Roy Roundtree's move to flanker expected to stem his declining production for Michigan football team

Roundtree led Michigan in receiving as a freshman, then exploded in 2010 as a sophomore, when he hauled in 72 catches for 935 yards and seven touchdowns.

As a junior last year, though, he caught just 19 passes for 355 yards and two touchdowns. That's the worst season-to-season dive in Michigan history.

Borges never expressed concern about Roundtree's production last year, typically ascribing the decline to the growing running threat of quarterback Denard Robinson and tailback Fitz Toussaint. Both posted 1,000-yard rushing seasons.

But Roundtree often disappeared from games, and his rhythm with Robinson never really hit a groove. That will have to change next year, when the Wolverines lose their go-to threat in Hemingway.

That is a key loss to a passing game that already ebbed and flowed. Can Roundtree fill the void?

Borges thinks so.

"He's had such a great attitude," the second-year coordinator said. "He did take a hit with numbers and it would be natural to second-guess a lot of things, but he didn't. And because he didn't, he's improving daily."

While Roundtree is Michigan's most important player at receiver, the team also is searching for a third starter to play alongside him and Gallon.

After two days of spring practices, Borges seems particularly high on Jerald Robinson and already has compared him to Hemingway.

"Jerald Robinson, in two days, has been very impressive," Borges said. "He's a big, physical receiver, very much like Junior. Not quite as big, but still big. Has excellent hands.

"Ran on the scout team quite a bit (last yaer), not because he wasn't good enough to play -- he was good enough to play -- but we were pretty good at wide receiver and never really got a chance to use him."

The sophomore form Canton, Ohio, did not record a catch in two games at receiver last year, but Roudtree said he was one of the more impressive wideouts of camp last fall. He also would bring some size to the position at 6-foot-1, 206 pounds.

Roundtree is 6-foot and Gallon is 5-8.

"Jerald is going to get a great look, and so far, what we've seen, he's going to make a contribution," Borges said. And he is that big, physical guy much like Junior was. You ask how to replace Junior, and he's definitely at least one answer."

Jeremy Jackson is expected to be Robinson's biggest competition for the third spot, although he was not mentioned by Borges on Monday. Incoming freshmen Amara Darboh and Jehu Chesson also could be in the mix when they join the team in the summer.