Name: Junior Hemingway
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 227 lbs.
High school: Conway High School in Conway, SC
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #21
Last year: I ranked Hemingway #20 and said he'd be the breakout offensive player. He had 16 catches for 268 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Okay, I was duped. I thought that the arrival of Tate Forcier would mean more passes thrown to the outside receivers. I predicted that Hemingway would be 2009's breakout offensive player (in retrospect, Roy Roundtree should probably have been given that title). Even the opening game against WMU seemed to bode well for my prediction skills, when he caught 5 balls for 103 yards and 2 touchdowns. Unfortunately, Hemingway was still slow (10 punt returns for 86 yards, an 8.6 yard average) and slightly injury prone, dealing with nagging injuries much of the season.
At 227 lbs., Hemingway is the heaviest receiver in my Michigan memory. He reportedly has great athleticism when going after the ball and getting it at its highest point, but the aforementioned "slowness" is a bit of a problem sometimes. No longer do I see him as a potential breakout player, not with Denard Robinson leading the charge to start at quarterback and Roundtree emerging at wideout. Hopefully Hemingway can block in the running game and make occasional plays in the passing game, but Robinson and the running backs should lead a powerful, explosive, run-oriented offense in 2010. I think Hemingway missed his small window of opportunity to step out front and become a star, but he has two years to prove me wrong.
Prediction for 2010: Starting wide receiver; 25 receptions, 300 yards, 4 touchdowns
Magnus,
ReplyDeleteHe was injured in the WMU game IIRC and never at 100% after that. Also, I'll take a 8.6 yard average on punt returns with 0 fumbles.
-ShockFX
It's not just that he's heavy; it's that this weight is on only a 6'1" frame. Is Hemingway's starting status just a lack of viable alternatives (this sounds more disrespectful than I meeant it, I like JR) or is it that he's a really good blocker (I bet at 6'1" 223 that he can really throw some DBs around) or is it that Hemingway is the real deal despite carrying all that weight on short frame or ???
ReplyDeleteI feel llike your blog is really ramping up the moment you're going to leave us. Congrats on the job and thanks for as long as it lasts. Don't forget us starving football neophytes when you get your corner office, err, on the football sidelines.
TriFloyd
@ ShockFX
ReplyDeleteI mentioned the nagging injuries, and the 8.6 yard average isn't bad if there are no turnovers . . . but it's not good, either.
@ TriFloyd
ReplyDeleteThe coaches have mentioned that Hemingway can light it up on the practice field. They think he's a deep threat, and he's great after the catch. He just hasn't really shown that on the game field, other than a couple games over the past two seasons.
I think Hemingway is a viable option, but Michigan just doesn't look to get the ball to those wideouts very often. If Lloyd Carr were at the helm, I bet Hemingway would be a star.
Thanks for the compliments. I don't make much money on this site, so it's good to know that people appreciate it. I'll still be around and posting on occasion, but I'm looking at 75-80 hour work weeks once school starts.
The thing is, the outside receivers aren't totally to blame for their lack of production. Both Stonum and Hemingway had a lot of drops (and injuries), but the QB's didn't look to them, and if you look at the film, they were open a lot.
ReplyDeleteAlso, apparently Hemingway has heard about the criticism the outside receivers have taken (not being involved) and is taking it personally as a mission. Hopefully he explodes?
Has the coaching staff tried to get Hemmingway to get a little bit lighter and quicker?
ReplyDelete@ Anonymous 9:45 p.m.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure they've tried to make him faster, but he's the exact same weight that he was last year.
Magnus,
ReplyDeleteYour countdown has been an enjoyable read during these dog days of summer. I appreciate the good insight& info. Thanks for taking the time to do it. I don't know how this season will go, but i am jacked for it. I have a feeling that it if RR can make it thru this year, he will have the team in "reload" mode starting next year. A lot is riding on our defense being capable of just being respectable. it should be interesting...
Thanks again, Schone 32