The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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26 THE WOLVERINE JANUARY 2018 TighT Ends PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN MVP REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE ZACH GENTRY Gentry had his res- ervations about mov- ing from quarterback to tight end, but he's a budding star. He proved to be a mis- match with his 6-7 frame, and though he dropped a few passes this year, including a big one at Wisconsin, he was a weapon in the passing game. He finished the season with 15 receptions for 276 yards and two touchdowns, and was one of the players of the game in a win at Purdue, notching a score and a key 25-yard reception for a first down. His 18.4 yards per catch led all play- ers with more than two grabs, and he had at least one reception of 25 yards or more in six games. Gentry also made a huge leap in blocking, an area of weakness when he first converted from quarterback. His coaches credited him for signifi- cant progress throughout the year. Unsung Hero SOPHOMORE SEAN MCKEON He narrowly edged out Gentry as the leading receiver at the position with 285 yards, and was actually just 22 yards behind junior wideout Grant Perry for the team lead. McKeon's 29 receptions were the most for the Maize and Blue, and he also caught the most touchdowns of any player on Michigan's roster with three. Ironically, though, the sophomore didn't grab his first score until Nov. 4 against Min- nesota, and then proceeded to haul in a touchdown in two of U-M's next three games. Regular-Season Grade This group had its mo- ments, but didn't quite live up to the hype as one of the Big Ten's top groups. Both Gentry and McKeon earned honorable mention All-Big Ten ac- colades, and McKeon led the team with 29 receptions, though 82 of his 285 receiving yards came in a win at Purdue. Like Gentry, McKeon dropped a few balls, and the other tight ends were limited to six grabs be- tween them. An injury to sophomore Nick Eubanks, who hauled in a 48-yarder against Florida in the opener, took away one of the team's deep threats in the Big Ten opener with the Boilermakers. Redshirt sophomore Tyrone Wheatley Jr. is still the team's best blocker at the position and was solid in that role. Team Players Combined Yards TDs Iowa Noah Fant and T.J. Hockenson 797 13 Purdue Cole Herdman and Brycen Hopkins 640 6 Wisconsin Troy Fumagalli and Zander Neuville 597 6 NW Garrett Dickerson and Cameron Green 571 6 Michigan Sean McKeon and Zach Gentry 561 5 sTaTus Of schOlarship playErs GRADUATED: None ELIGIBILITY REMAINING (YEARS): Ian Bunting (1) Nick Eubanks (2) Zach Gentry (2) Sean McKeon (2) Tyrone Wheatley Jr. (2) B- NUMBERS TO KNOW Sophomore Sean McKeon and redshirt sophomore Zach Gentry each had breakout campaigns in 2017, posting 285 and 276 yards, respectively. In fact, their combined 561 receiving yards were the fifth-most in the Big Ten among tight end duos. Here's a look at the top tight end combinations in the con- ference based on total yards hauled in: Running backs coach Jay Harbaugh, who coached tight ends in 2015 and 2016 "[Redshirt sopho- more] Zach [Gentry] is a smart guy. His background as a quar- terback helps him because he sees the game from a bigger picture." Zach Gentry Sophomore Sean McKeon led the team in receptions with 29, covering 285 yards. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN ATHLETIC MEDAI RELATIONS