Michigan Football Preview 2013

2013 Michigan Football Preview

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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Embracing The Block Funchess burst onto the scene in the second game of his rookie campaign with a four-catch, 106-yard performance, which included a 30-yard TD grab, against Air Force. photo by lon horwedel I didn't know what to do. Everyone started yelling. I looked around, and everyone in the stadium was standing up, waving pompoms and celebrating. I was so happy." Funchess finished the season with 15 receptions for 234 yards (15.6 yards per catch) and a team-high five touchdowns, earning Freshman All-American honors from Phil Steele and the Football Writers Association Of America. "I was surprised. I kind of expected to be slow-played into the offense, because I wasn't the typical tight end, coming in," Funchess said. "When I got out there and they called my number, I just did what I had to do. It surprised me to get so many chances, but then again, I wasn't, because I am confident in my ability to get the job done." Funchess proved himself as a playmaker. But the Wolverines need more from their tight ends. Funchess had a rude awakening to life as a tight end. In 2012 fall camp, he lined up against veteran defensive end Craig Roh — and had his butt kicked plenty of times. "Craig has an excellent motor, and he's going to be quick off the ball every time," Funchess said. "I had to use my quickness as well, so I was cheating my stance a little bit, trying to get in the perfect position, in order to block him." "Cheating your stance," or leaning into a block before the snap, is a common mistake for inexperienced blockers — for a player like Roh, it just tipped off where the ball was headed. Funchess can obviously make an impact in the passing game. But until he focused on and improved his blocking ability, he was going to be too one-dimensional. "I have to become a better blocker," Funchess said. "It's for the team. In order for us to win and get to the Big Ten Championship and the Rose Bowl, I have to block, and I have to take pride in it." In high school, Funchess rarely blocked anything but cornerbacks on the outside. When he was called on to block from the line of scrimmage, he just used his massive frame to more or less get in the way of a defensive end until the running back was out of harm's way. "I was used to stalk blocking, and that was much easier for me, because I'm so much bigger than defensive backs," Funchess said. "Going down and blocking defensive ends who have 40 pounds on me, it's a whole new thing." Defensive end Frank Clark, now a junior, was another pass rusher who got the best of Funchess more often than not during those first few weeks. But as his freshman season went on, Funchess steadily began to pick up the necessary skills. Toward the end of the year, something clicked. Suddenly, blocking seemed more natural to him. "I have improved tremendously," Funchess said. "I use my athletic ability to my advan- First-And-10 With Devin Funchess First Car That He Drove: "I've never had a car." First Major Sports Event He Attended: "I went to a Pistons game when they were in the playoffs, when I was a kid. That was pretty exciting." First Autograph He Asked For: "When I was growing up, my uncle knew a bunch of the guys who played for the Lions. He got me Chris Claiborne's autograph one time. He used to play linebacker for them." First Loss That Made You Cry: "Senior year, we lost to Brother Rice in the playoffs. That one really hit me." First Wolverine Hero: "I always loved watching Braylon Edwards. He was so explosive and fun to watch. He was that guy, a superstar." First Jersey He Bought: "I remember getting a Michael Jordan jersey, 114  ■  The Wolverine 2013 Football Preview but the No. 45 jersey, when he came back from retirement. I thought it was cool to get that one instead of No. 23." First Class He Took At Michigan: "I took a public speaking class, and I think that has really helped me out." First Team He Ever Played For: "I played for a club team called the Cubs. They had football and basketball teams, and I played for both of them, growing up." First Rival He Hated: "Growing up, I didn't really hate any of the other teams. I just loved to play the game. I didn't care about anything like that — I just wanted to be out there playing." — Andy Reid

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