Michigan Football: Bright Future Lies Ahead at Tight End
It’s no secret that the Michigan football team has one of the best tight ends in the country in All-American Jake Butt, but what many might not know, is the promising future that lies ahead at the position.
The Michigan football team has a lot of areas that can be considered strengths, but one position that should be strong in both the short term and the long term, is tight end.
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Obviously, Michigan football has one of the nation’s best on its roster right now in Jake Butt, but with others such as Tyrone Wheatley Jr, Zach Gentry, Ian Bunting and Sean McKeon, all ready to contribute in 2016, the future is bright.
Of course, we all know Wheatley Jr.’s credentials. His father was a Michigan football great at running back and with the younger Wheatley, possessing elite measurables at 6-6, 280-pounds, he is a favorite to earn some playing time behind Butt this season.
However, he’s not the only tight end that will push for playing time. Bunting, who caught five passes for 73 yards a season ago, also stands 6-7 and should have a chance to contribute in 2016, even if the blocking role that A.J. Williams succeeded in a year ago is likely to go Wheatley Jr.
But beyond this season, Wheatley Jr. and Bunting are just two examples of promising, two-way players. The one that may actually have more potential than any other is Zach Gentry, a 6-7, four-star quarterback, now turned tight end.
From the day Jim Harbaugh stole Gentry from the University of Texas in recruiting, the Wolverines have been in love with his athleticism. And that’s why, when the quarterback depth became stacked against him, Gentry was given the chance to show what we could do at tight end.
And so far, the experiment has worked with flying colors. In fact, here’s what Michigan tight ends coach Jay Harbaugh had to say about Gentry’s transition in March to Mlive.com :
"“He’s got what we call ‘dominant traits,’ ” Michigan tight ends coach Jay Harbaugh said this week. “He’s super fast, he’s super tall and he has very good hands. He has something naturally that gives him a chance to beat anybody as a route runner. That’s something, recruiting-wise, you want to bring in. People who have a dominant trait. Whether it be a vicious blocker or a savvy route runner with great body control.“Just something you’re really (naturally) good at. And then you get good enough with the other stuff so you’re well-rounded. (Gentry) has that. I was hoping he’d move over (to tight end), and I’m really excited to work with him.”"
Those dominant traits, seemingly exist in every Michigan tight end as Wheatley Jr., Bunting, Gentry and McKeon, all stand at least 6-5 or taller. Their skills and their development at the hands of Jay Harbaugh, has the Wolverines with a number of talented options to take over for Butt as the starter next season.
Jay Harbaugh also said, he expects all four of those guys to see significant snaps in 2016, which should set the stage for an intriguing camp battle in 2017.
“”I think all those (tight ends) are going to play this year. I think in certain roles all of them will play this year.”
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If one thing is certain, tight end is not a position where the Wolverines are fretting about the future.