Andrel Anthony, WR (Oklahoma Duke): Anthony had injury issues over his time in Norman and made just 1 catch for 4 yards this past season. He transferred to Duke after the season.
Jeremiah Beasley, LB (Missouri): Beasley made 7 tackles while playing in eleven games as a freshman.
Tristan Bounds, OT (Arizona): Bounds played just one offensive snap for Michigan this year and transferred to Arizona after the season.
2023 Starters: Cornelius Johnson, Roman Wilson Losses: Darrius Clemons (Oregon State), Johnson (NFL), Wilson (NFL) Returning players: Eamonn Dennis (RS Sr.), Peyton O’Leary (RS Jr.), Tyler Morris (RS So.), Karmello English (So.), Frederick Moore (So.), Semaj Morgan (So.), Kendrick Bell (RS Fr.) Newcomer: Channing Goodwin (Fr.) Projected starters: Morris, Morgan
For some teams who play three and four wide receivers on every down, losing two senior wide receivers might not seem like a huge deal. So in the context of college football, the departures of Cornelius Johnson (47 catches, 604 yards, 1 touchdown) and Roman Wilson (48, 789, 12) might not seem like a huge deal. Johnson was the large-ish possession receiver, and Wilson was the speedy deep and intermediate threat. And then there were usually a couple tight ends roaming all over the place. Altogether, Michigan got just 47 other receptions from receivers not named Johnson or Wilson, and 3 of those came from Clemons, who is now plying his trade for the Beavers.
Based on playing time and targets last season, the two front-runners for starting roles in 2024 should be Morris and Morgan. Morris started four games – so he’s kind of a returning starter, I guess – and made 13 catches for 197 yards and 1 touchdown. But that one touchdown was a huge, key play when he got matched up against a linebacker against Alabama in the Rose Bowl and caught a crossing route for a 38-yard touchdown. Meanwhile, Morgan caught 22 passes for 204 yards and 2 touchdowns, and he also had an 87-yard punt return against Iowa in the Big Ten Championship game. He showed some downfield receiving chops in high school, but so far he’s been more of a catch-and-run guy with jitterbug moves – witness his screen catch for a TD against Washington – and adding in 4 carries for 67 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Last year’s spring game star was walk-on Peyton O’Leary (2 catches, 13 yards, 1 touchdown), who could factor in more this season if Michigan needs a big possession guy at 6’4″ and 190 lbs. Frederick Moore (4 catches, 32 yards) and Karmello English (1 catch, 6 yards, 1 touchdown) will also factor in somehow. Some people think Moore could be the fastest player on the team.
Players with less of a chance to make an impact include fifth year senior Eamonn Dennis (who has yet to make a catch in his career but plays a lot of special teams), Kendrick Bell (who was a high school quarterback until making the position switch last year), and early enrollee freshman Channing Goodwin. Bell’s brother Ronnie is now a wide receiver in the NFL with the 49ers, and Goodwin has some good bloodlines, as his father was a lineman for Michigan and in the NFL. But it’s unlikely that any of them play a huge role in 2024.
Name: Eamonn Dennis Height: 5’10” Weight: 184 lbs. High school: Worcester (MA) St. John’s Position: Wide receiver Class: Redshirt junior Jersey number: #80 Last year: I ranked Dennis #76 and said he would be a backup cornerback (LINK). He played in twelve games on special teams. TTB Rating: 79
Dennis made the switch from cornerback to wide receiver last summer, but it didn’t make much of a difference when it came time to see the field. He played in twelve games last season, but it was exclusively on special teams. So far in three seasons on campus, he has not played on offense or defense.
Darrius Clemons reported to Sam Webb that Dennis is the fastest player on the team, but whether that translates to actually playing receiver at all, we’ll have to see. For now I’m going to assume that Dennis’s main role will continue to be on special teams coverage. There’s been no buzz about his ability to contribute at receiver or on kickoff/punt returns. Special teams players have some value, of course, but his upside for the team overall is limited unless he can play offense or defense.
Prediction: Backup wide receiver and special teamer
Name: Eamonn Dennis Height: 5’10” Weight: 175 lbs. High school: Worcester (MA) St. John’s Position: Cornerback Class: Redshirt sophomore Jersey number: #37 Last year: I ranked Dennis #75 and said he would be a backup cornerback (LINK). He played in three games on special teams. TTB Rating: 79
Dennis was a standout all-around player in high school who has yet to gain his footing at Michigan. Despite being a three-way superstar, Michigan can’t seem to find a place for him. After redshirting as a freshman, he played in the first three games last season on special teams and was never heard from again.
It’s going to be tough to break in at cornerback in 2022, also, with both D.J. Turner II and Gemon Green returning with starting experience, as well as 5-star freshman Will Johnson now on the roster. Things could potentially open up in 2023 for some more contributors when Green and Turner will likely be gone, but for this season, Dennis’s best chance to play is probably to expand his role on special teams.
Name: Eamonn Dennis Height: 5’10” Weight: 180 lbs. High school: Worcester (MA) St. John’s Position: Cornerback Class: Redshirt freshman Jersey number: Redshirt freshman Last year: I ranked Dennis #71 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He redshirted. TTB Rating: 79
When Dennis committed to Michigan, he was the classic “athlete” whose positional destination constantly seemed to be up in the air. He played some running back in high school, but it was clear he would be playing wide receiver in college . . . or cornerback . . . or wideout. Or corner. Eventually, former defensive coordinator Don Brown won out, and Dennis ended up on that side of the ball. As a good athlete with no real home, it seemed like an obvious conclusion that he would redshirt unless there were a bunch of injuries.
Dennis once again appears to be headed for a bench role in 2021. With Gemon Green, Vincent Gray, and D.J. Turner appearing to be jockeying for starting roles at corner, all the other corners – including Dennis, Andre Seldon, and Darion Green-Warren – will probably be fighting for scraps of playing time. I still like Dennis’s potential, but he’s a player who probably has to be in college for three or four years until he fully blossoms.
