Does Peyton O’Leary have a role with Michigan football this fall?

Michigan fans generally don’t get excited about walk-ons, and it’s hard to blame them. Over the years, only a handful have risen to play on good teams. Even fewer become key contributors … off the top of our heads, the Glasgows, Jordan Kovacs, etc.

But there’s hope for at least one on this year’s roster. Receiver Peyton O’Leary started earning praise last year when he continuously made plays as a preferred walk-on. He caught one pass for 4 yards as a sophomore, but his huge spring game makes him one to watch this fall, especially with Ronnie Bell having moved on.

“It’s all about gaining trust from the coaching staff … for wide receivers, it’s showing coach [Ron] Bellamy when a play is called, ‘I’m going to line up in the right spot, boing to have the right motion, go when the ball is snapped, run the right route, right depth, be in the right place at right time,’” Jon Jansen said on the In the Trenches podcast. “When the ball is thrown to me, be ready, I’m going to catch it … and gain yards.

“If you’re a guy that catches those balls every single time, they’re going to find time for you in the fall. I think Peyton did those things in the spring game, did those things throughout spring practice. As I’ve gone back and looked at some practice footage, he’s right place, right time, doing everything right. The key component — and we saw this over the last few years at Michigan — too many dropped balls.”

That’s not been an issue for O’Leary, who his teammates say has some of the best hands on the team. They were on display when he hauled in 6 catches for 126 yards in the spring game.

That performance was the culmination of two-plus years of hard work after finally playing one sport for the first time when he got to college. He was an elite Lacrosse player and also excelled on the basketball court.

“Coming here, it was completely new. I sat on the bench for two years … hopefully I’ll make a change with that this year,” he said. “It’s just a lot of hard work and dedication. I’ve always thought I could hang with the best of them. I’ll stick to my coaching, the ability, and the ball finds me. Just get ready to work.

“I can’t wait to put it on display this year if I get an opportunity.”

He’s always had the hands. Now, the 6-3, 195-pounder is getting off the line better and able to gain separation. That’s been one of his areas of greatest improvement.

“Definitely my speed,” O’Leary continued. “I’m not too fast, but I can hang with the best of them. Shout out to coach [Ben Herbert] and the staff. They’ve definitely made me completely more explosive and a lot faster.

“At receiver, you’ve got to be able to have that first fast step after release, the first most explosive step to get separation … that explosiveness, for sure, I’ve definitely improved the most here.”

Which is what gives him a chance to see the field this fall. How much remains to be seen, but it’s clear his quarterbacks have confidence in him.

They should, Jansen said after watching his film.

“If you’re a guy that catches those balls every single time, they’re going to find time for you in the fall,” Jansen said. “I think Peyton did that in the spring game, throughout practice. Quite honestly, in talking to the coaches, he’s been that guy throughout his first two years. Now he’s going to get his opportunity, and I think he’s earned it.”

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