The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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THE WOLVERINE 2019 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 77 to pull it, when to give it. It's definitely more simple on the receivers and the line. "Last year, we ran it once in a while, but it never really took off. This year, almost every run play has an RPO tag on it. It's probably 50-50. There's definitely a lot more usage." McKeon takes plenty of pride in his block- ing, but admits there's always the receiving element in the back of the minds of most tight ends. "We just want to get the ball any way we can," he said. "Coach Gattis has a great plan for us. He's done a great job installing all these new plays, and I'm pretty excited to keep getting more new stuff in and trying to perfect what he's already given us." As perhaps Michigan's most versatile and experienced tight end, McKeon also appreci- ates the options for the QB's targets as well. "In the RPO world, we're always a threat to block and a threat to run a route," he said. "It really puts linebackers and safeties in a bind that way. They don't know whether we'll release on a route or block someone. Big plays come in that aspect of the game, for sure, for tight ends." The coaching dynamic comes into play as well. There's no question Gattis is running the offense, but in McKeon's view, he's been open to input and taking advantage of the strengths on hand. Whereas Harbaugh may have given over the keys, he certainly remains in the car. "They're very in sync in the offense and trying to accomplish the same goals," McKeon said. "All the offensive coaches have done a great job, taking what Coach Gattis brings in from running the spread and adding a little bit of what we did well last year. "The coaches have definitely done a good job of mixing together and putting us in a position to do what we do well." One assistant taking the reins, McKeon assured, is "definitely a first since I've been here. I think it's a good decision. He's a re- ally great coach, and he knows what he's talking about. Coach Harbaugh still has some input, of course, and they've done a really good job of mixing together." Harbaugh can certainly provide motivation toward the ultimate goal as well. McKeon might not wear his T-shirt, but he and the other Michigan tight ends look at it often. They know what it means. They know what they want. They're ready to change shirts. ❏ A Decade's Worth Of Top Tight Ends Senior tight end Sean McKeon has not only led his position group in passes caught in a single season at Michigan, he's led the team. He's not sure what to expect in the coming year, with a new offensive coordinator and a highly skilled group of wide receivers on hand. That story has yet to be written. However it plays out, the tale of 2019 will add another chapter to an interesting decade of tight end production by the Wolverines. Here's a look back at the past 10 years, revealing how the Wolverines' top tight end fared in each season: 2018 — Zach Gentry secured 32 catches for 514 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 16.1 yards per catch. He also grabbed enough notice to convince himself to enter the NFL Draft and give up his final year of Michigan eligibility. Gentry wound up taken in the fifth round by the Pittsburgh Steelers, No. 141 overall. 2017 — McKeon made 31 catches for 301 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 9.7 yards per catch. His receptions and TD catches led the team in a severely scaled back production season for Michigan's pass catchers. Wideout Grant Perry's 307 reception yards led the Wolverines, followed by two tight ends, Gentry (303) and McKeon. 2016 — Jake Butt finished off his second All-America season and earned the John Mackey Award as the nation's top tight end. He wound up second on the team with 46 catches, 546 yards (11.9 per reception) and four touchdowns. A knee injury in Michigan's bowl game bumped him down in the draft, but he still went to the Denver Broncos in the fifth round, No. 145 overall. 2015 — Butt posted his initial All-America season, winding up with 51 catches for 654 yards (12.8 a grab) and three touchdowns. He finished second on the squad in receptions and third in yardage, only 110 yards off the team lead. 2014 — With Devin Funchess listed as a wide receiver in his final season with the Wolverines, Butt became Michigan's top tight end. The sophomore secured 21 catches for 211 yards (both second on the team), a 13.1 yards-per-catch average and a pair of touchdowns. 2013 — Funchess enjoyed a breakout season as a sophomore tight end, finishing second on the team with 49 receptions for 748 yards (15.3 per catch) and six touchdowns. He occasionally split out as a sophomore before he became a full-time wide receiver as a junior. Following that 2014 season, he left Michigan with a year of eligibility remaining and went to the Carolina Panthers in the second round, the No. 41 pick overall. 2012 — Funchess broke in as a freshman with 15 catches for 234 yards (15.6 per reception) and five touchdowns. He wound up fifth on the team in both catches and yards, and his five TD grabs actually led the Wolverines. 2011 — Kevin Koger snagged 23 receptions for 244 yards (10.6 a grab) and four touchdowns in Brady Hoke's first year as the head coach at Michigan. Koger finished third on the team in catches and fourth in receiving yards. A torn Achilles tendon from working out may have factored into him not getting drafted. 2010 — Koger secured 14 catches for 199 yards (14.2 a reception) and two touchdowns in Rich Rodriguez' final season at the helm. The junior's yardage and catch totals were both seventh among the Wolverines that year. 2009 — Koger posted 16 catches for 220 yards (13.8 average) and two touchdowns. The second- year tight end finished tied for fourth on the squad in receptions and fifth in receiving yards. — John Borton Two-time All-American Jake Butt finished as the Wolverines' top receiving tight end three straight seasons, from 2014-16. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN