Wide receivers coach Micah Simon targets a "no-block, no-rock" mentality, demanding gritty reliability and tactical versatility to transform Michigan’s perimeter into a dominant, blue-collar offensive force.
Michigan football wide receivers coach Micah Simon met with the media during fall camp, offering a transparent look into the culture he is building in Ann Arbor. As part of a new coaching staff under head coach Kyle Whittingham, Simon is focused on moving away from finesse-based stereotypes and establishing a unit defined by trust, versatility, and a blue-collar work ethic.
The Circle of Trust
At the heart of Simon’s philosophy is the "circle of trust," a standard he adopted through his long-standing professional relationship with the offensive staff. For Simon, technical route running is secondary to reliability. A receiver earns their place in the rotation by demonstrating they are dependable in every phase of the game.
"For a receiver to get in the circle of trust is, can you be dependable? Can you block when you're asked to block? And then just make plays when the ball comes your way," Simon explained. He emphasized a "no-block, no-rock" mentality, making it clear that perimeter blocking is non-negotiable in an offense that intends to remain one of the nation’s top rushing attacks.
Developing an Explosive, Balanced Offense
Simon addressed concerns regarding how his receivers will produce in an offense historically known for being run-heavy. He pointed to his past stops—including a highly balanced year at Utah where the team featured a 1,000-yard rusher and two receivers nearing 900 yards—as evidence that the system can highlight wideouts while maintaining physical dominance.
The coaching staff is pushing for a "common sense" approach to route running. Rather than demanding rigid adherence to scripted depths that rarely occur in real-game chaos, Simon encourages his players to be "friendly with the quarterback," adjusting to coverage in real-time to create windows.
Competition and Personnel
The wide receiver room is currently a "good problem" for the staff, characterized by intense competition for the third spot in the rotation. Simon highlighted several key contributors:
JJ Buchanan: The Utah transfer brings critical familiarity with the offensive system and has stepped up as a leader for the younger players.
Jaime Ffrench: The talented true sophomore has settled in well after transferring from Texas. Simon noted that Ffrench has grown significantly from the spring to now, despite the challenge of learning a new playbook in a new environment on such a short timeline.
Andrew Marsh: Despite not being the biggest or fastest player on the field, Marsh remains a standout due to his high football IQ, fluidity, and elite ball skills.
The Freshmen: True freshmen Travis Johnson and Salesi Moa are making a rapid impact. Simon noted their basketball backgrounds help them excel at "50-50" contested catches, and he confirmed it is "very realistic" to expect them to play meaningful snaps this fall.
Channing Goodwin: After missing spring practice, Goodwin has impressed the staff with a veteran presence that provides much-needed stability to a young room.
Iron Sharpens Iron
Simon also offered high praise for the Michigan secondary, noting that while it is frustrating to see his receivers locked up during practice, the competition is vital. "They might get a pick here and there or lock us up, and I'm upset," Simon said. "But I keep telling them, hey, I'll be your biggest fan on Saturdays."
As the Wolverines head toward kickoff, the message from the receiver room is clear: the era of individual stat-chasing is out, and a disciplined, team-first culture is in. By prioritizing blocking, chemistry, and accountability, Simon is preparing his unit to be an essential component of a multi-dimensional Michigan offense.
