The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/798849
32 THE WOLVERINE APRIL 2017 2017 SPRING FOOTBALL PREVIEW. TIGHT ENDS PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN BY THE NUMBERS 1 Career touchdown pass caught by Michi- gan's returning group of tight ends — a 21-yarder by Wheat- ley against Illinois. 6 Tight ends in Michi- g a n h i s t o r y h a v e reached 1,000 career receiving yards, in- cluding Butt. The Wol- verines' active leader is Bunting with 118. 46 Combined game ap- pearances by Michi- gan's returning tight ends. 768 Combined weight of Michigan's heavi- est trio of tight ends ( Wheatley, Bunting and McKeon), an aver- age of 256.0 pounds. POSITION BATTLE TO WATCH This is really another wide-open race, although Bunting's use and effort in the Orange Bowl appears to demonstrate some confidence in him as someone ready to step forward. The battle involves who asserts himself to get involved in multiple tight end situations, which Michigan has used frequently un- der Jim Harbaugh. Wheatley is the most physically imposing, but others could make a move in the spring. WHO'S GONE JAKE BUTT It's tough to replace the 2016 John Mackey Award winner as the nation's top tight end, espe- cially when you consider he holds school records for most receptions (138) and receiving yards (1,646) by a tight end. DEVIN ASIASI He was only here a year, but the freshman demonstrated great potential, playing in all 13 Michigan games in 2016 with a pair of receptions for 18 yards, including a touchdown against Penn State. WHO'S BACK REDSHIRT JUNIOR IAN BUNTING The physically imposing Bun- ting (6-7, 252) has 10 career catches for 118 yards and stepped up for a career-best three receptions for 40 yards against Florida State in the Orange Bowl. REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE TYRONE WHEATLEY JR. Wheatley (6-6, 276) began making his presence known in 2016, catching three passes for 35 yards and a touchdown while using his size to mix it up blocking for the Wolverines. SOPHOMORE SEAN MCKEON McKeon (6-5, 240) saw action in four games as a true freshman, making a pair of receptions for 10 yards, but also earned Offensive Scout Team Player of the Week prior to the Indiana and Michi- gan State games. SOPHOMORE NICK EUBANKS Eubanks (6-5, 236) got into one game as a true freshman, making his debut on Sept. 10 versus UCF, but he'll look to seize an opportunity this spring. TOP NEWCOMERS FRESHMAN CARTER SELZER Michigan didn't land a scholarship tight end in the class of 2017, but the 6-8, 225-pound Selzer heads a list of preferred walk-ons at that spot, including 6-3, 220-pound Chris Hanlon and 6-4, 248-pound Ryan Veingrad, both out of Florida. Michigan's tight ends group felt the double whammy this offseason, with All- American Jake Butt finishing his eligibility and promising freshman Devin Asiasi opting to transfer. However, the Wolverines do feature one seasoned veteran and a number of younger tight ends ready to compete. "You've got a lot of options. I know Tyrone Wheatley played more and more as the year went on. It's one of those positions that somebody is going to step up. They've got six or seven guys, and who it's going to be, I don't know." — U-M All-American Jon Jansen QUOTA BL E H ere's a position that really took a punch to the gut by attrition, both expected (Butt) and un- expected (Asiasi). Had Michigan known the rookie tight end was for certain heading back to California, it might well have expanded the tight end ranks by one in recruiting. That said, the cupboard isn't bare, with Bunting, Wheatley, McKeon and Eubanks. Plus, there's a wild card. Although fifth-year senior Khalid Hill finds himself right at home in the fullback spot, batter- ing away for one-yard touchdown plunges, he's a former tight end who knows his way around the of- fense. Hill could seamlessly switch back to a tight end spot in certain situa- tions, giving Michigan considerable flexibility and added depth when it comes to the position. It's not likely Hill makes a complete transition back to tight end, but he wouldn't have to do so to provide the Wolver- ines a big weapon in key situations. — John Borton IAN BUNTING