Tag: Bo Dever

2015 Season Countdown: #67 Bo Dever

Bo Dever

Name: Bo Dever
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 199 lbs.
High school: Lake Forest (IL) Lake Forest
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #3
Last year: I ranked Dever #84 and said he would be a backup wide receiver. He started one game and caught 1 pass for 26 yards.

Dever saw some action in 2014, probably more than what most expected when he came into college. Brady Hoke was fond of large slot receivers, and Dever managed to start one game against Maryland. He also caught 1 pass for 26 yards against Indiana. Otherwise, he was not used much or targeted often. Still, that’s a pretty solid redshirt sophomore year for a walk-on.

Michigan has few established receivers going into the 2015 season. Amara Darboh is a possession guy, and Jehu Chesson seems to be a role player. Otherwise, the receiving corps is full of question marks. For the second year in a row, Dever got a fair amount of run in the spring game and looks like a guy who can catch an occasional ball. He is not going to beat anybody over the top or break any long runs after a catch, but Michigan is going to have to dink and dunk its way down the field unless a deep threat appears out of nowhere. It seems like Michigan is full of possession guys and not much else.

Prediction: Backup wide receiver

2014 Season Countdown: #84 Bo Dever

Bo Dever (image via Jasper Sailfin Photography)

Name: Bo Dever
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 195 lbs.
High school: Lake Forest (IL) Lake Forest
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #3
Last year: I did not rank Dever. He played in one game.

If you’re unfamiliar with Dever’s story, here’s a good place to start: his hometown newspaper. His father David played offensive guard for Michigan from 1984-1987, and the current Wolverine is nicknamed in honor of David’s coach, Bo Schembechler. Bo Dever came to Michigan as a preferred walk-on in the 2012 class. He redshirted as a freshman, played in the Central Michigan game last year, and watched the rest of the season from the sideline.

Dever caught a pass in the spring game and looked pretty smooth in doing so. He is probably not athletic enough to beat out the Devin Funchess, Drake Harris, and Freddy Canteen types, but he could be a possession guy who catches a ball here or there. He is also thickly built and could help as a blocker. The Wolverines are stacking some good talent at wide receiver, so it will be difficult to break through that wall.

Prediction: Backup wide receiver

An interview with 2012 preferred walk-on WR Bo Dever

Bo Dever

In one of the more engaging and enjoyable interviews that I’ve done so far, former walk-on defensive lineman and current Manhattan mogul Tim North made an interesting and true statement about walk-on players.  “You couldn’t have a football program without walk-ons,”  Tim Said.  “I mean, it would be impossible to have a practice without walk-ons.”  In the end, Tim did more than just practice with the team, eventually earning substantial playing time and, most importantly, a Michigan degree that allowed him to cultivate a successful career.

2012 preferred walk-on wide wide receiver Bo Dever from Lake Forest, IL, also knows about the value of walking on at Michigan.  Ignoring some interest from other schools, Bo chose to attend the alma mater of his father, Dave Dever, who played as a defensive lineman under Bo Schembechler.  And if you’re wondering, it’s no coincidence that Bo shares his name with the legendary coach for whom his father played.

Here are some quick hits from my conversation with Bo shortly before he traveled to Ann Arbor.

Feeling comfortable:  “I have a few high school friends who go to school up there in Ann Arbor and aren’t on the team, so the transition should be pretty simple.  Also, [I’ve built relationships with] A.J. Williams and Chris Womley.  Chris was actually out here a couple weeks ago in Chicago.  He and his buddies came up here and stayed at my house for a couple days.  A.J. and I talk pretty much every day.  We’re rooming together in the fall.”

Awards despite injury:  “Last year I got hurt (ACL) in game four or five, and I was out for the rest of the year.  But I’m back to 100% now.  Last season I was still All-Conference, All-Area. . .”

Height, weight, style of play:  “I’m 6’2” and 200 lbs.  Going into the season I’d like to be 205/210 and sophomore year maybe 215 because I’m more of that bigger possession receiver coming across the middle.  I’m not going to run a 4.4 forty or be a deep threat guy.  I’m that big body, catch in traffic guy. . . I’d also like to play some special teams.”

Michigan heritage:  “My dad played football at Michigan back in the mid to late eighties, so ever since I was growing up, I wanted to go there.  And when I had to decide, I knew I wouldn’t be happy anywhere else. “

Expectations:  “I’m excited.  I just want to go out and do what’s best for the team.  I need to go out there and prove myself first [before thinking about playing time], and not get too hot in the head.”