At times it seems like everyone’s eyes are on freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood. But if new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey’s scheme is as advertised, the Michigan football team has several skill position players primed to share the spotlight.
And in junior wide receiver Semaj Morgan’s case, he knows exactly what he wants people to see.
“I’m excited to show the world how I can run,” Morgan said Tuesday. “I feel like I’m real fast. They sleeping on me.”
Morgan already did show off his wheels a couple of years ago. It may feel like a distant memory, but just two years ago his 87-yard punt return was a highlight play on Michigan’s path to the national championship.
His impact on special teams, and even out wide, down the stretch in 2023 created an exciting foundation for Morgan to build on. Last year was supposed to be Morgan’s time to show off how fast he can run. Instead, his numbers regressed both on special teams and on offense. His longest return was just 22 yards as he never quite found a time to break off a big play. He also only posted 139 receiving yards, but that was with a weak quarterback room and since-fired playcaller Kirk Campbell.
Now Lindsey and Underwood are in town, setting the stage for Morgan to finally show off the explosiveness that he showed glimpses of as a freshman. Through one game, Morgan hasn’t exactly grabbed everyone’s attention with four catches for 33 yards. But Lindsey clearly trusts Morgan and is putting him in a position to be a top threat in his offense — including calling for Underwood to target him first Saturday.
“I feel like I’m really electric if I get the ball in my hands early,” Morgan said. “So I just feel like it was real big for me, just getting my confidence there early in the game, and like just getting that first hit, so I can get the jitters out.”
Many of Lindsey’s calls against New Mexico were suited for Morgan’s style. Morgan’s at his best when getting the ball in space and picking up more yards after the catch. Maybe it was just to be conservative with such a young quarterback, but Morgan was frequently running bubble screens and quick routes near the line of scrimmage.
As Underwood grows more comfortable, those opportunities for Morgan will be amplified. But the burden isn’t all on Underwood to revive the passing attack; in fact, his youth is pushing Morgan to work harder.
“It’s just the execution part,” Morgan said. “Like last year, I feel like we lacked detail. And (wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy) always emphasizes his details. So in practice during the week, we really focus on our details and stuff. So when we get to the game, it’s like we know what to do. We’re always in the right spot at the right time. Having a young quarterback, you can’t really — you don’t really have room to mess up. The details are very, like 10 times more important this year.”
As important as execution is, the Wolverines had some breathing room against the Lobos, Morgan himself dropped a punt return. But in Norman, against one of the best defenses in the country, Morgan, Underwood and the rest of the offense will have to get every detail right. And if all the pieces fall into place, “they” might stop sleeping on Morgan after all.
The post Semaj Morgan anticipating showing off speed in new offense appeared first on The Michigan Daily.
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