Much was made about the relative weakness of the wide receiving corps for the Michigan Wolverines in 2015, to the point where the entire group came under a microscope in support of quarterback Jake Rudock. However, one member of that position group exploded in the latter stages of the campaign, and that player was rising senior Jehu Chesson.
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Chesson produced 27 catches for 505 yards and six touchdowns over Michigan's final four games of the 2015 season, and the 6-foot-3, 200-pound speedster finished the year as the top receiver for the Wolverines with 50 catches for 764 yards and nine touchdowns. However, there is some uncertainty surrounding Chesson's health status as the 2016 season approaches.
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh addressed the assembled media on Tuesday, and he had this to say about Chesson's injury status (via MLive.com)
"Here's the thing to understand. Somebody could be cleared by doctors but that doesn't mean they're ready for 100 percent football. So, cleared, come back, see where they're at. There's a process that still has to take place. I can't say, exactly, where he is in relation to Amara Darboh or Grant Perry right now."
"That process (of him being allowed to practice in full) is very near."
The fifth-year senior receiver went down with a knee injury in Michigan's win over Florida in the Citrus Bowl, and Chesson was totally unavailable for spring practice in Ann Arbor. Still, this latest inkling from Harbaugh is quite encouraging, and the Wolverines have the benefit of other talent in the passing game. Veteran option Amara Darboh is back for another season, and Michigan also deploys perhaps the nation's best tight end in Jake Butt.
It will certainly be worth monitoring as to Chesson's status as live game action nears, but Michigan has every incentive to take a steady approach with the explosive downfield threat and they appear to be doing just that.
