The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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Michigan's 2012 Tight End Usage Hinges On Production TIGHT SPOT B BY JOHN BORTON rady Hoke understands the questions. Al Borges isn't a bit surprised. Michigan's tight ends coach Dan Ferrigno doesn't find himself taken aback in the least by those who put the big question mark on his group this season. It's reality, both in terms of personnel and experience. Now, that can change. That will change, according to the aforementioned archi- tects of Michigan's offensive attack. But for right now, the Wolverines feature zero collegiate starts among their roster of tight ends. In other words, the spread ended up spreading this spot pretty thin. "We inherited two tight ends, and one of them is gone," Ferrigno noted. "He was a very good player, played very well for us, and did a lot for our football team." "If these kids show up, and we develop a couple of guys, you'll see a little more two-tight ends stuff. But if not, we have other ways to attack teams." TIGHT ENDS COACH DAN FERRIGNO Tight ends coach Dan Ferrigno has capable players at his position group, but they lack experience — the Wolverines feature zero col - legiate starts among their roster of tight ends. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN PRESEASON ANALYSIS: TIGHT ENDS Fifth-year senior Brandon Moore made some nice strides in the spring, enough that tight ends coach Dan Ferrigno had no trouble elevating him to the No. 1 spot. That said, Moore hasn't started a game for the Wolverines, and Ferrigno makes it clear the veteran has to keep improving to earn a prominent role in Michigan's offense. Moore is committed to taking a big leap in his final season, and his progress dictates much about the position this fall. Starter Right now, any depth remains unproven on game day. Veteran walk-on Mike Kwiat - kowski showed himself to be very solid in the spring, but has been on the field only twice for the Wolverines in games. Beyond him, Michigan's hopes rest largely on incoming freshmen, who may or may not be ready to contribute significantly come fall. Depth It's the freshmen, without a doubt. Can A.J. Williams settle in and move some people from a blocking standpoint, at 6-6, 275? Can Devin Funchess prove to be an effective pass catcher and red zone threat at 6-4, 225? If either of those scenarios plays out in a positive fashion this fall, the position becomes immediately upgraded. X-Factor There are just too many question marks to elevate the grade at this point. Michigan will once again become a destination for great tight ends with its offense moving back toward a pro-style model. This season, the lack of a returning starter and the unproven nature of the contestants demands, at the very least, a wait-and-see approach. Note: Star rankings are made on a scale of 1-5 stars. Overall 7 7 7 7 7 7 Ferrigno was referring to senior captain Kevin Koger, Michigan's third-leading receiver in 2011, in terms of catches. Koger hauled in 23 passes for 244 yards and four touchdowns a year ago, including a crucial TD grab in Michigan's win over Ohio State. Now, the opportunity for playing time at the position stands as wide-open as an up-tempo spread. Whether or not the former back- ups, walk-ons and freshmen vying to fill the gap do so well enough to see the field extensively remains a burning question into fall camp. If they don't, the position could be deemphasized a bit this year. Borges, Michigan's offensive coordinator, has made it clearly known that tight end will constitute a huge part of future U-M offenses. For now, the position group gets what it earns. Ferrigno acknowledged some experimentation in the spring, in terms of a reduced tight ends package. Borges tends to put his of- fenses into "12-4 Tiger" personnel — two tight ends, two receivers, one back — about 40 percent of the time. Michigan reduced that percentage last year, even with Koger on hand, and cut it back again in the spring. The emphasis remains on coming out victorious, Ferrigno stressed. "To win football games — and I think we proved that last year — you take what you have and you be smart, and you build an offense around what you have," he said. "We've got a great quarterback — a great athlete, that just makes things happen. To stick him under the center all the time, and make him drop back and read the field, it wouldn't be smart. "If these kids show up, and we develop a couple of guys, you'll see a little more two-tight ends stuff. But if not, we have other ways to attack teams." The "kids" are 6-6, 275-pound A.J. Williams out of Cincinnati and 6-4, 225-pound Devin Funchess from nearby Farmington Hills. They'll have every opportunity come fall camp to prove they can Searching For Answers THE WOLVERINE 2012 FOOTBALL PREVIEW s 119 TE