The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/201975
"Jake Butt is a guy that was the nicest surprise because we didn't plan on using him," offensive coordinator Al Borges said. "Jake has just been gigantic for us. Some games he's been bigger than others. Eventually he's going to have a good receiving game because he's a very good receiver, but just being able to do some of the things we ask him to and not put all of it on Funchess has been big." Since Michigan's bye week before the start of Big Ten play, Butt's offensive role has increased even more. The Wolverines have experimented with Funchess in a variety of different pass-catching roles, splitting him out wide or lining him up at slot receiver. That move has paid huge dividends, with Funchess torching the Minnesota, Penn State and Indiana defenses with 15 total catches for 347 yards (23.1 yards per catch) and three touchdowns. And the Wolverines would not have had the freedom to play around with Funchess' athletic ability if Butt had not made the strides he has to become a reliable U-back tight end. "He has exceeded what I thought, coming out of spring," Ferrigno said. "He has improved his blocking a lot, and that was a question mark, before the summer. His route-running and catching, we knew he could do that, and he has continued to get better. His ability to block has led to more playing time for him." Butt put in a lot of work in the offseason to make gains in his strength and conditioning. His biggest improvement, however, has been in blocking technique. Ferrigno stresses the importance of staying low with a solid base to control the line of scrimmage. Even Freshman Participation Chart Through the Indiana game Off./Special Player Pos. GP Def.Teams Kyle Bosch OG 110 Jake Butt* TE 772 Taco Charlton DE 534 Ben Gedeon LB 727 Derrick Green RB 771 Delano Hill DB 717 Da'Mario Jones WR 606 Jourdan Lewis CB 737 Shane Morris QB 220 De'Veon Smith RB 717 Channing Stribling^ CB 737 Dymonte ThomasS717 Csont'e York WR 110 *Has started three games; ^Has started one game