Michigan's wide receiver transfers set to bring experience, explosiveness
DETROIT – The Michigan Wolverines added a pair of veteran wide receivers to the room this offseason with the additions of Donaven McCulley (Indiana) and Anthony Simpson (UMass). That, along with an enhanced offensive system and in-house improvements, has position coach Ron Bellamy excited for the room.
McCulley, in particular, has stood out, even teasing a potential switch to the iconic No. 1 jersey, and has shown the leadership and traits Michigan was looking for in the 6-5 wideout.
“Yeah, he’s had a really good spring,” Bellamy said from the Sound Mind Sound Body camp in Detroit on Sunday. “He’s getting himself adjusted with everything, and the system, and his new teammates. He’s an older guy, an experienced guy, an unbelievable person. I think his leadership and his presence alone is going to help our room grow.
“You’ve got some of the guys, Fred[rick Moore] and Semaj [Morgan], older guys now, Peyton O’Leary. Then you have the young guys, Andrew Marsh and Jamar Browder. Those guys made some big leaps this spring as well.”
McCulley enters Michigan with 66 career catches for 837 yards and 8 touchdowns. However, he started his career at quarterback for the Hoosiers before switching to wide receiver in 2022. During the 2023 season, he threw a touchdown pass on a trick play at the Big House, so U-M was plenty familiar with him.
“We actually played against him in the 2021-22 season as a quarterback,” Bellamy said. “He was their starting quarterback when Penix and Tuttle were down. Coincidentally, I was [coaching] on defense, so I got a chance to see him from an athletic standpoint. The ’23 season, I believe, is when he had a really big season there. He didn’t play much last year, was injured, and decided [to transfer] and he graduated. It’s been a great thing for us.”
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The hope is that McCulley can provide proven veteran production and a safety blanket for Michigan’s quarterbacks, namely freshman Bryce Underwood, the expected starter.
”You like big receivers because you want the quarterbacks to be accurate,” Bellamy said. “But there could be less accuracy if that makes sense, [because] guys have a bigger catch radius. McCully is 6-5, so it’s been good. He’s been a great addition to our team.”
Simpson factors in a bit differently as a projected slot receiver. He had a breakout season for the UMass offense in 2023, coordinated by Michigan TEs coach Steve Casula, before making a limited impact during the 2024 campaign. In 2023, he logged 57 catches for 792 yards and three touchdowns and the hope is he can tap into that in Ann Arbor.
“Explosive,” Bellamy said of the UMass transfer. “Explosive in the way he moves. Obviously, he’s an older guy, too. We want to get some experienced guys who have experience playing football. We took two older guys in the portal this winter cycle.”
