2008 Michigan Preview: Receiving Corps
Projected Depth Chart
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| TE | WR | WR | Slot | WR |
| Butler (rJr) OR Massey (rSr) | Mathews (Jr) | Hemingway (So) OR Stonum (Fr) | Odoms (Fr) | Clemons (So) |
| Webb (So) | Savoy (rJr) | Roundtree (Fr) | Robinson (Fr) | Rogers (So) |
| Watson (rFr) | Babb (So) | Shaw (Fr) OR Horn (rFr) | ||
| Koger (Fr) OR Moore (Fr) |
Wide Receivers and Slots
Mario Manningham and Adrian Arrington both left to ply their trade in the NFL, leaving Michigan with a very young wide receiver group. Junior Greg Mathews is the most experienced of the bunch, and is a near-lock to be a starter. Sophomores Junior Hemingway and Toney Clemons look to get a lot of playing time as well, with Clemons playing on the outside or in the slot. 4th-year junior LaTerryal Savoy will probably be a depth player. Freshmen should play a significant role in the receiving corps as well. Early enrollee Daryll Stonum may be the most physically gifted wideout on the team, though fellow freshman Roy Roundtree is expected to redshirt. In the slot, freshmen Martavious Odoms, Terrence Robinson, and Michael Shaw will likely contribute.
Stats
| Michigan Wideouts Receiving 2007 | ||||
| Name | Rec | Yds | TD | Yds/Rec |
| Mario Manningham | 72 | 1174 | 12 | 16.31 |
| Adrian Arrington | 67 | 882 | 8 | 13.16 |
| Greg Mathews | 39 | 366 | 3 | 9.38 |
| Junior Hemingway | 4 | 37 | 0 | 9.25 |
| LaTerryal Savoy | 1 | 9 | 0 | 9.00 |
| Toney Clemons | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5.00 |
| Michigan Wideouts Rushing 2007 | ||||
| Name | Att | Yds | TD | Yds/Att |
| Mario Manningham | 19 | 119 | 1 | 6.26 |
| Greg Mathews | 2 | 17 | 0 | 8.50 |
| Junior Hemingway | 5 | 9 | 0 | 1.80 |
Analysis
Stonum is likely the team’s best deep threat, whereas Greg Mathews is a possession-type player. Junior Hemingway and Toney Clemons have speed, and Clemons has very good size, too – he may have put on enough weight in the spring and summer to become a super-athletic tight end. Despite his size, Clemons also has the agility to play in the slot, showing off what a fantastic physical specimen he is. Savoy is a possession receiver, and should only get a few catches all year, unless he has improved drastically in the offseason. In the slot, Odoms and Robinson are both tiny guys with speed to burn and good moves as well. Shaw has a little more size, and may play a slot/RB split duty. He has very good speed as well, and even if he isn’t used in the slot, he will be a good receiver out of the backfield. Those whining about Rodriguez's continuing to recruit wide receivers need only realize that he intends to play with several of them on every play, and look at the thin depth chart.
Tight Ends
At tight end, redshirt junior Carson Butler and redshirt senior Mike Massey are expected to start. Sophomore Martell Webb, redshirt freshman Steve Watson, and freshmen Kevin Koger and Brandon Moore are behind them. There are more tight ends on this team than you can shake a stick at. Carson Butler will likely get the lion's share of starting snaps. Andre Criswell has moved to the defensive line after playing tight end in 2007.
Stats
| Michigan Tight Ends Receiving 2007 | ||||
| Name | Rec | Yds | TD | Yds/Rec |
| Carson Butler | 20 | 246 | 2 | 12.30 |
| Mike Massey | 4 | 38 | 0 | 4.28 |
| Andre Criswell | 2 | 32 | 0 | 5.09 |
| Chris McLaurin | 1 | 11 | 0 | 4.60 |
| Michigan Tight Ends Rushing 2007 | ||||
| Name | Rec | Yds | TD | Yds/Rec |
| Carson Butler | 1 | 16 | 0 | 16.00 |
Analysis
Butler is an athletic tight end, but is prone to mental mistakes like false starts and holding. Massey is the classic Michigan tight end, and is a capable if not exceptional receiver. He has been plagued with injuries throughout his career, and may exceed expectations if he can stay healthy. Webb is a similar athlete to Butler, whereas Steve Watson is more of the classic Michigan TE. It will be interesting to see if he can find a good place on this team. Of the two freshmen, Koger is more ready to play, but his services might be needed on the defensive side of the ball as well, which remains to be seen.
Labels: depth chart, football, personnel, preview
8/07/2008 07:12:00 PM
Clemons is a slot ... duh
8/07/2008 08:46:00 PM
I doubt he will be by the time the season rolls around. He may get a but of playing time there, but he will probably be a split end.
8/07/2008 08:49:00 PM
from what i understand from conversing with people on scout, clemons was in the slot as a result of not having any true slots in the spring. he'll get used in the slot the same way that butler will be used.