The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1155524
50 THE WOLVERINE SEPTEMBER 2019 MICHIGAN FOOTBALL "jacks-of-all-trades" in the new-look offense, knowing they'll be asked to block as well as catch. He also knows they will need to make the most of their opportunities in order to get more. "That's kind of the goal, to spread the ball around," McKeon said Aug. 9, a week into fall camp. "I guess we'll find out how Coach Gat- tis does that, but so far a lot of differ- ent guys are making plays, so I think just the more the merrier." He added that he has watched his share of film on former Iowa tight ends T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant — both drafted among the top 20 picks in the 2019 NFL Draft — and believes he and redshirt junior Nick Eubanks could be "up there" and as good as the Hawkeyes' duo was last year. If they are, that would bode ex- tremely well for an attack that's sup- posed to provide big-play potential. McKeon, who led U-M with 31 recep- tions in 2017, caught 14 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown last year, while Eubanks hauled in eight passes for 157 yards and a score. Neither has matched one of the Iowa duo's production — both eclipsed 500 receiving yards last sea- son — but McKeon has put himself in position to have his best year by making big strides in the weight room this summer. "My main focus in the summer was to cut body fat and build up muscle," he said. "I'm playing a little lighter this year so I can be quicker and faster for the spread." "I think we were still making plays in the spring as well, but now I feel like Coach Gattis definitely trusts us to go and make a big play. He is not afraid to go 12 personnel, have two tight ends out there even with all the receivers we have. It definitely gives us a lot of confi- dence that he trusts us to make plays." When the ball comes his way, he added, he'll be ready. "Coach Gattis does a really good job of trying to get playmakers the ball however he can," McKeon said. "He's going to put it in some good spots, so we've just got to execute and make plays." — Chris Balas FRESHMAN QUINTEL KENT WILL MISS THE SEASON Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edward wide receiver Quintel Kent was considered one of the sleepers of the 2019 class after putting up big numbers at the prep powerhouse program. His career has hit an unexpected snag, however, and he will be side- lined for at least a season. Kent announced the bad news on Twitter in early August. "Due to some unfortunate medical findings, I will not have the opportu- nity to participate in this year's foot- ball season," Kent wrote. "I would like to thank Michigan and especially my family for the endless amounts of support. I will continue to pursue my education at the university. "Although I don't fully understand this part of my journey, I trust in God's plan for what the future holds. Go Blue." Kent was one of five wideouts Michigan brought in in its 2019 re- cruiting class, along with Giles Jack- son, Cornelius Johnson, George John- son and Mike Sainristil. He finished his senior season with 59 receptions for 924 yards (15.7 yards per catch) and 12 touchdowns, and racked up 502 yards on kickoff returns, running two all the way back for scores. He earned wide receiver MVP hon- ors at the Michigan summer camp, along with an offer. He wasn't ex- pected to play this season, but was an- ticipated to be a player down the road. It remains to be seen whether or not Kent's situation is career threatening. — Chris Balas JOSH METELLUS PROVIDES UPDATE ON SAFETY BATTLE, TALKS NEW LEADERSHIP ROLE Four Michigan football players — senior tight end Sean McKeon, senior safety Josh Metellus, senior defensive tackle Carlo Kemp and senior run- ning back Tru Wilson — met with the media for the first time during fall camp Aug. 9 to discuss how practices had been going up to that point. The safety spot opposite Metellus has been widely viewed as one of the most intriguing position battles on the entire team, after Tyree Kinnel vacated it following his graduation last season. Metellus provided an update on what the battle has been like for that spot, while also discussing the new leadership role he has adopted for both the offensive and defensive players. "Nobody's spot is locked and Metellus was a first-team All-Big Ten choice by the Associated Press last year, while the league coaches and media named him second-team all-conference. PHOTO BY BRANDON BROWN