Michigan Football: Cane Berrong is the perfect tight end for Josh Gattis

Michigan football already has a commitment from one of the top quarterbacks in the 2021 recruiting class and now it is after the No. 1 tight end.

Michigan football has always been an attractive place for top recruits. But with the addition of new offensive coordinator Josh Gattis, more and more skill guys are taking an interest in the Wolverines.

The latest is Cane Berrong, the No. 1 tight end in the 2021 class according to the 247 sports rankings. Berrong, 6-foot-5 tight end from Hartwell, Georgia, visited Michigan football over the weekend and came away impressed.

Berrong met with key coaches during his visit according to Brice Marich of the Michigan Insider ($), who also reported that Berrong was told by the coaching staff he was their top target for 2021.

“(I talked with) Coach Moore, Coach Newsome, Coach Herbert, and Coach Harbaugh,” Berrong said. “They told me I was their #1 guy for the class. They loved what I show on film and how I would be perfect for the new offense. I want to be a strength coach, so Coach Herbert talked to me about that process and showed me a few techniques.”

Of course, a big question for Berrong was how he would fit into the system of Gattis, which emphasizes speed and space. It also doesn’t necessarily favor playing a traditional tight end a lot, however, Berrong seemed satisfied with Michigan’s response on how it will use him.

“Very (interested in Michigan), Berrong said. “I always have been. I just wanted to see the new offense and how they plan to use the tight ends in it. I can’t say a whole lot because they want to keep it quiet for the fall, but it’s similar to some of the things we do at my high school. We just don’t have the tight end numbers they do.”

If you take a look at Berrong’s highlights, you can get an idea for how Gattis might use him. In fact, it gives Michigan football fans an idea of how all the tight ends will be used this fall.

In the highlights of Berrong, you rarely see him lined up as a traditional tight end. He’s in the slot or off the line of scrimmage or sometimes flexed out wide. He also lines up in an H-back type role a few times and could potentially block out of that formation, but mostly he’s a receiver.

That’s what you would expect out of Michigan football’s tight ends in 2019. There will be some blocking in the run game. Yet, for the most part, it sounds like the tight end position is essentially another receiver.

Berrong is best described as a move tight end, someone who plays the position in a non-traditional role. Devin Funchess was a good recent example. Jake Butt was too, although he was also damn good as an in-line blocker.

Sean McKeon and Nick Eubanks will look to fill that role next season, along with youngers like Erick All and Mustapha Muhammad. All could be the most comparable to Berrong in that he’s essentially a receiver. He even made a nice catch that opened eyes in the spring game.

Berrong is built in that same mold and in the Wolverines new offense, he would flourish. That’s why it’s not shocking to hear he’s a top target for the Michigan staff in 2021. He’s a perfect fit for what Gattis wants in a tight end and pairing with him J.J. McCarthy would be a dream come true.

The competition will be difficult. Clemson, Notre Dame and Georgia appear to be the early favorites and all have crystal balls according to 247 sports. However, Gattis could be the X-factor and his future plans for Berrong could be the key to his recruitment.