Semaj Morgan is convinced that he can become a catalyst for the Michigan Wolverines
Detroit — There are a lot of unknowns about Michigan’s offense for the upcoming football season, but second-year receiver Semaj Morgan is absolutely confident he can be a difference maker.
In fact, his teammates have the same feeling about the 5-foot-10, 175-pound Morgan, who likes to prove he plays bigger than he is. Morgan transferred to Michigan from West Bloomfield High and had 67 yards and two touchdowns on four carries as a freshman last year, along with 204 yards on 22 catches and two more touchdowns. He also returned kicks and punts.
“Semaj is going to be the same guy everywhere he goes. The dog you see on the field is going to be the same person you talk to in the locker room after the game,” sophomore running back Ben Hall said recently. “Having a guy like him on your team is a catalyst for a lot of big things. You see him come in and make big plays, make big runs, make big catches, he can do it all. When you have a guy with that kind of energy, it’s just transformative for your team.”
Morgan exuded confidence from the moment he first stepped foot in Michigan, but in speaking to reporters early last season, he talked about the challenges of transitioning from high school to college and beyond, learning the playbook.
However, he has found his way and said he is comfortable with every aspect of the college experience now that his sophomore season is approaching.
“I feel like I’m different, like my attitude that I bring every day,” Morgan said. “It’s the confidence that I bring, the mentality that I bring.”
Morgan said he has continued to improve since his offseason training and trusts his coaches.
“I feel like they’re preparing me,” he said. “The whole process of being a college player, going through my freshman year, it’s a process of growing and realizing things. I feel like it’s going to help me excel this year and next year. I’m just starting to understand things better. Right now, I feel like I’m at a point where I can get better every day.”
With the departure of top receivers Roman Wilson, who led the team in receiving touchdowns last season, and Cornelius Johnson, Morgan will have to take on a larger role. But he’s always been prepared to play bigger when facing bigger defensive backs.
“Semaj Morgan plays like he’s 6-foot-5,” Alex Orji, who is vying for Michigan’s starting quarterback job, said recently at a quarterback camp he helped host in Detroit. “He’s a dog. He’s great to be around because you can tell he always has that resentment when guys tell him maybe he’s not big enough or maybe he’s not strong enough. He’ll show you he’s a dog. He’s going to play great football.”
Playing at a higher level doesn’t just require relying on athletic talent, although that’s a big part of it. Morgan said he has a 40-inch vertical throw and for the first time in 10th class after clipping the edge of the tire in eighth grade.
“I’m coming up there,” Morgan said, smiling.
But to make these plays against bigger defensive backs, you also have to study film and understand tendencies, not to mention the muscle memory that comes from lots of repetition in practice.
Morgan agreed with Hall’s assessment that he can be a catalyst for big plays this season. He also said he sees himself being used in a variety of ways. How exactly?
“Wide receiver, running back, quarterback, returner,” Morgan said without hesitation.
He also doesn’t hesitate to share his belief in this team that just won the national championship. The Wolverines’ defense isn’t expected to drop much, but they will have new starters at quarterback and on the offensive line, while running back and tight end are strong positions. At the receiver position, there will be a new combination, led by Morgan.
He has heard the voices doubting this team’s ability to compete this season.
“We’re not playing that game at all,” Morgan said. “Last year they said we wouldn’t win anything and we won the whole thing. They say we probably won’t be as good this year, but they really don’t know anything. At the end of the day, it’s the fans and the people who don’t know. Why play that game? That’s how I feel about it.”
“I know everything about the team, man. I feel like we’re going to have a great year this year, and whatever they say, it is what it is. They’ll be talking about something else very soon.”
@chengelis
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