Tag: Amara Darboh

2016 Season Countdown: #14 Amara Darboh

Amara Darboh

Name: Amara Darboh
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 215 lbs.
High school: West Des Moines (IA) Dowling Catholic
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Fifth year senior
Jersey number: #82
Last year: I ranked Darboh #6 and said he would have 50 catches for 650 yards and 4 touchdowns (LINK). He made 58 catches for 727 yards and 5 touchdowns.

I was impressed with the strides Darboh made from 2014 to 2015, and I mean that in a literal sense. Maybe being a full year recovered from his foot injury made the difference, or maybe it was the new strength and conditioning staff. But either way, he had a little extra juice, and Michigan took advantage of that at times by running some quick screens. The younger version of Darboh would have been chopped down quickly, but redshirt junior Darboh blew past some corners and stiff-armed others. As always, he was a reliable possession target, and he had one of the highlights of the year for the Wolverines when he made a leaping, twisting, one-handed catch against BYU. Darboh led the team in receptions and finished second to Jehu Chesson in both receptions and receiving yardage.

I’m dropping Darboh in this year’s countdown for a couple reasons. First of all, Chesson developed into the bigger receiving threat as the season went on. Second, I think the pack has caught up to Darboh a little bit, with Maurice Ways, Drake Harris, Grant Perry, and a couple freshmen being able to contribute. And third, with more receiving options at tight end, the wideouts could become less emphasized if the game plan, opponent, and personnel packages deem them so. Darboh will start and should remain a frequent target on the outside, but I don’t think he’s quite as valuable as last year, when he and Butt were the only proven targets.

Prediction: Starting wide receiver; 45 catches, 600 yards, 4 touchdowns

read more

Spring Football Preview: Wide Receivers

Amara Darboh (image via KSL)

Projected starters: Fifth year senior Amara Darboh was Michigan’s leading receiver for most of last season, and he finished with 58 catches (#1 on the team), 727 yards (#2), and 5 TDs (#2). He returns with a spot virtually locked down, and he should be ready to go when spring begins. The latter cannot be said for fifth year senior Jehu Chesson, who had 50 catches (#3), 764 yards (#1), and 9 TDs (#1). Chesson was injured in Michigan’s bowl game and will likely miss spring ball while recovering from that undisclosed injury. Michigan did not get much production from the wide receivers behind them, but redshirt sophomore Maurice Ways, Jr. earned more playing time as the season went along, finishing with 3 catches for 40 yards total. If we’re going by trajectory, he would be the starter opposite Darboh this spring.

Hit the jump for more on the wide receiver position.

read more

Michigan vs. BYU Awards

Jake Rudock

Let’s see more of this guy on offense . . . Ty Isaac. Starter De’Veon Smith had a very good game (16 carries, 125 yards, 1 touchdown) on Saturday, but then he went down with a right foot injury. The nature of the injury is unknown at this point, but he came back to the sideline in a walking boot for the end of the game. If he does have a boo-boo that will keep him out for next week’s game against Maryland or more, Isaac needs more carries. After an 8-carry, 114-yard game against UNLV, he got just 2 carries for 9 yards against BYU. Even after Smith was injured, Derrick Green (10 carries, 28 yards) got the bulk of the touches.

Hit the jump for the rest of the awards.
read more

2015 Season Predictions

Here are my predictions for the upcoming year:

Leading Rusher
I think Michigan will run the ball pretty well this year, but no running back is likely to run away with the yardage lead. There are three or four backs who could emerge as the leader, but my guess is that the week one starter, De’veon Smith, edges out the others.
Prediction: De’Veon Smith, 700 yards

Leading Receiver
The receiving corps is underwhelming, and the only big-play threats are guys who are totally unproven at this point. I’ll go with the consistent guy who lacks flash in redshirt junior Amara Darboh.
Prediction: Amara Darboh, 650 yards

Leading Tackler
Senior Joe Bolden finished his junior year second on the team with 102 tackles. The leading tackler (Jake Ryan) left, and the other inside linebacker (Desmond Morgan) isn’t quite as athletic as Bolden. I’ll give Bolden the edge here, and I think these two are really the only realistic candidates unless injuries occur.
Prediction: Joe Bolden, 100 tackles

Hit the jump for the rest.
read more

2015 Season Countdown: #6 Amara Darboh

Amara Darboh

Name: Amara Darboh
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 216 lbs.
High school: West Des Moines (IA) Dowling Catholic
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #82
Last year: I ranked Darboh #20 and said he would be a starting wide receiver with 30 catches for 450 yards and 4 touchdowns. He made 36 catches for 473 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Last year Michigan’s clear #1 target – both literally and metaphorically – was Devin Funchess. Unfortunately, Funchess looked reluctant to carry that mantle, and the steadier target turned out to be Darboh. In a pretty weak passing game, he found himself open fairly regularly and almost never dropped the ball. Funchess made some spectacular plays, but Darboh was the possession guy. His best career game came against Indiana (whose doesn’t come against Indiana?) when he caught 9 passes for 107 yards and 1 touchdown.

This year Darboh is still a #2 guy in a lot of ways. He might be the best wide receiver on the team, but he’s not a guy who scares a defense or can take over a game. Furthermore, Michigan’s most talented catcher of passes is probably tight end Jake Butt, who will be deployed in a tight end-friendly offense. Because of his sure hands and solid frame, Darboh should be targeted often for a team that will probably need to dink and dunk its way down the field. The Wolverines have a couple speedsters, like Jehu Chesson and Drake Harris, but neither player has proven to be very reliable in their five combined years on campus. I expect Darboh to lead the Wolverines in catches and yardage.

Prediction: Starting wide receiver; 50 catches, 650 yards, 4 touchdowns