It took Roy Roundtree 2 months to get on the field, but once he did he was nothing short of amazing.

Roundtree opened the 2009 season as Michigan’s third-string slot receiver and finished it as the Wolverines’ most prolific pass catcher.

He led the team in receptions (32), yards (434) and touchdowns (3), and packed almost all of his production into 3 November games.

Roundtree caught 10 passes in a breakout performance against Purdue, the school he originally committed to before signing with Michigan 2 years ago. He had 7 catches and a touchdown at Wisconsin the following week, then closed the season with a 116-yard day against Ohio State - the second-best day any receiver had against the Buckeyes’ Big Ten-best defense all year.

The redshirt freshman finished November with 26 catches for 298 yards and 2 scores, better numbers than every other Michigan receiver but Greg Mathews (29-352-1) put up for the entire season.

“It’s something to build on,” Roundtree said earlier this week during a charity appearance at The Salvation Army of Washtenaw County. “I can’t just slack off now, I got to be ready for this year coming up.”

Roundtree said he and roommates Mike Shaw and Brandon Moore have been working out almost daily since the end of the season, running ladders to improve their footwork, working the speed bag for hand-eye coordination, and catching passes from punter Zoltan Mesko.

Quarterback Tate Forcier “really hasn’t been getting with us cause he had finals, but hopefully when we get back we’ll be back throwing,” Roundtree said.

Roundtree and Forcier developed an unmistakable chemistry late in the season, with Forcier leaning heavily on his favorite target after starting slot receiver Martavious Odoms went down with a knee injury in the Illinois game.

Roundtree also endeared himself to teammates with his physical play. Listed at 6-foot and 170 pounds, Roundtree threw huge blocks to spring Brandon Minor and Vincent Smith for touchdowns late in the season.

Still, he said getting bigger and faster - he got caught from behind at the 1-yard line in a season-turning play against Illinois - is his focus this offseason.

As a freshman, Roundtree said he bench-pressed 145 pounds and could only overhead squat a broomstick. He got significantly stronger during his redshirt year, and expects to make another leap this offseason.

“I just have to put in more work and prepare myself for the longer season next year,” Roundtree said. “Since I did that in 4 games, see what I can do for next season. But that’s all off me, it;s all what I have to do, the work I have to put in.”

Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.