Future 1,000+ Yard Receivers at Michigan
Michigan has not had a 1,000+ yard receiver on the football team since Mario Manningham back in 2007. That year there were only 3 receivers with a receiving average over 11 ypc: Manningham (16.3) Adrian Arrington (13.2) and Carson Butler (12.3). The rest who caught passes had way less than 10 yards per catch.
This year, no one UM receiver is even remotely close to 1,000+ yards. The top of the list is RS Fr. Roy Roundtree with 318 yards. Virtually all of Michigan's receivers with 8 catches or more this season have YPC in double digits: Roundtree (13.8), Mathews (12.4), Odoms (12.4), Hemingway (17.5), Stonum (15.8), Koger (13.8).
I was looking back at some of RR's receiver stats at Tulane, Clemson and West Virginia. When he took the job at WVU in 2001 he had already coached three previous circa 1,000 yard receivers:
WR PJ Franklin, Tulane, 1,216 yrds, 10 TDs (1998)
SB Jujuan Dawson, Tulane, 1,030 yrds, 12 TDs (1998)
WR Rod Gardner, Clemson, 1,084 yrds, 4 TDs (1999)
WR Rod Gardner, Clemson, 956 yrds, 6 TDs (2000)
At WVU RR didn't get a 1,000 yard receiver until year 3, when QB Rasheed Marshall was in his 2nd year at QB:
WR Chris Henry, WVU, 1,006 yrds, 10 TDs (2003)
Rodriguez never had another 1,000+ receiver since 2003, though Chris Henry game close again in 2004 (872 yrds, 12 TDs) and so did Darius Reynaud back in 2007 (735 yds, 12 TDs).
Michigan's roster for 2010 is so WR/SB-rich for 2010, it's almost sickening. With two experienced sophomore QBs, the passing game should improve somewhat in 2010, as should the receiver play. Of the 8 receivers with 10 catches or more in 2009, 5 will return to the lineup in 2010. Michigan's youth and experience level at running back in 2010 might also prompt a little more throwing.
If there is a candidate for achieving the 1,000 yard mark in 2010 would have to be Roundtree, because in just 5 games he has as many receptions (23) as Greg Mathews, more yardage than any other receiver and more TD catches (3). Roundtree doesn't have blazing speed, but he's been an excellent possession receiver and his YPC are impressive for a RS freshman.
This year, no one UM receiver is even remotely close to 1,000+ yards. The top of the list is RS Fr. Roy Roundtree with 318 yards. Virtually all of Michigan's receivers with 8 catches or more this season have YPC in double digits: Roundtree (13.8), Mathews (12.4), Odoms (12.4), Hemingway (17.5), Stonum (15.8), Koger (13.8).
I was looking back at some of RR's receiver stats at Tulane, Clemson and West Virginia. When he took the job at WVU in 2001 he had already coached three previous circa 1,000 yard receivers:
WR PJ Franklin, Tulane, 1,216 yrds, 10 TDs (1998)
SB Jujuan Dawson, Tulane, 1,030 yrds, 12 TDs (1998)
WR Rod Gardner, Clemson, 1,084 yrds, 4 TDs (1999)
WR Rod Gardner, Clemson, 956 yrds, 6 TDs (2000)
At WVU RR didn't get a 1,000 yard receiver until year 3, when QB Rasheed Marshall was in his 2nd year at QB:
WR Chris Henry, WVU, 1,006 yrds, 10 TDs (2003)
Rodriguez never had another 1,000+ receiver since 2003, though Chris Henry game close again in 2004 (872 yrds, 12 TDs) and so did Darius Reynaud back in 2007 (735 yds, 12 TDs).
Michigan's roster for 2010 is so WR/SB-rich for 2010, it's almost sickening. With two experienced sophomore QBs, the passing game should improve somewhat in 2010, as should the receiver play. Of the 8 receivers with 10 catches or more in 2009, 5 will return to the lineup in 2010. Michigan's youth and experience level at running back in 2010 might also prompt a little more throwing.
If there is a candidate for achieving the 1,000 yard mark in 2010 would have to be Roundtree, because in just 5 games he has as many receptions (23) as Greg Mathews, more yardage than any other receiver and more TD catches (3). Roundtree doesn't have blazing speed, but he's been an excellent possession receiver and his YPC are impressive for a RS freshman.
November 19th, 2009 at 6:08 PM ^
Just because we are stacked at that position doesnt exactly mean we are going to have a 1,000 yard reciever. It might mean more passing yards for tate. but if we have so many good recievers, i would rather see tate spread the ball around to more recievers.
November 19th, 2009 at 6:28 PM ^
I don't think that we'll see a 1000 yrd reciever bc the ball will be spread around so much. Hopefully it will be something like the 2004 Pistons were any one of those guys could light it up.
November 19th, 2009 at 6:30 PM ^
Roundtree probably won't get 1k yards as a sophomore.
I like him though because he seems to have really good hands. He seems to catch anything thrown his way, and he also seems to have a knack for the big play. I can't wait until Roundtree & Odoms can be on the field at the same time. IIRC, Roundtree practiced earlier this season at both the slot and wide out positions. In the future, couldn't he possibly play wide out to let somebody like Gallon get slot reps opposite Odoms? just a thought.
November 19th, 2009 at 6:40 PM ^
I dont expect us to get a 1000 yard receiver in this offense. When its clicking we'll be rushing alot.
And its not indicitivve of the talent, just the offense.
50 receptions may be a strecth as well.
November 19th, 2009 at 7:04 PM ^
RR has a shot down the road
November 19th, 2009 at 7:09 PM ^
IDK, cuz Id expect Odoms when healthy to take away some of those catches.
November 19th, 2009 at 7:48 PM ^
for saying "IDK cuz"
November 19th, 2009 at 7:17 PM ^
I think it depends more on the level of play that we get from the quarterback more than the receivers. In my opinion there are three or four guys with the talent level to reach 1K.
November 20th, 2009 at 12:32 PM ^
Not even looking at guys on the bench I think Stonum, Hemingway, Odoms and Roundtree all have the talent. The questions are; will Tate continue to progress, will our offensive line get better at pass protection and will there be one receiver who is so much better than the rest that he receives a majority of looks.
November 19th, 2009 at 7:49 PM ^
Hope and expect to see 5 different recievers getting equal touches and similar yardage...harder to stop if you don't know who it's going to.
Go Blue!
(please)
November 19th, 2009 at 8:45 PM ^
Don't underestimate the difficulty of nabbing 1000 yards at the college level. 33 guys did it last year - 17 from the Big 6 conferences. Doing that in a 12-13 game at about an 84 ypg clip is more notable than someone in the NFL doing it over 16 games at 62 yards per. That should put in perspective how fortunate Michigan has been in years past with guys like Edwards, Terrell, Walker, etc.
With that said, it means nothing really. Our QBs overall numbers are far more important than the performance of one individual receiver. Tate's on track to be one of Richrod's most prolific passers, and his efficiency numbers are on par with most Michigan QB performances(if not better). As a freshman, that's a pretty notable achievement. Things can only get better from here.
I don't expect Michigan to come through a 1000 yard guy, mainly because I think RichRod has far, far more talented prospects than he's ever been used to at the position, and he has the luxury of constantly subbing in fresh bodies and keeping multiple guys involved. I really can't see any one receiver sticking out from the pack, but Roundtree sure is doing his best to change that.
November 19th, 2009 at 10:23 PM ^
This is such an irrelevant issue....The situation is obvious....The offense is improving, the new system will be successful over time when the qb is no longer a freshman, and things start to gel...whether or not this leads to a 1,000 yard receiver, I don't know and don't really care.
Lets talk about defense. Defense, defense, defense!!!! In a year or two this offense will score with anyone in the country, but will our defense be able to hit a gap, make a tackle, break up a pass.....I have no clue....but that is where the focus needs to be.
November 19th, 2009 at 10:43 PM ^
Interesting discussion this; maybe I will enjoy a lot of 56 - 34 wins.
Best wishes.
November 19th, 2009 at 11:17 PM ^
Michigan has not had a 1,000+ yard receiver on the football team since Mario Manningham back in 2007.
Back in 2007? You mean we played football all of two years ago?
November 19th, 2009 at 11:22 PM ^
I'm not sure if we will see one receiver with 1,000 yards. But if we have 4 or 5 receivers getting 300 to 400 yards than that would be great! I just hope Tate can get his timing passes down better next season! I'm sure Tate will improve as a sophomore! I'm still thinking that Gardner should be red shirted!
November 20th, 2009 at 10:26 PM ^
For just 1 safety and 1 LB who can @#$%ing play.
November 20th, 2009 at 12:16 AM ^
Offense is fun to talk about. Defense wins. Look at the top D teams in FCS:
Rank Name Ydspgm Wins Losses
1 Texas 232.3 10 0
2 Florida 233.9 10 0
3 Alabama 239.3 10 0
4 TCU 244.9 10 0
5 Ohio St. 258.27 9 2
6 Oklahoma 262.4 6 4
7 Air Force 265.36 7 4
8 North Carolina 268 7 3
9 Penn St. 272 9 2
10 Nebraska 280.1 7 3
11 Iowa 294.45 9 2
12 Boise St. 295.8 10 0
89 Michigan 400.1 5 6
When Michigan cracks this list, we will have arrived. BTW, notice how many Big East teams are on this list? Zero. Things are different in the Big Ten.
November 20th, 2009 at 8:59 AM ^
I hadn't really thought of this before, but you bring up a good point about the Big East. Everyone refuses to play defense. When Rich Rod was at WVU playing against the likes of good Rutgers and Louisville teams, the defense in those games were a joke. Rutgers tried a little.
I think everyone chalked it up to amazing offenses from RR and Bobby Petrino. Maybe we were wrong.
November 20th, 2009 at 9:44 AM ^
is I don't see any Pac-10 teams on there and the pac-10 might be the deepest/best conference in the country. It probably doesn't help them that instead of getting to schedule a patsy in the 12th game, they have to play another conference game.
I agree that improving the defense is the key to getting the football team turned around, I'm just not sure about what your stats say about the big ten. Imo, the big ten is in the middle of a fairly long down cycle. Are there any really good offenses in the big ten? What are the big ten's signature non-conference wins this year? Iowa over Arizona is easily first. OSU over Navy? UM over ND?
Is PSU's defense really that good? They played 4 cupcakes in non-conference play and didn't play Wisky. Iowa and OSU both scored 20+ pts against them and moved the ball pretty well up and down the field. What's their signature win? Minnesota? Purdue? Illinois? UM?
Like I said, I agree that defense wins championships, but it'll be real interesting to see how those 3 big ten defenses listed above do in bowl games this year. I'm guessing the big ten will be lucky to improve on their awful bowl record from last year.
November 20th, 2009 at 9:48 AM ^
Too bad that's not a list of the top teams in FCS. When we look at the top 12 teams in FCS, we find that only 6 of those teams remain and they are in fact joined by 2 Big East teams...
Even if we bump it out to the top 25, only PSU and Iowa can still make the cut and that's in what most everyone will admit is a down year for the Big Ten.
Defense is important but so is not having an inept offense. Last year we had a defense that was quite good and got put in impossible situations by our O and the coaches focused on recruiting offensive players to avoid that in the future. This year the emphasis is on defensive players and will go a long way in balancing the roster.
November 20th, 2009 at 6:26 AM ^
Don't know if Roy will ever get 1000 yards receiving, but it's very encouraging that he seems to be developing a chemistry with Tate. that's huge. given a full season, i think he could develop into a 60+ catch/year kind of guy.
November 20th, 2009 at 8:33 AM ^
I don't think you are going to see very many 1000 yrd receivers in this offense. First, because RR employs so many and second, because it is a run heavy offense.
I don't think this is a huge factor as far as win/loss goes, but it may factor into how many top notch WR's we get interest from in the future. So far though, it doesn't seem to have impacted that too much. We'll see going forward.
November 24th, 2009 at 6:12 PM ^
You can't expect us to have 1000 yard WR with are offense.We put in 8 different WR a game.We don't run stupid pro-style anymore.Get out of the past.We run spread and you have to have depth for the spread.You don't use 2 of the same WR the whole game.We put in like 20.Get out of Lloyd Carr era and get into Rich Rod era.
Comments