The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/122487
michigan football looks for in a big-play tight end: size, strong hands, solid route running and the athleticism to stretch the middle of the field. Now, heading into his sophomore season, Funchess' concentration is on cultivating the abilities necessary to become a complete tight end. It all starts with the not-so-glamorous aspects of his assigned position, particularly doing the dirty work to open up holes for U-M's soon-to-be smash-mouth run game. "I was like a pretty boy, I didn't want to get hit," Funchess said of his work among the big uglies. "Now I know I have to change my perspective of the game, change my mindset." "This spring, he's taken a lot of pride in improving every phase of his game," offensive coordinator Al Borges said. "Devin Funchess during the season was featured more as a receiver because that's where the emphasis is. Whereas in spring football, we're not concerned about that. We're concerned about developing his overall game versus seeing how many passes he can catch. We know that's his strength. "We want to shore up every other phase of his game. He's done a nice job. His footwork has improved in the run game." Successfully evolving into this multi-faceted role will be heavily predicated on Funchess' willingness to grow, both physically and mentally, into a bull-headed blocker at the end of the line of scrimmage. So far, so good.