The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1202829
26 THE WOLVERINE FEBRUARY 2020 OVERALL GRADE Put all three of the tight ends together — McKeon, Eubanks and freshman Erick All — and you might have a first-team All-Big Ten player. Eubanks had the best hands of the bunch, McKeon was the most well-rounded and improved dramatically as a blocker, and All proved the most physical of the group. Together, this group was solid, not spectacular, though it had its moments. Eubanks in particular became a weapon near the goal line, scoring big touch- downs against both Michigan State and Ala- bama. He finished with four scores and had at least one reception in every game but one — the downpour against Notre Dame in which U-M dominated on the ground. Like McKeon, he earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors. Redshirt freshman Luke Schoonmaker needs to get bigger and stronger, but he also showed some potential in catching two passes for 54 yards, including a 25- yard touchdown at Illinois. He could be a good one in a few years. NUMBERS TO KNOW Eubanks only hauled in one touchdown reception dur- ing his first three years at Michigan (though his sopho- more campaign was hindered by injuries and resulted in a medical redshirt), but he became a heavy red-zone target late this season. After reeling in one scoring catch through Michigan's first seven games of 2019, Eubanks caught three over the club's final five, includ- ing one each against Maryland Nov. 2, Michigan State Nov. 16 and Alabama Jan. 1. The Plantation, Fla., native announced Dec. 27 he'd be returning in 2020 for his fifth- year senior season. TighT Ends sTaTus Of schOlarship playErs GRADUATED: Sean McKeon TRANSFERRED: Mustapha Muhammad (Houston) ELIGIBILITY REMAINING (YEARS): Nick Eubanks (1) Erick All (3) Luke Schoonmaker (3) B- 2020 PLAYER TO WATCH ERICK ALL The freshman wasn't a huge factor in the passing game, but we believe that's about to change. Though he caught only one pass for 10 yards, All earned praise in the spring (and fall) for catching everything thrown his way, and the film shows a fierce blocker at the posi- tion, the likes of which Michigan hasn't seen in years. The problem, head coach Jim Harbaugh intimated midway through the season — All wasn't always focusing on the right assignment and who to block (though he was always ferocious when he got there). Another spring and some time learning the playbook and in the film room should put him in position to contribute a lot in 2020. MVP SENIOR SEAN McKEON McKeon missed three games due to injury, but was by far Michigan's best blocker at the position and finished second among tight ends in receiving yards with 235 (redshirt junior Nick Eu- banks led the way with 243). However, his 18.1 yards per reception nearly doubled Eu- banks' 9.7 and were second on the team, trailing only junior wide receiver Nico Collins (19.7) among players who caught at least 10 passes in 2019. The senior dropped a few balls, but by the end of the season he was block- ing better than he had in his entire career. He earned consensus honorable mention All-Big Ten honors and had some of his best games against rivals, catching two passes for 46 yards Michigan State and three for 66 against Ohio State. Sean McKeon PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL