The Wolverine

March 2013 - Signing Day Edition

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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football recruiting issue ���It was pretty awesome to watch Funchess, because every time he touched the ball it seemed like he was scoring,��� Butt said. The 6-6, 235-pound Butt believes he can play in his true freshman season like Funchess and classmate A.J. Williams, who also saw the field considerably. It helps that Butt is one of six early enrollees. ���It gave me a lot of confidence to see those guys play as much as they did without going through spring ball, and I feel that I can step in for loss and 3.5 sacks. In a four-game playoff run, he made 22 receptions for 380 yards while also notching 27 tackles. Butt fashions himself a dualthreat tight end, one that can catch the football like a wide receiver but block like an offensive lineman. He was recruited to fulfill those roles, but he���s not all the way there yet. ���Jake Butt is a very tall, skilled, fast athlete, a guy that will develop into a real good tight end,��� U-M tight ends coach Dan Ferrigno said. ���We know he���s got to get stronger and bigger ��� Jake Butt right now, but he can re���It gave me a lot of confidence to see ally run and catch. He���s a tough kid. those guys play as much as they did ���He needs to develop without going through spring ball, as a blocker because he and I feel that I can step in and have has been at a detached an impact also.��� position most of his high school career. We think he and have an impact also,��� Butt said. can be a tight end and we���re happy ���With the year that Funchess had, he���s here. We���ve been pleased with and me being a receiving tight end him so far, just the three or four like him, that adds even more ver- weeks he���s been here. He brings a satility to our offense with two guys lot to the table. that can stretch the field. ���Spring ball will be invaluable, ���Now it���s about putting on that because he gets a spring and a good weight, getting my strength whole summer to prepare himself up, so that I can be that guy that fits to, if he���s good enough, play next the mold between A.J. and Devin.��� year.��� Butt caught 68 balls for 907 yards Selected to participate in the U.S. and 12 touchdowns in his senior Army All-American Bowl, Butt season, captaining a Pickerington had to sit out the Jan. 5 game after North team that went 12-2 overall, suffering an ankle injury in pracadvancing to the semifinals of the tice. Days later, he contracted strep Ohio Division I state playoffs. He throat and dropped 17 pounds. He���s was also a standout linebacker, re- back up to 222 pounds and wants cording 80 total tackles, 7.5 tackles to be 240 by the start of the season.

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