Semaj Morgan weighs in on QBs as he works to become 'complete receiver'

ANN ARBOR – Michigan Wolverines sophomore wide receiver Semaj Morgan should wind up being one of the biggest beneficiaries of the snaps available at his position in 2024. Seen by many as one of U-M’s likely breakout players ahead of the new campaign, the focus is all about well-rounded improvement.

As a true freshman, Morgan was used as a bit of a gadget player that made his mark in a variety of ways. Now, he could potentially take on a much bigger role with a larger spotlight on him.

He is cut from a cloth that has him ready for whatever Michigan throws his way.

“My foot has already been on the gas since I was six years old,” Morgan said on Monday morning in Ann Arbor. “My coaches, I feel like they’re gonna put me in the best position. I feel like I can run around pretty well. I feel like I have pretty good hands. I just feel like I work on everything that I feel like I’m good at, too.”

Part of that improvement means a buy-in to Michigan’s offensive mentality, which often sees the wideouts having to do the dirty work of blocking to spring big plays for other players. Morgan knows that will be one of the keys to success.

“To be a complete receiver, it isn’t just about being open and catching the ball,” Morgan said. “That’s the description of the position, but complete receivers block, just like the lineman. Being at Michigan, it really just gives you that factor to really want to do something for your team.

“I wouldn’t feel right if I got the ball and [Colston Loveland] was blocking for me and I scored and he got the ball like the next drive and I’m missing a block and he doesn’t score, you feel me? That wouldn’t be good. I feel like becoming a complete receiver really happened for me at Michigan and it started with ‘no block, no rock.’ That’s what Coach [Ron Bellamy] always says.

“A lot of receivers forget about that part, but it’s really important. It’s very important because that’s how our running backs get to spring big plays and explosives. At Michigan, we run the ball. People got their opinion about our offense. We are even and we are balanced.”

Morgan on the Michigan quarterbacks

Morgan’s production this year is very much tied to the guy that wins the starting quarterback job. Seen as a three-horse race between graduate Jack Tuttle, senior Davis Warren and junior Alex Orji, the Michigan sophomore sees traits in each that could lead them to glory.

“With our quarterback room, it’s actually like a true battle,” he said. “Last year, we had JJ going into camp and he had played here before. But like this year we actually have like a true battle and it’s so pure and it’s so good to watch from [Warren, Orji, Tuttle, Jadyn Davis, Jayden Denegal], everybody. Every quarterback will always bring something different to the table, you know what I’m saying?

“Whoever they throw in that position on August 31st, I feel like they’re going to be ready and I feel like they’re going to be prepared to go into the fire. And whoever we go in the fire with I trust. I’m truly behind it.”

Morgan doubled down when asked about how well the quarterbacks are throwing the ball, saying that the velocity behind each pass is where it needs to be. And that they have no qualms about a worthy leader emerging from the contest.

“They’ve all got good arms,” Morgan said. “They’ve got that (*imitates zip sound*) every time we catch it. They’ve all been throwing at it and zipping it. I’m telling you. Whoever we got, man, it’s just gonna be great to watch. I’m telling you. It’s a true, pure battle. And they’re really battling it out right now.

“I love those guys because they just come here every day with the same great attitude and same great football as they throw. They all got that quarterback moxie, about them, man. That aura. So, I’d be ready to follow any one of them to the fire, just like we did JJ.”