The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/666058
Tight Ends Developing Depth Michigan tight ends coach Jay Harbaugh was unproven coming into last sea- son — U-M was his first job as a full-time position coach. He helped turn senior Jake Butt into the Big Ten Tight End of the Year in his first season, and year two looks even more promising. Butt returns after spurning NFL overtures (some thought he could be a sec- ond- or third-round pick) and is considered a preseason All-America candidate by many. As good as he is, there's always room for improvement. "Just consistency," Harbaugh said. "He's very capable as a blocker — he's been a violent guy. He's had good hands as a blocker, but it's not 100 percent. It's just making it an all-the-time thing. That's probably the biggest thing. As a receiver, he's just so natural and has a knack for doing everything right. "I told him if he comes back, the plan will continue as it was already laid out — to make him the best tight end in America. I think he is now. I think he can really separate and solidify that this year with just making a few tweaks." He's got talent behind him, too, to push him if he lets up. Unlike a year ago — when redshirt sophomore Ian Bunting, the team's No. 2 tight end, caught only five balls — there are skilled pass catchers ready to share the wealth a Jim Harbaugh offense provides its tight ends. Butt hauled in 51 passes a year ago, and with A.J. Williams having graduated and senior Khalid Hill moving to fullback, the young guys are ready for their chance. Bunting led all receivers in the spring game with 53 receiving yards, 49 of them coming on a drag route in which he outran a linebacker. Redshirt fresh- man Tyrone Wheatley Jr. is a beast at 275 pounds, frosh Sean McKeon is an early enrollee with potential and smarts, and converted quarterback and redshirt freshman Zach Gentry is a budding star at the position — and all could play in the fall. "I wouldn't think of it as guys fighting for the third spot," Harbaugh explained. "We travel six guys to all the games, so there really is no other spot to be won." But four or five guys might rotate depending on the role, he added, and there are jobs to be won. Wheatley dropped some passes at the final scrimmage at Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy — until then, though, he'd been very good, and his huge frame makes him a great candidate as a run blocker. He should be a consistent target on third-and-short with his ability to shield defenders. Gentry has found ways to get open this spring and provides speed he can't match, Butt noted. "I think he runs a 4.5 40," Butt said. "You look at Wheatley, he's 280 pounds. It's unbelievable. "We're blessed with talent from top to bottom. My job will be to teach