To many people’s surprise, Jim Harbaugh recently announced that junior wide receiver Grant Perry’s suspension has ended and he has rejoined the team, despite being involved in an ongoing criminal case.
Perry was suspended for two games last October, before being suspended indefinitely after an arraignment later in the season, causing him to miss the bowl game and all of spring practice.
His return certainly provides a boost, though, to a receiving corps that is filled entirely with youth and inexperience.
The Wolverines lost key veteran receivers Amara Darboh and Jehu Chesson to graduation after last season, taking a combined 1,362 receiving yards with them.
Then, just over a week ago, it was announced that redshirt junior Drake Harris would be moved from receiver to defensive back. Harbaugh also confirmed recently that freshman Brad Hawkins would be making the exact same move.
As a result, the Wolverines are now incredibly young at receiver, with only two scholarship players who are in at least their third year in the program – Perry and redshirt junior Moe Ways.
Granted, the young receivers on the roster are certainly talented, but hardly any of them have seen meaningful playing time. Sophomores Eddie McDoom and Kekoa Crawford saw some action last season, but only combined for nine receptions.
The freshmen class is being hailed as arguably the best in school history at the position, but none of them have obviously ever seen any game action.
Freshmen Donovan Peoples-Jones and Tarik Black – along with perhaps another freshman or two – will be expected to contribute heavily this season, but there could be some growing pains with them early.
Perry will at least provide a veteran presence at the position, and give redshirt junior quarterback Wilton Speight a proven, reliable weapon to work with.
Here’s a look at the unit as a whole:
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