The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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you're always trying to see how you can incorporate him." As far as the big plays go, Butt in- sisted those began brewing shortly after Rudock arrived. The two Jakes certainly didn't have all the time to- gether Butt enjoyed with, say, junior quarterback Shane Morris. So instead of two years together, Butt and Rudock used two months plus fall camp to develop a sense for each other in the passing game. "That whole process started the day Jake got here," Butt said. "His locker is right next to mine, and we just started playing catch. All summer, we'd do our player-led practices, like 7-on-7s, 1-on-1s, running routes and just build- ing a chemistry. "Jake has had some success at other schools, so he knows how to get it done." Much of that involves communica- tion, the tight end noted, and although Rudock is a rookie in Harbaugh's sys- tem, he certainly doesn't resemble a freshman. His savvy in being able to work with receivers individually and know their needs has played an im- portant role in the cohesion, Butt said. "He does a good job of trying to talk to all the receivers and tight ends," he explained. "If we make a nice play, he'll make sure to congratulate us. A lot of our routes, you could run a post or a basic or an out route all on one Through three games, Butt has hauled in 14 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL