Michigan football: Tyler Morris draws comparison to ex-Michigan star

After a stellar year as the Wolverines’ top pass-catcher, ex-star wide receiver Ronnie Bell left the university for the NFL. Bell, who was a star wideout for a number of years in Ann Arbor, may be gone, but in his place is a very similar player who has since taken the No. 8 jersey for himself. Tyler Morris, a sophomore wide receiver for Michigan football this year, has drawn a few comparisons to Bell, most recently by team captain Mike Sainristil.

Michigan football wide receiver Tyler Morris draws new comparison to ex-star Wolverine

If you didn’t know any better, many fans may look to the field on game days and wonder if Ronnie Bell has made a return to Ann Arbor. Why? Because a similar player — wideout Tyler Morris — has taken his old number (No. 8) and is giving the Wolverines a similar presence on the field.

“Definitely,” Mike Sainristil said when asked if Tyler Morris and Ronnie Bell are similar. “They have that dog mentality, in my opinion. T-Mo (Tyler Morris) is physical in the blocking game as well. I feel like him being eight is almost as if I’m going against Ronnie (Bell) every day in practice again.

“He’s definitely very precise in his routes, very detailed in his routes,” Sainristil continued, talking about Michigan football wideout Tyler Morris. “He’s strong at the catch point. He’s not the biggest receiver out there, but he plays bigger than he is. There’s just something about when smaller guys out there on the field, when they’re able to play a lot bigger, it’s a sight to see. I love that.”

More on Morris and Ronnie Bell

Did Tyler Morris take the No. 8 jersey because of Ronnie Bell? Nope, it was his old high school number. “I wore that number (No. 8) in high school,” Morris explained. “So that’s what I wanted to go back to.”

He also talked about his current relationship with Bell — who is now a wide receiver for the San Fransisco 49ers — earlier this week.

“Yeah, a little bit,” Tyler Morris said when asked if he still talks with ex-Michigan wideout Ronnie Bell. “We’ve talked a little bit. He (Ronnie Bell) seems like he’s doing good, enjoys it a lot, and is just having fun making it to that level.”

Through two games this year, Tyler Morris has caught three passes for 40 yards during the Wolverines’ 2-0 start. This weekend, he takes the field once again, as Michigan football hosts the Bowling Green State Falcons on Saturday night.