Michigan Football: Week 2 Fall Camp Stock Report

The Michigan Wolverines experienced the good, the bad and the ugly during the second week of fall camp, and it offered a subtle reminder that the football team has much to improve.

Jim Harbaugh and his coaching staff must help the returning offensive talent develop, but one position needs the most help. Although a couple veterans can offset some of that unit's struggles, Michigan has a variety of receivers who hold an opportunity to earn a regular spot in the lineup.

As an assistant coach said, though, now it's time for lip service to translate into on-field performance, especially since the 2015 season opener against Utah draws nearer every day.

The Good

Every quarterback needs a safety blanket. For the Wolverines, it seems most likely their tight end will establish himself as that guy.

"Jake Butt is as good a prospect as we've coached at the college level," Harbaugh said recently, per Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press. "I'm excited to watch him compete. I'm excited to watch his development."

Season	Year	REC	YDS	TD	LONG
2013	Freshman	20	235	2	37
2014	Sophomore	21	211	2	29

That's certainly high praise for the junior who will serve as a much-needed piece of the 2015 offense. Last season, he missed the better part of the year due to an ACL injury, sat out a game due to a suspension and underwent a minor knee procedure in January.

Nevertheless, Butt has showed he can be a difference-maker on the field. The 6'6", 248-pounder has accrued at least 20 receptions, 200 yards and two touchdowns during his two years at Michigan so far.

With a clean bill of health in 2015, though, Butt should be ready to double his pass-catching numbers.

The Bad

Butt will be a larger part of the offense, but he and Amara Darboh cannot be the only reliable targets for Jake Rudock or Shane Morris. The other wide receivers need to step up.

Jehu Chesson, Freddy Canteen, Brian Cole, Grant Perry, Drake Harris and others will compete for playing time, but a majority of the wideouts haven't logged significant snaps during the regular season.

Passing game coordinator Jedd Fisch admitted to MLive's Nick Baumgardner the competition is "wide open" and that the receivers must prove they want to be great:

"

Guys that want to be great, they can say they want to be great. It's like the guy who says he wants to lose weight. 'OK, then why are you eating a cheeseburger instead of working out?' ... If you really want to be great (you figure it out). We want to get rid of all the lip service and just become guys that absolutely grind it out.

"

Last season, Darboh snagged 36 catches for 473 yards and two touchdowns, while Chesson tallied 14 catches for 154 yards. Any other wideout managed five receptions or fewer.

While the receivers aren't expected to be the focal point of the offense, they can't disappear on game day—and excelling in camp would help minimize letdowns.

The Ugly

Credit: 247Sports

The roster turnover since Harbaugh accepted the job continued last week. Though only one was anticipated to be a contributor in 2015, Michigan lost three players.

Offensive lineman Dan Samuelson shared on his Facebook account that he has decided to transfer, citing playing time as a key factor. Baumgardner notes Samuelson said of the decision:

"

It had been a tough two years, not seeing the field and really not ever hitting the two-deep spot. I just realized, this is my third season, my chances of playing still aren't very good. I decided it was time to make a change and head somewhere where my chances were a little better. ... I just felt like it wasn't the best fit for me anymore.

"

Senior Bo Dever, a walk-on receiver from Illinois, ended his playing career due to medical reasons, he announced on Instagram. Dever appeared in 11 games, recording one catch for 26 yards.

It was supposed to be Bryan Mone's breakout year, but an injury derailed that hope. According to Scout's Andrew Gorringe, the sophomore defensive tackle sustained a broken ankle in practice and will likely miss the season.

Expectations were slowly surging for Mone, who entered each contest as a true freshman. Alas, without Mone in the competition, returning starter Ryan Glasgow is the favorite to lock down his 2014 role.

Mone can take a redshirt and keep a year of eligibility, but his injury is a disappointing part of what several Michigan fans hoped would be a sterling season.

All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from cfbstats.com. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.