Michigan WR Channing Goodwin's consistency and patience pay dividends with early-season snaps

Michigan sophomore wide receiver Channing Goodwin isn’t one to make headlines with expectations like some of the other younger players he plays alongside on offense.

He doesn’t have to; all he knows is hard work.

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That work he has put in since his arrival on campus last year has culminated in a moment he has been patiently waiting for.

Making big plays in big moments at Michigan Stadium.

The trust the coaching staff has in him has been built up over time. It started during the season last year and hit its peak during training camp, where Goodwin’s name had been mentioned just like his play.

Consistent.

That trust from the coaches paid off when Bryce Underwood connected with Goodwin for over 30 yards on a 3-and-14 in the dying minutes of the first half. That play helped the Wolverines score a crucial touchdown to regain some lost momentum against New Mexico.

For wide receiver coach Ron Bellamy, Goodwin made it difficult for the staff to say no to playing him.

“Super consistent in practice throughout training camp, throughout spring ball, really good football player, super smart guy, cerebral player, you can move him around, physical in the run game,” Bellamy said. “He’s where he needs to be in the pass game, he just makes plays. And that’s why we decided collectively that Channing got to start last Saturday.”

The U-M legacy is grateful to have his number called and was happy to make a big play with his father, former Wolverine and Super Bowl champion offensive lineman Jonathan Goodwin, in attendance.

Trust goes both ways in this case. The staff had trust in him, and he had trust in the staff that if he kept showing up and putting in the work, plus having some patience, he would reap the rewards in the end.

So far, so good through one game.

“Really just building up the trust with the coaches every day in practice,” Goodwin said. “Proving to them that I can do it in practice, so you can go ahead and go over there and do it in the game too.

“It felt amazing. Kind of waiting my turn a little bit last year and being able to go out there and make an impact on the field, so it was definitely a great feeling.”