How the offseason prepared Michigan WR Semaj Morgan for an early role
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — All offseason, we heard about how the two freshman wide receivers who arrived early had an inside track to see the field early.
Sometimes that’s just bluster, but on Saturday, when first-year wideout Semaj Morgan hauled in a long pass while tangling with a Rutgers cornerback one-on-one, it became evident that the stories of the freshmen were true.
Despite only having played in four games in his college career, Morgan appears to be a bit more seasoned than the average first-year player. While he says he’s still working on ‘the little details’ and insists that he has a lot more to his game to unveil, Morgan says that his dedication to his craft and the playbook, along with divine favor has helped him see the field early and often.
“I feel like my work ethic is second to none,” Morgan said. “And God graced me with some talent I definitely can put to use. I just feel like hard work — cream always gonna rise to the top. And I feel like with me just working how I work, I feel like God’s favor. I got ‘favor’ tatted on my neck! I feel like I got favor from God. So if I’m working hard, do what I’m supposed to do, it’s all gonna play out. That’s how I feel.”
But was it that simple? Did Morgan just have to show up and work hard?
Well, it was a bit more challenging than that.
Morgan was one of a handful of freshmen who not only enrolled early but also participated in bowl game preparation and practice with the team as the Wolverines traveled to Phoenix to face TCU in the College Football Playoff. Fresh out of high school, Morgan’s head was spinning — with newfound freedom as well as learning everything that being a college player entailed. He wasn’t anticipating the 6 a.m. workouts, the level of detail necessary, the physical, grueling grind. Once he got through bowl prep and then spring ball — which was a different animal, he says — his head started getting screwed on straight.
Looking back, Morgan is thankful that he got those experiences because he’s certain that without them, he wouldn’t be ready to see the field as he is now.
“I feel like that was very beneficial because when we first got here, it was like we was deer in headlights when we first got here,” Morgan said. “Like, you know how fast everything went and I feel like if I would have came in the summer, I don’t know how fast I would have picked up on the offense. But, being here in the spring and being here in the wintertime, bowl prep, I feel like it helped me because — I wouldn’t say I’m a slower learner but it takes a little bit more for me to grasp certain things. So I feel like it was really big for me to be here back in bowl prep.”
While that’s his own experience, that’s not the impression that one of the leaders on the Wolverines had of Morgan.
Fifth-year nickel back and team captain Mike Sainristil has known the former West Bloomfield (Mich.) product for five years now, and he’s always seen a burgeoning wideout who was more mature than his age perhaps indicated.
“I would have never known if you didn’t say he said that,” Sainristil said of Morgan’s insistence that he was in a little over his head. “I thought Semaj came in and looked pretty good. I’ve known Semaj since I was a freshman. I used to work out with him when I was a receiver and he’s always looked like a really good receiver to me. I guess you could say it’s good to finally see him coming along and growing and becoming more of a team player. But I feel like if he stays consistent, stays on the path he is right now, he’s gonna be very special here.”
Fans will get another opportunity to see Morgan in action on Saturday when Michigan football travels to Nebraska. Kickoff will be at 3:30 p.m. EDT and the game will be broadcast on Fox.
