The Wolverine

2022 Michigan Football Preview

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1473191

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 69 of 163

68 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2022 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 68 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2022 FOOTBALL PREVIEW THEY'RE ALL THAT Erick All-Led Tight End Crew Is Ready To Roll BY JOHN BORTON [ T I G H T E N D S ] M ichigan's tight ends appeared primed to be thrown for a big loss in the off- season. That's before the leader of the pack made sure everybody knew he planned to be All in. Erstwhile Michigan radio sideline reporter Doug Karsch remembers it well, in the gloom of the postgame locker room following the Orange Bowl. At least one Wolverine moved ahead very quickly. "There were rumors late last year that [then-junior tight end] Erick All was going to enter the NFL Draft," noted Karsch, Michigan's new radio play-by-play man. "Im- mediately after the Georgia game, he was one of my postgame interviews, right outside the locker room. "He just flat-out said, 'I can't wait to get to work on next year — tomorrow.' I thought that was interesting. The stink hadn't even worn off the Orange Bowl, and he was ready to rectify it." He's got plenty of company in a tight ends room awash in experience and developing talent. All and graduate students Luke Schoonmaker, Joel Honigford and Carter Selzer carry a combined 19 years on the Michigan roster. The next wave includes junior Matthew Hibner and sophomore Louis Hansen, along with true freshmen Colston Loveland and Marlin Klein. Loveland in particular has al- ready been drawing rave reviews. In other words, on an offense that appears loaded heading for fall, look elsewhere for a weak link. The tight ends figure to flex in the fall of 2022. Here's a closer look at a position valued at Michigan more than it is in most venues. ALL-ENCOMPASSING TALENT All grew into a flat-out difference-maker over the past couple of years. While he struggled with hanging onto the football early in his career, last season he left no doubt that he could be counted on as a major target in the passing game. He wound up with 38 receptions on the year, just one off the team-leading total posted by junior wideout Cornelius Johnson. All also finished second in receiving yards with 437 while pulling in a pair of touchdown passes. Former Wolverine offensive lineman Grant Newsome has taken over as Mich- igan's tight ends coach this year, and he insists All looks ready for a massive season in a winged helmet. The Michigan assistant coach cited All's 47-yard, game-winning catch at Penn State as a prime example of the fireworks the big tight end can produce. "He's a truly dynamic athlete," New- some said. "You guys saw it in the Penn State game last year. To catch that ball and outrun all of their secondary on a bum ankle? He was two weeks off a high-ankle sprain doing that. QUICK FACTS Position Coach: Grant Newsome (1st year on full-time staff at U-M, spent previous four sea- sons as a graduate assistant working with the offensive line and tight ends). Returning Starter: Erick All (10 career starts). Departing Starter: None. Projected New Starter: None. Top Reserves: Luke Schoonmaker (10), Joel Honigford (5). Wait Until 2023: Matthew Hibner, Louis Hansen. Newcomers: Colston Loveland, Marlin Klein. Moved In: None. Moved Out: None. Rookie Impact: None. Most Improved Player: All. Best Pro Prospect: All. TIGHT END PRODUCTION UNDER JIM HARBAUGH Yr. Catches Yards TDs 2015 72 926 3 2016 59 667 6 2017 54 697 5 2018 54 793 4 2019 41 542 7 2020* 22 199 1 2021 57 618 5 *Only played six games due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of The Wolverine - 2022 Michigan Football Preview