Driven to Improve, Darboh Discusses His Challenge for 2016
7/29/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 29, 2016
By Steve Kornacki
CHICAGO, Ill. -- Amara Darboh has been tabbed by University of Michigan J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Head Football Coach Jim Harbaugh as the team's "top receiver" headed into the 2016 season, and that's quite a compliment since senior classmate Jehu Chesson led the Wolverines in touchdown catches and receiving yardage last year.
Darboh said that evaluation "means a lot" to him, but he's far from satisfied -- which, by the way, is a word Harbaugh said should never be uttered in regard to football accomplishments.
So, Darboh remains driven to improve. He's focusing this season on becoming more of a playmaker. Though, keep in mind that he made his share of big plays in 2015:
• He caught the winning, 25-yard touchdown in the 48-41 double-overtime win at Indiana.
• He went up in the air to grab the all-important, two-point conversion pass in the 29-26 victory at Minnesota.
• His 11-yard touchdown catch at the end of the first half at Penn State was a momentum changer in a 28-16 win.
• And his one-handed catch for 21 yards on third-and-five against Brigham Young was probably the team's most spectacular grab of the season.
Still, his longest reception was only 39 yards, and his five touchdown catches were four less than Chesson had.
"I'm getting more comfortable out there," said Darboh, "and I feel I should do more. Sometimes I missed on opportunities last year, though, and that's where I've got to capitalize more."
What does he need to do in that regard?
"It comes down to reads and reading the defense," said Darboh. "It's just reacting a little quicker. So, I'm working on little things like my route running and making sure that I get out of my breaks so when I catch it, I can get ahead of the DB to get some yards after the catch."
His double-OT touchdown against the Hoosiers was a perfect example of that kind of play.
"I gave the DB a double move and he bit on me curling down," said Darboh, smiling as he recalled that play during this week's Big Ten Football Media Days. "So, yeah, I'm working on things like that to deceive DBs so I can make bigger plays.
"We have a very talented group of guys on this team, and by me making plays and others making big plays, we can have a great season."
The Wolverines went 10-3 last year but are hungry for a Big Ten championship and perhaps more.
Returning all three receivers who surpassed 600 yards -- a first for one season at Michigan -- gives the offense a trio of go-to guys in the passing game. All-America tight end Jake Butt is back with Chesson and Darboh.
"I think we all came to Michigan, No. 1, for the education," said Darboh, a sociology major who graduated during the last school year. "And then we came here for football, and we want to win that ring and go out on top. We didn't come together to talk about that, but I think that was in all our minds in coming back."
The three receivers decided collectively that the NFL can wait.
What "ring" was Darboh referring to?
"Championship rings," he said. "For me personally, I want to win it all this year. But you can't do that without winning the Big Ten championship. That's the one thing we need to get first.
"This year, going into camp, we're going to focus on being perfect, without mistakes, so we can achieve that goal."
There will be fewer adjustments to make in Harbaugh's second season. The players got a good feel for their hard-driving yet fun-loving leader and the playbook.
"That's going to help us a lot being familiar with the offense," said Darboh. "That's one big thing. In spring ball last year, we were all running around with our heads cut off, trying to remember all the plays.
"Now, we've had all of last season. When you line up on the ball, you can focus on the defense and you don't have to think about the play and the concept. That's going to help the quarterback and it's going to help us and the offense as a whole."
Quarterback Jake Rudock threw for 3,017 yards and 20 touchdowns and was drafted by the Detroit Lions. However, John O'Korn, one of three quarterback replacement candidates designated by Harbaugh, had 3,117 yards and 28 touchdown passes as a freshman at Houston in 2013. Wilton Speight -- who led the offense in the second half of the Minnesota win -- and strong-armed Shane Morris also are in the mix.
When asked what caught his eye during seven-on-seven play this summer, Darboh didn't hesitate.
"Quarterbacks," he said. "They've all gone through seven-on-seven with the mindset that they're the starter, and that's better for the whole offense. They take control of the huddle, and that's a good thing because on a successful team the quarterback is the leader. Having a confident quarterback makes everyone else confident."
Darboh said the quarterbacks split repetitions evenly in the summer drills organized and run by the players.
"Everyone would rotate every five plays," he said. "The quarterback room has a great group of guys, and they all support each other and are very competitive."
Having a teammate strong enough to push you for playing time and making plays is central to all championship teams, and Darboh definitely competes with his good friend Chesson.
Harbaugh noted on Monday (July 25) that there's been a slight shift in his evaluation of that duo: "Amara Darboh, I would say he's our top receiver right now. And as we went through the season last year, I thought that was Jehu Chesson. And then Amara surged during spring ball there, and they're in a very good-hearted competition there to be our best receiver."
Chesson was voted the team's MVP in 2015 and was a first-team All-Big Ten selection by conference coaches. He caught 50 passes for 764 yards and nine touchdowns. However, Chesson suffered an undisclosed leg injury in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl win over Florida and missed spring practices.
Harbaugh also said Monday that he expects Chesson to be ready when preseason practice begins Aug. 8. However, Darboh has taken advantage of the extra practice time to improve. He was an All-Big Ten honorable mention pick by the coaches and media last year, making 58 catches for 727 yards and five touchdowns.
When his coach's thoughts on his standing were relayed, Darboh was pleased.
"That's definitely a compliment," said Darboh. "I took the spring to work on a lot of things that I felt that I struggled with, and talked to Coach (Jedd) Fisch and Coach Harbaugh and felt that I could improve. So, it means a lot coming from him."
"It motivates (Jehu) a lot, I'm almost 100 percent positive, because Jehu and I have been competing ever since we set foot on campus. When one person makes a play, the other one feeds off that."
Darboh, who became a U.S. citizen last year, was born in Sierra Leone before coming to America shortly after his seventh birthday and being raised in West Des Moines, Iowa.
Chesson was born in Liberia and moved to the Ivory Coast before immigrating to the U.S. with his family at age seven and growing up in St. Louis, Missouri.
They met during the recruiting process and came to Michigan together in 2012, quickly bonding with all they had in common.
"We believe in each other," said Darboh. "We came in as freshmen, and we helped each other when we were struggling, telling each other, 'Hey, you can do it! Believe in yourself.'
"Seeing each other make plays now helps that competitive mindset. Seeing Jehu make a play makes me want to make a play, too. But we want to see each other do well. If he makes a play, I'm really excited for him. And when I make plays, he's excited for me.
"We came from such similar backgrounds, have an understanding of each other and have similar personalities. We definitely feel like family. I feel like he's one of my brothers, and we were friends even before we committed here. I know we'll continue this friendship for the rest of our lives."
So, while they do compete like brothers, they also have the bond of brothers. Years from now, when Chesson and Darboh are recalled, it will be nearly impossible to separate one from the other. They've been a true tandem while always striving for the upper hand on the field.
