The Wolverine

March 2012

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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2012 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE Michigan needs tight ends, with senior captain Kevin Koger moving from a Sugar Bowl victory to a hoped-for football career beyond college. Enter Devin Funchess, a Farmington Hills (Mich.) Harrison senior who hopes to one day leave his own big shoes to fill. Funchess brings intriguing size, at 6-4. He's officially listed at 205 pounds — hardly the weight of a typical Big Ten tight end — although U-M head coach Brady Hoke says he's closer to 220, and Harrison coach John Herrington insists Funchess carries "great growth potential." What he also carries involves the type of versatility required to split out as a wide receiver and give opposing teams fits. That's what he did in high school, showing off an excellent pair of hands in addition to the ability to block. broke down through the middle and had two guys on him," Her- rington recalled. "He leaped up and made a one-handed catch at the goal line. In practice, he makes one-handed catches, makes fantastic catches all the time." "One game in particular, he Devin Funchess Brings Versatility To Tight Ends hopeful about seeing the field as quickly as possible. "It's important," Funchess acknowledged. "I've got to come in and get ready to play." He's already helped Michigan's cause, without taking a snap in college. Funchess is the one who encouraged Harrison teammate Mario Ojemudia to take a look at Michigan. That ultimately re- sulted in a two-for-one deal out of the Division 2 powerhouse this recruiting season. "I went up there and talked to Coach [Jerry] Montgomery," Funchess recalled. "I told him I had Mario interested in coming. Mario got into watching prac- tice and being over there, seeing what they do firsthand." All of Michigan's recruits saw firsthand what the Wolverines accomplished this season. That made an impact, and reassured incoming players like Funchess that they're headed for a high level of success. Harrison featured plenty of depth on the defensive side of the ball, so Funchess' presence wasn't always required there. But when he did get in at defen- sive end (outside linebacker in Michigan's system), he proved his point as well, the head coach observed. "I do remember him on defense in a big game," Her- rington said. "We put him in and he knocked down a pass, sacked the quarterback and then sacked the quar- terback again in three straight plays. That was against Rochester Adams, and I remember that on defense as much as anything on offense." The legendary prep coach collected his 13th state championship in Funchess' junior season, and has full confidence that Michigan will groom the senior for big- ger and better contributions. Weight won't be an issue, Herrington assured. "He'll get bigger," Herrington said. "I think he could be that prototype tight end, that they're using in the pros — really a wide receiver that is playing tight end. He has the ability to block, but he can get down the field. He's so tall, he can go up and catch the ball with good speed. "Also, even if he was at tight end, they could split him out and give matchup problems to the defense." Funchess noted he's being looked at as an "H-back" initially at Michigan, the motion tight end involved with blocking and an occasional reception. He's just ready to perform wherever assigned, but makes it clear he's 48 THE WOLVERINE MARCH 2012 pretty much the whole season, I liked the way they were doing things, and getting prepared for next year," Funchess noted. "The talent coming in should mix well with the players that are there now." "During the Sugar Bowl, and Funchess hauled in 57 receptions for 1,171 yards (20.5 yards per catch) and 12 touchdowns for Farmington Hills (Mich.) Harrison in 2010-11. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL fight for my position," he said. "I know there's a lack there. I just want to bring the Michigan way back." Funchess doesn't expect too many surprises when he He also acknowledged an in- timate knowledge of Michigan's depth chart at tight end, now devoid of anyone seeing exten- sive time in the 2011 campaign. "I just want to come in and hits Ann Arbor. Not only is he close enough to have been around Michigan football a lot, the man in charge has leveled with him from the beginning, the senior insisted. "He's a coach that keeps it real with you," Funchess said. "He lets you know what he really wants you to do. He's a cool dude." Hoke will be looking for some hot contenders at the tight end positions. Although Funchess built a reputa- tion at Harrison as a fun-loving, playful type, Her- rington insisted he could buckle down when necessary, and pointed out the fact that his senior will need to do so in the days to come. "He's very gregarious," Herrington said. "He always seems to be having fun. Although, on the field, he can get pretty mean, pretty intense, if things aren't going quite right." One of Hoke's favorite pregame phrases fits well: "Have fun." The sooner Funchess grows into a contrib- uting role, the more fun they'll both enjoy. — John Borton

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