Cornelius Johnson talks Michigan WR depth, Darrius Clemons, more
Michigan Wolverines football has a crowded wide receiver room with a mix of proven veterans and youngsters with upside. It’ll be a challenge for the Maize and Blue to spread the ball around to all of their playmakers — ”rich people problems,” co-offensive coordinator Matt Weiss called it — but senior Cornelius Johnson insists the chemistry is high enough to where they’ll all stay happy.
Having that kind of depth isn’t a “problem” at all, per Johnson.
“For our receiver room, we always pride ourselves on being prepared for anything,” the Michigan senior said Friday afternoon. “Especially as route runners, our job is to get open no matter what — even if it’s a run, pass, we’re always trying to contribute any way.
“Once we get that opportunity, for all of the receivers, we’ve got to be ready once it comes to us, including the depth.”
Michigan freshman Darrius Clemons has created buzz since stepping on campus in January. He had a big spring game, including a highlight-reel touchdown grab, and has continued to impress during fall camp.
“He’s a great young receiver,” Johnson said. “He’s got a lot of speed and can go down the field and catch passes. To have Darrius as a friend and another member of our wide receiver crew, that’s been awesome. I even got to know him more when we were on our Michigan trip; we were roommates. Just to get to know him and to learn from him and also I can tell him different stuff, I feel like he could contribute definitely early and often.”
The freshmen are still getting up to speed, of course, but all three — Amorion Walker and Tyler Morris being the others — enrolled early and appear to be ahead of the curve.
“Just the depth and being able to run every route,” Johnson said of what the Michigan freshman wideouts bring to the team. “For us, we try to focus on not necessarily being a strictly outside receiver, strictly playing on the left or the right. We call ourselves just wide receivers in general, so we’ve got to know everything.
“Getting them to know everything, to know the playbook and getting them going, that makes it that much more fluid for everyone else.”
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Earlier this week, position coach Ron Bellamy explained how graduate Ronnie Bell going down with an ACL injury in the second quarter of the first game last season allowed opposing defense to focus more attention on Johnson. The 6-3, 208-pounder still played well, leading the team with 620 receiving yards, but he faced tougher matchups down the field.
“I’m definitely excited to go out there and be on the same field as Ronnie and the other receivers, as well, because the thing about it is, once we get each other going, that opens up other opportunities for other players,” Johnson said. “Everyone knows, that’s the game of football, so I’m definitely excited about that opportunity.
“I feel like with Ronnie in the mix, it’s good to have weapons all over the offense. Using those weapons is great for our entire program. Just production everywhere.”
Johnson has become more of a leader in the wide receiver room and the Michigan offense. He’s looking to take the next step in his game, too.
“With this being my senior season, I’ve been in the program for four years, I feel like being here for that long, I’ve improved on knowing what to expect more and being on track with the quarterbacks,” Johnson explained. “I’m looking forward to this fall and being there every day for my teammates and making sure I’m contributing that way as well.”
