The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/465847
T he NFL Combine can make or break a prospect's chances of be- ing drafted. This year, former Wolver- ines Frank Clark, Jake Ryan and Devin Funchess are hopeful the weeklong event, Feb. 17-23 in Indianapolis, will aid their goal of hearing their name called during the three-day NFL Draft April 30-May 2. In total, 39 players from the Big Ten have been invited, including five from both Penn State and Michigan State, and four from Ohio State and Iowa. Michigan is one of four league schools sending three prospects, joining Min- nesota, Nebraska and Maryland. Tight end/wide receiver Funchess has the best chance at going in the first or second round among former Wol- verines. The 6-5, 230-pound prospect was a Freshman All-American in 2012 when he set Michigan true-freshman tight end records for receptions (15), receiving yards (234) and touchdowns (five). (Rising junior Jake Butt would break the first two marks in 2013.) Funchess then spent four games of his sophomore year at tight end, catch- ing eight passes for 145 yards and a score before moving out to wide re- ceiver, where he hauled in 41 recep- tions for 603 yards and five touch- downs in Michigan's final nine games. He made 62 grabs for 733 yards and four scores in his junior year, showing dazzling athleticism but also a pen- chant to drop passes. Inside Michigan ATHLETICS Former Wolverines Set To Participate At NFL Combine Jake Ryan finished his career with 45.5 tack- les for loss — a mark that ranks sixth all time at U-M and second among linebackers. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL