'That's what a receiver should look like': Michigan early enrollee Darrius Clemons makes strong first impression
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Usually at lower levels, some football teams send their most physically imposing player off the bus first when arriving for a game. It’s typically a lineman, fullback or linebacker, but while Michigan has several candidates to be the first proverbial player off the bus, freshman early enrollee wide receiver Darrius Clemons might be the top option.
“We noticed as soon as he walked in the door that he’s put together well, he’s a big dude,” Michigan redshirt sophomore quarterback Cade McNamara said. “He’s got muscle. He’s got speed. He’s got strong hands.”
“My first impression when he early enrolled, I was like, ‘That’s what a receiver should look like,'” sophomore running back Blake Corum added. “He’s big, tall, muscled up. In the weight room in winter workouts, he was putting some crazy numbers up — vertical jump, broad jump, bench. I was like, ‘I can’t wait to see him put on the pads.’”
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At 6-foot-3, 205 pounds, Clemons is a big-bodied receiver who’s able to go up, high point the ball and make contested catches. But what makes him unique and potentially special is his ability to run past defenders, with a 4.37-second 40-yard dash time.
In short, he appears to have all the tools.
“When he put on the pads, there was no disappointment,” Corum continued. “He goes up and gets the ball, smooth routes, he’s clean.”
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Clemons made a strong first impression during Michigan’s spring football game on Saturday. The Portland, Oregon, native caught three passes for a game-high 52 yards, including a 35-yard, highlight-reel touchdown catch in which he leaped for the ball and came down with it.
Clemons even took a double-reverse and threw a 21-yard strike to Michigan redshirt freshman tight end Max Bredeson on a trick play. He was an impact player on the Blue team, which won by a final score of 20-12. He earned his steak dinner.
Michigan fans couldn’t wait to see him in action, and he didn’t disappoint.
The Wolverines have a loaded wide receiver room, but Clemons figures to factor into the rotation — somehow, some way. Michigan has experience and talent in the form of redshirt junior Ronnie Bell and junior Cornelius Johnson, and up-and-coming forces in sophomores Andrel Anthony and Roman Wilson. But there’s nobody on the roster as uniquely gifted as Clemons.
His supreme talent might just be too good to keep off the field, and his teammates know it.
“He takes good education, he takes advice from other players, he soaks it all in,” Corum said. “He’s going to be a big-time player for us, and I’m excited to see what he does next.”
“I can’t wait to see where his talents can go,” McNamara said.
