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Michigan’s Deep Threats in 2009
The Michigan Wolverines don’t return any experienced deep threat to their 2009 squad. From an article written BleacherReport, let’s take a look at some of Michigan’s deep threats…
1) Junior Hemingway—Hemingway showed one brief but exciting flash against Utah last fall, catching a 33 yard touchdown late in the game to draw it within a score. Hemingway received a medical redshirt because he contracted mono, but at 6’1″ 220 lbs. he could become a serious redzone target, and possibly a dangerous deep threat.
It’s tough to call Hemingway Michigan’s best deep threat without seeing a consistent performance on Saturday. I look for Hemingway to compliment Matthews and share that deep threat role. It’d be great if one of those two turn out to be a consistent deep threat.
2) Darryl Stonum—Stonum got off to an extremely slow start as a true freshman last year, but emerged late in the year displaying the skill set that made him such a highly coveted recruit. Stonum had a 51 yard touchdown reception at Purdue, and a 33 yard catch at Ohio State in what was otherwise an abysmal passing game.
Stonum is another guy that really hasn’t shown much on Saturdays, but he’s had a few flashed to give the fanbase some hope that he’ll be a productive player.
Martavious Odoms
3) Martavious Odoms—He may be small, but don’t underestimate his ball skills even if just a little bit. Odoms was most often used on bubble screens, but his actual strength is downfield against zone coverage. Odoms was open on several intermediate and even deep routes last year but Wolverine quarterbacks failed to connect with him. His speed, quickness and route running have definitely improved this off-season so expect him to be a vertical threat.
Odoms doesn’t have great speed or size, but he gets the job done. I expect Odoms to leverage his experience this season and have a very productive season. Chances are that Odoms will catch most of his balls shy of 15 yards downfield.
4) Roy Roundtree—If the Spring Game this year was any indication, Roundtree is a sleeper in the making that is if you still don’t know about him. He had two touchdowns catches in the scrimmage, one of which was a 50 yard grab from Tate Forcier. Roundtree is fourth on this list, but could jump higher after September 5th with his smooth route running.
As mentioned, Roundtree was the star receiver in the spring game. Roundtree may emerge as a better deep threat than anybody else on this list. I’m looking for a semi-productive year from Roy Roundtree.
5) Je’Ron Stokes—Stokes is the newcomer to the fold. A true freshman, Stokes reminds many of Mario Manningham, and if he can provide that type of impact the Wolverines receiving corps could be very strong. Whoever is throwing the ball his way is going to have a serious vertical option.
Je’Ron’s high school highlight videos show that he’s got some skills, it will be a matter of seeing how those skills translate to the collegiate level and Michigan football.
