The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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76 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2020 FOOTBALL PREVIEW TIGHT ENDS TIGHT ENDS hauled in 42 receptions for 940 yards and 12 touchdowns, and enjoyed a great week at the International Bowl early this year. Scottsdale (Ariz.) Saguaro High School head coach Mark Martinez acted as the of- fensive line and tight ends coach in the game and saw lots to like. "We used Hibner as more of a blocker," Martinez recalled. "I don't remember him catching any passes during the game itself, but I do remember him being a great blocker, and I think Michigan is getting a steal in him. We'll hear his name being called in three years on TV, and I'll have a big smile on my face saying how I helped coach him for one week. "I started coaching in the early '90s and it's amazing when you look at the way kids have progressed nowadays, in terms of their strength, athleticism, physicality and overall body types. There aren't too many kids I see anymore who have all of that, but Hibner does … you're already getting the complete package in Hibner." He might have to wait for his opportunity to make an impact, but it will come. For now, the position appears to be in good hands with a capable trio ready to make an impact in an explosive offense. ❑ Michigan tight end Sean McKeon graduated and is now headed to the NFL, a free agent signee of the Dallas Cowboys. The three-time honorable mention All-Big Ten honoree spoke candidly of his expectations for Michigan's tight end room this spring, excited for the future. "Nick Eubanks, obviously, being a fifth-year guy, he's been there a long time," McKeon said. "He's going to really be a great leader for the young guys in the room, and I know he'll do a great job. "But I'm really excited for [redshirt soph- omore] Luke Schoonmaker and [sopho- more] Erick All. I think they're young guys with a lot of potential. I think both of them, honestly, will be making a lot of plays next year." Every camp is an opportunity, and the competition between All and Schoon- maker should be fun to watch, he con- tinued. "Erick has really great route-running abil- ity and really great hands, and Schoony also runs great routes and he's really been bulking up to do some damage in the run game, too," McKeon said. "Erick has a re- ally high motor. He wouldn't always know what route to run on a play, but he would still run the route 100 percent full speed. "Obviously, learning the playbook com- ing in as a freshman is pretty hard, so he'll definitely have it down by next year. I'm really excited to see how he improves. I know he's been trying to put some weight on, so I'm excited to see what he does this season." One of the biggest questions entering the season — who will be throwing to them? It was too close to call between redshirt junior Dylan McCaffrey and redshirt sophomore Joe Milton heading into the summer. "Obviously, they're both really gifted athletes," McKeon noted. "They're not guys that will stand in the pocket and can't really make plays. I think they're both really good on their feet and escaping the pocket. They both have really good speed for quarterbacks. Dylan's not scared to tuck and run on read-options, and neither is Joe." The quarterbacks' differences are obvi- ous, according to McKeon. "Dylan's definitely really cerebral and re- ally smart, and he has a good understanding for coverages and reading defenses, stuff like that," he added. "I think Joe has all the arm talent in the world. He's got a cannon for an arm. He can throw it like 80 yards on his knees or something crazy like that. "So each of them kind of has a little bit of a different game to them." Either one could be successful, McKeon continued, and he is excited to see how that one plays out, too. McCaffrey has a bit more experience, having seen meaningful game action in venues like Notre Dame Stadium and at Wisconsin, so he could have the edge. Milton, though, has been quietly creeping up and putting in the time waiting for his opportunity. "Both of them are really good QBs, and I'm sure either one will do a great job," McKeon concluded. — Chris Balas Redshirt sophomore Luke Schoonmaker caught two passes for 54 yards last year, including a 25-yard touchdown at Il- linois, and impressed McKeon, his former teammate. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL Sophomore Erick All — who played in 11 games in 2019 — has all the makings of a great pass catcher, but also has showed signs of becoming an elite blocker. PHOTO BY BRANDON BROWN Former Starter Sean McKeon Provides Insight In Exit Interview