Donovan Peoples-Jones' 3 TDs Show Growth

This is what the evolution of a young receiver looks like.

Four catches for 90 yards and three touchdowns, the same number of touchdowns as the Michigan fumbles took all last season.

"I have a lot of teammates that make my job easier," Peoples-Jones said from Michigan Stadium. "The line did a great job. Shea is here to offer you beautiful balls that make it very attractive, very easy to catch.

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In describing Peoples-Jones after the game, junior quarterback Shea Patterson and junior winger Redshirt Zach Gentry used the same phrase:

This is the label that Peoples-Jones had released from Detroit Cass Tech. He was a 5-star rookie and the No. 1 receiver of the country for a reason. Peoples-Jones, it is said, had a unique blend of size, speed and skipping ability.

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These traits were on display last fall, when Peoples-Jones appeared in the 13 games as a true freshman. There were times when he caught or almost captured, which suggested his potential. He had some electrifying returns.

But, as for most younger receivers, there was also a period of adjustment. Peoples-Jones did not always look like the most confident receiver. As some of his teammates have pointed out, he had to refine his technique and his course, the same technical details that separate the receivers from the playmakers.

"Donovan has always been a sporting monster," said Gentry. "But he really learned the system inside and out, and when you learn the system at this level, you are so comfortable that you can play. have done.

"He has improved a lot," said Josh Metellus. "It was a great catcher who came in first grade. You could say that he worked hard. But you could tell this season that he had a little shine on his shoulder, he wanted to do more for the team. He worked a lot, and throughout these three games, we can say that it pays. I really like the way he progresses.

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Last year, there were times when Peoples-Jones passed the defensive backs, but the pitch was far from him. This was not the case against the Mustangs.

He was wide open during his first touchdown, a 35-yard takeover that took place during a game-action pass.

His third touch seemed just as easy: while Michigan were looking to score the game late, Peoples-Jones lined the surface and led a deep post, surpassing the SMU high school while Patterson found him for 41 yards.

"The position Donovan has won since the niche was a great run," said Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh. "It's as much separation as you can get and a very good Shea game, directly on the money."

Patterson added, "He is a monster athlete. I do not think he can do anything. Very smart, very fast and very sporty. I know that if I throw it, I have to put it in its neighborhood. He has a lot of confidence in him.

The second touchdown of Peoples-Jones may have been the most impressive and most important indicator of its growth.

On a first goal of the 7-yard line, Patterson lost ground and left a fade out to Peoples-Jones, who adjusted to the balloon in the air and took the touch.

"It was a beautiful course, a great catch and a great pitch," said Harbaugh.

Patterson said after the match that the duo was working on this type of throwing "often enough" after having polished everything up throughout the fall camp.

However, the fade is something that has disappeared from the repertoire of this team. It is a difficult game that depends on the timing and placement of the ball.

This year, the Wolverines have a quarterback capable of playing. Now they have a receiver that can do the same thing.

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