Michigan had a drop problem in 2025, and wide receiver Semaj Morgan was at the center of it more than anyone else. Two analysts on the Locked On Wolverines podcast made that very clear this week.

Host Isaiah Hole and Michigan podcast host Steve Deace were discussing which player frustrated them most watching Michigan last season. Hole pointed to Morgan without hesitation.

"I was greatly offended watching him," Deace said on the Locked On Wolverines podcast, referring to Morgan. "Yes, I think we all were."

The reason Deace felt that way is in the numbers. Morgan led all Michigan receivers with eight drops in 2025. That is a significant total considering Michigan's receivers dropped 29 passes as a team across the entire season.

"But I love Samaj, and I love his family. So, I feel bad. Uh, but uh I think just by virtue of not having him and having other players on the field, not having that fifth or sorry, second drop mountain drops of any of any quarterback in FBS." Hole said on the Locked On Wolverines podcast.

Hole also pointed out on the podcast that Morgan posted the second most drops of any quarterback's targets in the entire FBS last season, per CBS Sports. That stat alone explains the level of frustration.

Those drops had a direct impact on Bryce Underwood too. Underwood completed 60.3 percent of his passes last season. Had those 29 drops been catches, his completion percentage would have been 69 percent.

Across his three seasons at Michigan, Semaj Morgan caught 69 passes for 566 yards and scored six total touchdowns. Morgan has since transferred to UCLA. He is no longer on Michigan's roster heading into 2026.

Hole also noted on the podcast that his absence should benefit Underwood directly. With Morgan gone and the drops going with him, Underwood has a cleaner slate heading into year two.

Michigan has overhauled the receiver room ahead of 2026

The Morgan situation pushed Michigan to rebuild the position from the outside. Texas transfer Jaime Ffrench and Utah transfer JJ Buchanan have both joined the program.

Buchanan had 26 catches for 427 yards and five touchdowns in his freshman season at Utah. Ffrench was a four-star prospect out of high school, per Maize N Brew.

Andrew Marsh is the anchor of the group. He had zero drops in 2025 and is expected to be WR1 heading into the season. His chemistry with Underwood was already the most reliable connection in the offense by the end of last year.

True freshman Salesi Moa has also drawn strong reviews since arriving in Ann Arbor.

Do you think Michigan's receiver room is good enough to help Underwood take the next step in 2026? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Farheen Fathima

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi