Micah Simon details how relentless practice habits and a growing "circle of trust" empower Bryce Underwood to take shots, transforming raw athleticism into elite Big Ten production.
Success in big time college football rarely appears out of nowhere on a fall Saturday afternoon. For Michigan wide receivers coach Micah Simon, the acrobatic sideline catches and tight coverage plays making highlight reels are simply the daily byproduct of a high standard established long before kickoff.
Speaking to the media ahead of Michigan’s upcoming rivalry showdown, Simon emphasized that elite playmaking boils down to routine habits built in practice. When asked about wideouts Andrew Marsh and JJ Buchanan making difficult snags look smooth and effortless, the first year assistant pointed directly to the daily work put in behind closed doors.
"You practice how you play," Simon said. "Most of those guys do that every day. That's a point of emphasis for the entire team. You don't just show up on Saturday and make things happen."
That relentless commitment creates a vital connection between pass catchers and young signal caller Bryce Underwood. Simon noted that his receiver room focuses heavily on presenting reliable targets even when defender coverage looks tight, giving their quarterback complete faith to push the ball downfield without hesitation.
"We work on that individually as wideouts as well, as being available for the quarterback, even when you may not look available," Simon explained. "Just tell Bryce, give us a chance, and we'll always try to come down with the ball."
While Marsh and Buchanan have surfaced as a dynamic tandem, Simon sees plenty of room for improvement. Marsh brings smooth athleticism and strong hands, while the tall Buchanan offers a massive target who naturally wins individual mismatches against smaller defensive backs. Yet, despite their early production, Simon is pushing both players to refine their route running technique so they do not always have to rely on contested snags.
"This past game, I felt like we left a few out there," Simon acknowledged. "There's a few things technique-wise that we can create a little more separation so everything is not always as contested."
Beyond the top duo, Michigan continues working to expand its rotation. Younger receivers like Channing Goodwin are pushing for extra snaps, but entering the primary rotation requires earning what Simon calls the circle of trust.
"It's putting yourself in position day in, day out, to kind of consistently have that trust from us as coaches," Simon said. "He's practiced really well the last couple of weeks. So as things continue to move forward, there's a strong chance you see him out there more than you have previously."
As Michigan fine tunes its offensive identity, Simon remains focused on complete, unselfish execution. Developing consistent depth allows the coaching staff to rotate personnel groups effectively while keeping opposing defensive coordinators guessing. The ultimate goal is building a balanced attack where any playmaker on the perimeter can punish secondaries. For Simon, progress is measured purely by results, and building that depth guarantees Michigan stays potent late in games.
