer to Michigan’s prayers. He was the downfield threat who’d take the Wolverines to the next level. He was going to be Shane Morris’ (left)right-hand man.

However, injuries have sidelined progress since the day he arrived at Michigan. The 6’4”, 174-pound sophomore has to pack on the pounds. That’s a given. Rehabbing his hamstring is another priority—again, that’s a given. He’s been plagued by it for the past handful of months; if he doesn’t recover soon, he may not see the field at Michigan.

Maurice Ways looked decent during the spring game. Other than having a pass ripped from his hands by Brandon Watson, Ways appeared to be one of the stronger talents on offense, not just at receiver. But that was just one spring game. He needs to display something on game day.

The 6'4", 205-pound redshirt sophomore has the athleticism, hands (usually) and vertical to be a real threat this fall, but he faces the task of leapfrogging at least three others in order to get meaningful reps. 

At 6’2” and 199 pounds, Da’Mario Jones is another stout pass-catcher with potential. With just one 11-yard reception on his resume, Jones doesn’t have a track record from which to draw many conclusions. But he can play—that was clear when he was recruited.

Like Dukes, Jones was part of the Wolverines’ 2013 class and was once viewed as next in line.

Today, he’s behind a lot of people, and he could be behind a guy who’s yet to be tabbed as a receiver, Keith Washington, who arrives in May.

In all likelihood, Washington will find a home in the secondary. He runs a 4.3-second 40-yard dash and has quick hands—he’d do well as a corner. At 6’2”, he has the height. But at 170 pounds, he lacks the weight.

College conditioning programs can change that in a hurry.

And speaking of things changing in a hurry, don’t be shocked to see Washington flirt with reps at receiver. That’s why he’s included in this piece. If anything’s certain at Michigan, it’s that nothing is certain. Look at the way Norfleet has been shuttled around the lineup.

Washington is too good of an athlete to shelve for long. He may or may not play this season, and he may or may not see reps as a wideout. That bridge will be crossed later. For now, he’s being included in the potential bunch.

Grant Perry may be another candidate to monitor, especially if Alex Malzone wins the starting QB job—the true freshman started for the Maize Team during the spring game and won three state titles by hurling passes to Perry, a 6’0”, 185-pound incoming freshman.

Familiarity breeds success. Their high school connection could translate to something productive this fall. But Perry’s marked as a third-tier guy for a couple of reasons, with the main one being depth. Michigan has several waiting in the wings, so Perry may be asked to sit out this season and learn.

Doing that could bump him up a notch for 2016’s pre- and post-spring outlooks.

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes and references were obtained firsthand by the writer via press conference, press release or other media availability. Recruiting information comes via 247Sports, and player stats/bio are from MGoBlue. 

Follow Bleacher Report’s Michigan Wolverines football writer Adam Biggers on Twitter @AdamBiggers81.