Roman Wilson disagrees with 'naysayers' on Michigan wide receivers being weak link

Senior wide receiver Roman Wilson believes the 2023 Michigan Wolverines football team can have a special year — and not in spite of his position group, which has been viewed from the outside as a potential weak link. There are Wolverines littered across preseason watch lists for national awards, but none appeared for the Biletnikoff Award, handed out to the sport’s most outstanding receiver.

The Wolverines lost wide receiver Ronnie Bell to the NFL Draft. The seventh-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers led Michigan in receiving yards three of the last four seasons. But Wilson is confident with what’s returning, especially after two weeks of fall camp.

“After last year, we lost a couple of guys who had a pretty good role in this offense,” Wilson said on the ‘In The Trenches’ podcast with Jon Jansen, noting that he and graduate Cornelius Johnson are the two with experience. “Coming into this camp, I was like, I’m not really sure about who’s going to start stepping up, but it’s like, man, everybody has stepped up.

“The three young freshmen — Semaj [Morgan], ‘Mello [English] and Fred [Moore] — are actually playing way higher than what you think a freshman should be playing at. [Sophomore] Tyler Morris is playing very good, as well. Those four guys — five, [junior] Cristian Dixon — everyone. [Sophomore] Darrius Clemons, six, it just keeps going and going. All six of those guys are going to see a lot of playing time, as well. And seven, [junior] Peyton O’Leary, he’s eating now, too. It just keeps going!”

Dixon is a depth chart riser, per Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, and the freshmen have been impressive. Clemons, meanwhile, has been banged up but could be an impact player this fall. And O’Leary, a former walk-on, has impressed in practices for 12 months, now closer to being ready to do it in games.

“Every time somebody gets a chance in this offense, man, they just really light it up for everybody,” Wilson added.

RELATED
• Analysts provide Michigan practice intel: ‘Physical’ defense is ‘the complete package,’ potentially ‘better than last year’
• News and Views: Michigan defense rising, young stars, more

That includes Michigan junior quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the elite running back duo of senior Blake Corum and junior Donovan Edward and a strong tight end room. The Michigan wideout raved about the entire team and its potential. But Wilson isn’t willing to concede that the wide receivers aren’t right up there with the rest of the group.

“Definitely the sky’s the limit,” Wilson said of Michigan’s aspirations this season. “We can go all the way this year. You look around this team, and you’re like, ‘These guys are good.’ Every position is so good.

“There are a lot of naysayers out there who say the receiver room is the worst part of the team, but if you look at it, we’re still very good. You look at the running backs, very good. Quarterbacks, good. O-line is deep. D-line is deep. Safeties, corners … I don’t think you can see a better roster out there this year.”

With that, “being where our feet are” and focusing on “process over prize” is the emphasis. Wilson knows Michigan — which is ranked No. 2 preseason and picked by the media to win the Big Ten — will be hunted by every team in the conference and some nationally, as opposed to being the hunter the last couple seasons.

“It’s a weird feeling. I think this team really likes having a target on its back,” Wilson explained. “I think they like stepping into a hostile environment, playing a big team at home and knowing this team really wants to beat us. But we really want to beat you, too! That’s just how it is.

“For the young guys, I think they know how big it is. The coaches let them know, a lot of the players let them know when they’re trying to slip off a little bit. It’s time to step back up, because they’re going to play a lot for us this year, and you never know, they might get the chance to win a game for us, so you gotta keep them in check, too.”

Wilson hasn’t gotten caught up with personal goals this season, other than to be reliable and help Michigan stack up victories.

“Just being a guy where, whatever opportunity I get, I’m going to make sure I jump on it as soon as I can, doing everything I can to help this team out, whether that’s blocking, catching the deep ball, catching the short ball, taking care of my body, watching extra film or just helping young guys, being that guy on the team,” he said.

His chemistry with McCarthy has improved this offseason, too, after the pass game gained some momentum at the end of last season, especially on deeper throws.

“It’s great. Spending a lot of time with him in the offseason really helped me out a lot,” Wilson said. “There is rarely ever a time where you see us out there where we miss or don’t connect. Just building a better friendship with him, getting to know him as a person has really helped our relationship a lot.

“You definitely saw [the deep pass game work] a lot toward the end of the season last year, with me and Ronnie and C.J., him chucking it up or putting it on a dime somewhere. Before you know it, the receiver is in a perfect spot or the ball is perfectly thrown. That’s the type of stuff you’re going to see more this year.”

The journey begins Sept. 2 at The Big House, with East Carolina set for a matchup with Michigan.