Wolverine Digest

With a vastly improved quarterback room, how much does the receiver corps have to improve in 2025?

Last year's quarterback woes were widely known in and out of Ann Arbor, but the receiver corps struggled mightily as well
Jerred Johnson|
Michigan Wolverines assistant coach Ron Bellamy, left, and head coach Jim Harbaugh, right, watch the action during the spring game Saturday, April 1, 2023 at Michigan Stadium. Umspring 040123 Kd1918
Michigan Wolverines assistant coach Ron Bellamy, left, and head coach Jim Harbaugh, right, watch the action during the spring game Saturday, April 1, 2023 at Michigan Stadium. Umspring 040123 Kd1918 | Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK

The quarterback issues that the Michigan Wolverines endured in the 2024 season were brutal at times. With quarterbacks that all struggled to assert themselves as the clear starter, the offense sputtered all season long. The coaching staff was forced to run in obvious passing downs, and defensive coordinators stuffed the box daring the Wolverines to throw downfield. The saving grace on many passing downs typically came in the form of future first rounder Colston Loveland. And when he went down with an injury, the one-dimensional offense became brutally transparent to defenses.

McCulley
Sep 28, 2024; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Donaven McCulley (1) catches a pass for a touchdown against Maryland Terrapins defensive back Jalen Huskey (22) during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images | Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

With Loveland off to the NFL and Tyler Morris transferring to Indiana, head coach Sherrone Moore had to work through the transfer portal to land more talent in the WR room. He did that in potential WR1 Donaven McCulley from Indiana. The long and lanky McCulley has the ability to stretch a defense and high point jump balls in the endzone. Alongside McCulley will be Semaj Morgan, a slot type speedster, and Fredrick Moore who has the ability to go across the middle as well as take quick slants to the house. Here is what Michigan Wolverines on SI senior writer Trent Knoop had to say about the 2025 Michigan WR room.

"The quarterback position will be better which should result in more production from the wide receivers. But Michigan didn't do much to upgrade the position in terms of instant success. The Wolverines brought in three receivers from the 2025 recruiting class, but they could be a year away -- Andrew Marsh has a chance to play right away. Michigan also brought in Donaven McCulley from Indiana, who I think will start. But guys like Semaj Morgan, Fred Moore, Kendrick Bell, and Amorion Walker all have to prove it this year."
Trent Knoop, SI Writer
morgan
Michigan wide receiver Semaj Morgan (0) runs against Michigan State during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The wild card in the receiver room could be a young player like Jamar Browder or Andrew Marsh who comes out and shines and makes their time count. There really is no true alpha receiver on this roster, so spring will be a time for the room to sort itself out and players to earn reps on the field when the season starts. The Spring Game, scheduled for April 19th, will give us a clearer look at what to expect from a relatively unknown position group.

- Enjoy more Michigan Wolverines coverage on Michigan Wolverines On SI -

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Jerred Johnson
JERRED JOHNSON

Jerred Johnson has served in the United States military for over 23 years. He has a Bachelors in Marketing, a Masters in Management and is in the final phases of completing his Doctorate in Business Administration.

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