Peyton O'Leary, former walk-on, stands out in Michigan spring game, pushing for playing time
Peyton O’Leary used Michigan’s Saturday spring game to make a strong case for playing time this fall. O’Leary, a former walk-on, led all Wolverine pass-catchers with 6 catches for 126 yards.
O’Leary’s biggest catch of the day was the go-ahead 2-point conversion to give the Maize team a 22-21 win over Blue.
Peyton O’Leary. Clutch! pic.twitter.com/GYNOldftfk
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) April 1, 2023
Peyton O’Leary is having a day. 👏
Here’s his late go-ahead 2-point conversion.@peytonoleary6 x @UMichFootball pic.twitter.com/QRJm6MwvkO
— Michigan On BTN (@MichiganOnBTN) April 1, 2023
O’Leary left the spring game hungry for playing time. In a deep wide receiver room, the former walk-on wants to make the gameday rotation.
“This year, I got big plans,” O’Leary said, per Connor Earegood of The Michigan Daily. “I want to play on Saturdays. … I think I’ll get my opportunity and that’ll be that. I just gotta run with it.”
Peyton O’Leary needs to play this Fall
— Maize n Brew (@MaizenBrew) April 1, 2023
Though leading receiver Ronnie Bell is gone for the NFL and Andrel Anthony transferred, O’Leary still faces plenty of competition in the wide receiver room. Cornelius Johnson is expected to be the top target, with Roman Wilson also expected to have a key role. Tyler Morris and Cristian Dixon are likely to step into larger roles, and tight ends Colston Loveland and A.J. Barner are likely to figure into the passing attack.
“It’s a great competition between the room and I’m just gonna continue to attack it and put the best things I can on tape,” O’Leary said, per The Michigan Daily. “And hopefully that will reward me with some playing time on Saturdays.”
After O’Leary’s standout spring game, plenty of U-M fans will be looking for him on Saturdays this fall.
Have a day @peytonoleary6 pic.twitter.com/piL2v8Zp3M
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) April 1, 2023