The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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michigan football out of the gate playing in September. Through 10 games, he'd made 12 catches for 117 yards and one touchdown, and he had learned plenty about the blocking aspect of the tight end position. He drew even more time when Funchess began splitting out at wide receiver. Butt knows the Wolverines haven't fulfilled all their goals for the season, but he also sees something building among the younger classes. "We've got a young team, and I think we've come a long way, too," he said. "There is obviously a lot of improving to do, but there is a huge upside and a lot of potential. "We've made mistakes, but we've shown times where we can be great. Indiana, Notre Dame … there have been times we've shown we can have a prolific offense. It's about coming together and playing a complete game." Butt noted tight ends coach Dan Ferrigno wants him around 250 pounds next year, able to play consistently at tight end and block the big boys on the line of scrimmage. The freshman, though, thinks he could even carry a bit more weight. "I'm 245 right now, and I'm a little skinny," he said. "I think I can be about 260 and still move well. That's for the next offseason to decide." In the meantime, he's fighting off any negative thoughts and battling to the end of the season. He knows fans were disappointed in Michigan's November stumble, just like players and coaches. That's not going to slow him down, he promised. "I think it's great that we have so many people that are passionate about our program," he said. "I think our team is in a good position right now. We've had some bumps in the road, but it's a great opportunity for the team. You hit a bump in the road, it's a great opportunity to bounce back and show them what you're made of. "We don't really pay attention to [the negative talk]. We know the abilities of the guys on our team, we know their strengths, and we all have confidence in the guy next to us, that we're going to go out there and get the job done." Jibreel Black Accustomed To Taking The Hits Senior defensive lineman Jibreel Black had to make an adjustment this season, going from defensive end to defensive tackle, in the middle of the trenches maelstrom. While head coach Brady Hoke noted he's embracing the contact better, Black said it's a different collection of collisions. "Going from end to the inside, you've got to get used to it," Black said. "It's a different world. Everything happens much faster. You get more contact. You get more double teams. I was getting used to the contact. "I love contact, but you have to get used to it — people coming from different angles, whereas if you're an end, you've only got one guy coming at you, the tackle." The senior has worked to plug the