Michigan WR Tyler Morris speaks on opening up offense, what he sees from Alex Orji
ANN ARBOR – Michigan Wolverines junior wide receiver Tyler Morris is set to take on a bigger role, perhaps as the No. 1 option, in his position group this year. Up against the backdrop of a thoroughly-run quarterback battle and a new play-caller, that opens up some exciting possibilities.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday morning, Morris said that offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Kirk Campbell is expected to open up the offense a little bit more, which could make for extra opportunities for the wideouts.
“I’m excited,” Morris told the media. “I feel like he’s going to open the offense up a little more and maybe we’ll throw in some things and try some things that maybe we hadn’t in the past couple years. I think he’s a great coordinator, really smart, and he’s definitely gonna give us multiple ways to attack defenses.
“I wouldn’t say there’s a lot of major changes, but I think we’re trying a lot more. We got a lot more put in.”
Michigan is famous for its meat-and-potatoes approach and coming right at teams from a physicality and downhill running standpoint. But one of its defining traits last year was the ability to win by any means necessary. Morris sees that continuing.
“I think especially going into this year, we’re gonna open it up more,” Morris said. “Obviously, Michigan has been known for the running ball, but I think we’ve shown on multiple occasions we can throw it to if we need to. And we’re gonna do what works. So if you come here and throwing is working, and we’re gonna keep throwing. So it’s really just up to the offense. Gonna go with whatever is working best for us.”
Of course, Michigan’s offensive identity will revolve around who ultimately wins the starting quarterback job. Junior Alex Orji is considered the favorite by most, and Morris has seen the dual-threat signal-caller take steps forward throughout the offseason.
“I think he’s just a lot more detailed,” Morris said. “He’s definitely made a lot of great throws this fall. I think every day it’s been growing for him and he’s continuing to build and work on areas of his game that he might have struggled in before. He’s also keeping strong in the areas that he was going to.
“There’s some throws he’s made that have been amazing. I think he’s picked up his consistency for sure. I think that was probably the biggest thing he had to work on.”
Michigan will let the battle play out between Orji, graduate Jack Tuttle and senior Davis Warren as long as it needs to. Regardless, the wideouts have a job to do no matter who wins the job.
At some point, chemistry will be important, but the only objective is to move the football and score points.
“For us, I don’t think it’s super important [to know who the QB is now] just because we have got to be out there regardless of running our routes,” Morris said. “Going into the season, it’ll be important just to have a solid guy to keep building with. It really depends. It’s going to take time to see who’s moving the ball best. Whoever it is, that’s who, that’s who we’re happy with.”
