ANN ARBOR >> Michigan receiver Amorion Walker has had one of the more unique college football journeys, one that has seen him bounce between offense and defense and programs.

Walker arrived at Michigan in 2022 as a receiver but didn’t see much playing time as a freshman. The following year, with depth in the secondary a concern, the 6-foot-3 Walker was moved to cornerback. An injury sidetracked him several months last fall — he referred to the season as “a wash” — and then in January, Walker transferred to Ole Miss. He stayed there a few months, went through spring practice, entered the transfer portal, and in May, he returned to Michigan, where he is playing receiver.

It wasn’t exactly homesickness that gave Walker pause and a desire to return to the Wolverines, but he stressed multiple times during a media availability on Thursday that he missed his Michigan teammates.

“Even when I left, it was constant check-ins with those guys, and they were always uplifting me and making sure I was good,” Walker said. “Those are the guys I wanted to be around.”

That’s what has made his return so smooth.

“Easiest has been fitting right back in,” Walker said when asked what’s been the easiest and toughest parts of the transition back to Michigan. “I’m back with all my brothers, the ones I love the most. Being around the guys is what I always wanted to be.”

And what has been difficult?

“I wouldn’t even really say I have one,” he said. “I’m having fun. I’ve been coming out, making plays. I wouldn’t say a difficulty coming back.”

The 6-foot-3, 182-pound Walker said he has no regrets about his time playing on defense. After all, he said he tries to live life without regrets.

The reality is, he learned plenty about receiver by playing cornerback, and that has helped him in his return to playing receiver. He said that has tied into having a better mental approach, as well.

“It was substantial to my game now,” he said. “I’m able to get that defensive mindset. I know what position guys don’t want to be in, what gets them uncomfortable. I feel like it helped me as a better receiver and to be able to look at the game through two lenses.”

Michigan receivers coach Ron Bellamy, also the pass-game coordinator, and Walker have a few things in common. They’re both from Louisiana, and Bellamy also began his Michigan playing career as a defensive back before playing receiver full-time.

“For me, it was a little different because I played both, so I was still able to get some receiver while playing defensive back,” Bellamy said recently. “For (Walker), I had him as a freshman and then he moves over to defensive back his entire sophomore year. Obviously, didn’t have him (this) spring. Just trying to get him familiar with everything in the system, our offensive system, and back to the receiver traits. He’s caught on quickly. Glad he’s back.”

Bellamy was succinct when asked what makes Walker a good fit at receiver.

“He’s 6-4, he’s fast and athletic,” Bellamy said.

In early 2023, a video showed Walker finish the three-cone drill in a hand-timed 6.10 seconds. The NFL combine record for the drill is 6.28 by former Oklahoma cornerback Jordan Thomas in 2018.

“He’s super-fast, probably the fastest guy on the team,” Michigan junior receiver Tyler Morris said recently.

When asked on Thursday if he’s made some memorable plays during camp, Walker smiled and said a few stood out to him, but he didn’t share those with reporters.

“I don’t know if I’ve got a favorite one yet,” Walker said. “I try to keep it humble and make a better play the next day.”

Bellamy must replace the Wolverines’ top two receivers from last year, Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson, and while Morris and Semaj Morgan are expected to play big roles, Walker also will be relied on to step into a more substantial role. He described himself as “the full package” at receiver, which includes blocking and various intangibles.

“I’m going to be a great teammate, I’m going to go on the field and give everything I got, fight for your brothers next to you and just making plays,” Walker said. “And having fun with it too. The game is stressful, so you’ve got to have a lot of fun.”

And now he’s back at Michigan having fun with the teammates he missed.