J.D. PicKell: Michigan wide receivers must take another step along with J.J. McCarthy

On3’s JD PicKell sees on the wall for the Michigan Wolverines in 2023. While many have highlighted quarterback J.J. McCarthy as the lynchpin to the Wolverines capturing the national championship next season, PicKell says that’s only half right. He believes in order for Michigan to climb the college football mountain top, their wide receivers must take another step along with McCarthy.

“There’s going to be a lot of conversation around J.J. McCarthy. Can he take the next step? Can he become that guy that’s vertical, pushing secondaries week in and week out and being able to just attack teams that way? That’s definitely fair. That’s definitely true. But I want to let you know that’s an incomplete thought,” said PicKell.

“J.J. McCarthy has all the arm talent in the world. I don’t think there’s anything physically that he can’t do when it comes to throwing the ball down. Nothing that’s gonna hold you back as an offense, at least, but the wide receiving room. That’s what I think needs to also take that next step. Anytime you ask your quarterback to take the next step, you better ask those pass catchers to take the next step as well.”

PicKell was not shy when it came to naming which receivers he wants to see step up next year for Michigan. The top two wideouts that must become big-name playmakers for the Wolverines’ offense to grow next season are Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson. And if they can do so, they will bring something to Michigan’s offense that’s been missing in the past few seasons, balance.

“Roman Wilson, Cornelius Johnson; I want to see them take the next step. I want to see them become game-breakers downfield. I wanna see Cornelius Jonathan, the version we saw against Ohio State. I wanna see him week in and week out. Because if that’s the reality you live in, as Michigan, then you get back to having that balance available to you. That’s the key word for me, balance. Balance from Michigan offensively. You still have the physical identity, but when I can’t plan on a plan-A versus Plan-B approach from the defense; it’s a dangerous world to live in.

Michigan’s offense has consistently been run-dominant. McCarthy is an exciting playmaker at quarterback who is not afraid to pull the ball down and take off when needed. Not to mention Heisman Trophy candidate running back Blake Corum returned to the program for another season. Just between those two names alone, column Michigan would have a dangerous rushing attack. Now if the Wolverines wide receivers take that next step with McCarthy in the passing game, it could be scary hours for the rest of the Big Ten and college football landscape.