Michigan Football: Receiver Drake Harris An Ascending Player

Michigan sophomore receiver Grant Perry's loss has been redshirt sophomore Drake Harris' gain. The 6-4, 185-pounder has been receiving more playing time since Oct. after Perry didn't dress for undisclosed reasons, and though he's only caught one pass for seven yards (against Illinois), he's been targeted much more.

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Wilton Speight overthrew Harris on the first offensive play at Michigan State, but Harris was open by a few yards. Harris drew a pass interference penalty in end zone in the same game, a 32-23 win, that set up a touchdown, and he had a long grab called back for a questionable offensive pass interference penalty in a 59-3 win over Maryland.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh has been pleased with the way he's come on.

"He's been extremely good in practice. He's made plays," Harbaugh said. "In the ball games he's made some really big plays and really hasn't been rewarded fully for them.

"The route he ran in East Lansing at Michigan State, he had great separation and would've caught a touchdown pass. There he was [in the end zone] with the ball coming in, and he gets interfered with. We got a penalty out of it but he didn't get the reward of a touchdown"

Harris will likely continue to get targeted in the weeks to come.

"He made a tremendous play on the catch on the long ball against Maryland, which again didn't seem like a foul at the time or after watching it on tape. But he made an incredible catch and didn't get rewarded for it," Harbaugh said. "He's right there ready to break through.

" It's been a process for him. Playing time has come slow, but I think he's right on the precipice of playing more and becoming a good football player. I'm excited for his progress."