Michigan Football: 2014 Roster — Going Into Spring — Tight Ends

Posted at 8:00am — 1/21/2014

Michigan Football: 2014 Roster — Going Into Spring — Tight Ends

Going into spring football we are going to do our version of the roster breakdown and what we believe going into spring football might look like.

Michigan Football Spring practices start March 25th.

2014 Tight End Spring Roster

*** Represents walk-on players.

With new offensive coordinator Coach Nussmeier how will the tight ends be effected? Will they be more involved or less involved? Will they be moved around on the field such as being slotted out or be used such as a H-Back. Having ever player back this upcoming season is a major plus especially knowing this young group of tight ends saw a lot of game experience this past season and has shown when given a opportunity in the passing game that they can be very effective.

Dec 28, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; Michigan Wolverines tight end Devin Funchess (87) runs the ball in the first quarter against the Kansas State Wildcats during the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY SportsDevin Funchess is the biggest weapon at the position which he was moved out to receiver throughout the year. Will he stay at receiver or will he be forced to play the position that will later down the road see him playing on Sunday’s?

The factors that revolved around this while all be up to Funchess more than anything else. Will he approach this off-season to not only get bigger, stronger, faster and the cliche states, but will he be mentally prepared to take on offensive linemen in the blocking scheme. That was one reason why he was moved because he was very ineffective blocking or willingness to block might be a better word for it.

He has to show as a receiver to be more reliable as well because as we saw this team struggle offensively last season we had plays where drives could have been extended, but way to many drop balls played into the bad performances by the entire offense. Time for Funchess to take more of a leadership role on this team along with stepping up his game to become a better tight end.

Nov 30, 2013; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines tight end Jake Butt (88) looks to get vertical after making a catch during the second quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY SportsJake Butt has shown since arriving early last spring he puts a lot of time in the off-season to improve himself. Since he arrived he has gained nearly 50 pounds to his frame.

The thing he needs to work on more than anything is staying in the weight room and learning to block a lot better which usually is common for a second year player and being able to go through spring practices again. His freshman year was probably a blur to him, but having those extra six months in the spring allowed him to see the field as a true freshman and become a factor in the passing game.

Now we just need the quarterbacks to be developed to look around and hit the open receivers whoever they are and we believe Jake could be a serious weapon and be a mismatch going up against either linebackers or safeties in the passing game.

Nov 30, 2013; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines tight end Jake Butt (88) receives congratulations from tight end A.J. Williams (84) after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium. Ohio State won 42-41. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY SportsA.J. Williams has improved his weight since arriving, but the biggest issue is getting his technique down and learning the best way for him to see the field on a more consistent basis is become the best tight end blocker on the team, but that won’t be the only reason he see the field, because he needs to show that he is not only a one way blocking player, but show that he can be effective in the passing game as well and not a indication to the defense that since he is in it is likely a run.

The wildcard will be Khalid Hill and how does the offensive staff use him? Will he be solely a tight end or will they use him as a H-Back type of player. His play on the team this coming spring might be determined by others ahead of him as well. Will Funchess be primary a receiver this year or will they use him more in a traditional tight end set. Will the offense be using two tight end sets, slotting a tight end out, etc…

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Written by GBMWolverine Staff

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