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Jim Harbaugh says freshman WRs making a serious push, names other standouts

Anthony Broomeby:Anthony Broome•08/15/23•

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Semaj Morgan
(Photo by Jaime Crawford/Getty Images)

Michigan football’s wide receiver group has a different flavor this year with an infusion of young talent and players having the opportunity to step into larger roles. That includes a trio of first-year players who are standing out in fall camp.

While the freshman class did not get a ton of flowers on the recruiting trail, Fredrick Moore, Karmello English and Semaj Morgan are already turning heads in Ann Arbor. During a meeting with the media on Tuesday afternoon, head coach Jim Harbaugh said the freshman trio has been impressive in camp and making a legitimate push for playing time.

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There is no guarantee we see them this fall, but they have positioned themselves nicely for a shot at playing time.

“Those three have really come in and asserted themselves right off the bat,” Harbaugh said. “They’ve taken reps with the ones, they’ve taken reps with the twos. They’re not playing like freshmen. Karmello, Frederick and Semaj, their ability to get out of a break, we haven’t seen that from many freshmen, let alone, too many [other] receivers that have come through here.

“Their ability to track the ball, Fredrick Moore’s ability to track the ball is as good as I’ve seen. Semaj Morgan is quick, fast, and, and shorter in stature, but has a very big catch radius. He can catch the balls away from his body. He can high point [the ball]. He’s been really good.”

The Wolverines entered camp with a well-established pecking order at the top of the depth chart in graduate Cornelius Johnson and senior Roman Wilson. Sophomore slot Tyler Morris has gotten the first crack there and done little to suggest he won’t be the starter when the season comes around.

With that top three all but set, the battle for No. 4/5 consideration has plenty of options. Junior Cristian Dixon – who has two game appearances with one catch for 7 yards – is starting to make a push after an uneventful first few seasons in Ann Arbor, according to Harbaugh.

“Cristian Dixon is also in my mind as somebody that’s really asserting himself right now and it’s his availability,” Harbaugh said. “He’s there every day. He’s playing through [some things], taking a couple of big hits and held on to the ball. But it’s that talent to be there every single day.

“The best ability is availability. He’s rising.”

Michigan sophomore Darrius Clemons is one that many are anxious to see after a good showing in spring. Standing at 6-3, 212, he has the length and long speed to be a well-rounded weapon in the offense, but has been slowed by an injury in fall camp.

“He’s had a few nagging things, but he was back at practice yesterday and working through something, but hopefully this next two weeks leading up to game one and game two, he can get back in there and be really effective,” Harbaugh said.

Michigan has two more weeks of fall camp remaining until game week kicks off on Aug. 28 in the leadup to the Sept. 2 opener vs. East Carolina.

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