Projecting the winners of a key Michigan football position battle

With fall camp underway in Ann Arbor, there are a number of key Michigan football position battles being sorted out right now. Perhaps no offensive battle is more important for the Wolverines than the one going on at wide receiver, where numerous rising stars and veteran players are battling it out for the role of WR1. The Maize and Blue are going to need three starting wideouts this year, and we think that Tyler Morris, Cornelius Johnson, and Roman Wilson fit the build perfectly.

Who will win the Michigan football position battle at wide receiver?

First off, as all fans likely know by now, Cornelius Johnson and Roman Wilson have seen a few solid years in Ann Arbor thus far. Last year, Johnson and Wilson were WR2 and WR3 behind Ronnie Bell, who has since moved on to the NFL, meaning they will both have a shot at being the outright winner of this Michigan football position battle.

Roman Wilson

In 2021, Roman Wilson had a breakout season for Michigan football, emerging as a small-yet-productive offensive weapon throughout the year. Over the past two seasons, Wilson has caught 50 total passes for nearly 800 yards and seven touchdowns despite some issues with injury. This year, fall camp reports indicate that Wilson is finally healed up and looking as dangerous as ever.

Cornelius Johnson

Cornelius Johnson is a massive 6-foot-3 wide receiver for the Wolverines, and like Wilson, he has seen his fair share of important in-game action. A season ago, Johnson stood out during the Wolverines’ 45-23 win over Ohio State — he also hauled in 32 passes last year for a grand total of 499 yards and six touchdowns. Heading into what will likely be his final year with Michigan football, Johnson could find himself atop the depth chart at wide receiver by the time Big Ten play rolls around.

Tyler Morris

A name that has been said a lot during fall camp is Tyler Morris, a sophomore wide receiver and former teammate of JJ McCarthy from their first few years of high school ball. According to McCarthy and a few other offensive standouts, such as fellow WR Roman Wilson, Tyler Morris and his quarterback have a special connection. While many are expecting Johnson or Wilson to take home the role of WR1, don’t be shocked if Morris makes a strong case throughout the first few weeks as well — in fact, at worst, I suspect he will find a starting role as WR3.

It will likely take a few games to find a clear-cut order for these three, but for the time being, my suspicion is that Roman Wilson, Cornelius Johnson, and Tyler Morris all earn starting roles at wide receiver. Behind these three standouts will likely be Darius Clemons, who has gotten his fair share of preseason hype, as well as spring game standout wide receiver Peyton O’Leary.