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| Devin Funchess |
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 223 lbs.
High school: Farmington Hills (MI) Harrison
Position: Tight end
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #19
Last year: Funchess was in high school. He had 21 receptions for 452 yards (21.4 yards per reception) and 5 touchdowns.
Final TTB Rating: 75
Funchess committed to Michigan in April of last year after having an outstanding junior season catching the ball. He carried that success into his senior year. At 6'5" and 223 lbs., he was still fast enough to get downfield while being tall and athletic enough to make players over smaller defensive backs.
The coaches see Funchess fitting into their U-back position, which is part fullback, part tight end, and part wide receiver. Kevin Koger filled that role at times last season, creating mismatches against linebackers, but Koger was also used as an in-line blocker. Funchess will likely be 225-230 lbs. when the season rolls around, meaning he will lack the bulk to be a dependable interior blocker. However, he does have the frame and speed to go in motion and split out into the slot. Because the need is so dire at the tight end positions, it's likely that both Funchess and the more traditional tight end A.J. Williams will play this season, but they will play different roles. Furthermore, those positions will quite possibly be de-emphasized this season in an effort to get the best eleven athletes on the field and give quarterback Denard Robinson plenty of room to operate.
Prediction: Backup U-back
Probably my favorite recruit next to Kalis in this class. I predict that the in-line TE will be used predominantly for short yardage and goal line formations (i.e, not much). But Borges can get a lot more creative with the U-back because it can be used in spread and pro formations. I can see Funchess developing a chemistry w/ Denard right away and becoming a major target. From his HS and all star game film, he shows great hands and is a smooth athlete. I think he will be a match-up problem for LB's and safeties. Just don't see any other match-up problems in this offense outside of Denard.
ReplyDelete"those positions will quite possibly be de-emphasized this season in an effort to get the best eleven athletes on the field and give quarterback Denard Robinson plenty of room to operate"
ReplyDeleteThat seems like a dubious hypothesis given last year. While Steve Watson was a better than perhaps he looked, he was still not the kind of athlete that our backup RBs and WRs are, yet he played a ton.
Nine times out of 10 a 225 lb freshman TE is going to be red-shirted. Since he's basically just a tall WR right now, his path to playing time would be at that position, meaning he has to beat out Darboh, Chesson, etc. I think that's unlikely.
I don't know if he'll red-shirt or not, because the coaches need bodies at TE both this year and next, but I'd be very surprised if he saw significant playing time - maybe in obvious passing situations in an attempt to keep defenses from changing into nickel or dime packages by keeping a 'TE' on the field...but who knows, maybe he's a special talent and will be a play-making WR from the position and replace some of what Koger brought, or they can run to the other side of the field from him. I doubt it though. I say he catches 2 passes during the tail end of early season cupcake games and we bemoan his wasted red-shirt.
I think the tight end position WAS de-emphasized in the second half of last year. Koger still played a lot, but Brandon Moore and Steve Watson seemed to disappear a little more in late October, November, and January. I don't see why the coaches would once again go back to running two and three tight ends when they saw that the offense worked more efficiently without them.
DeleteI wonder what makes you say that because I had the opposite impression. Watson started 4 games - all in the latter half of the season (MSU, Neb, NW, Iowa). Other than that I don't have any data about formations or player snaps but just looking at a UFR late season games there was still a ton of 'twins' or '2TE'. Obviously, Borges is a flexible coach, overall, and he uses a lot of different formations but he seems pretty married to regular use of two TEs, even when he doesn't have the personnel suited for it. I wouldn't expect that to change next year... and I'm a guy who thinks our WR position is pretty solid, but even I wouldn't change my offensive play-calling to get people like Jackson and Dileo onto the field more.
DeleteI think this kid has mismatch written all over him in passing situations. At 6'5 with great hands and (IMO) pretty good speed likely matched up against a linebacker (or even worse, gulp, a safety), I think that's a win. Keep in mind that the offense will likely shift pretty dramatically after Denard is gone, and I think the new-look offense will be much more suited to Funchess's strengths. As a blocker it remains to be seen how Funchess can handle bigger players, but I think this kid sees the field in one fashion or another.
ReplyDeleteHope you're right about him, and the optimist in my can see the potential, but his only offer was Nebraska, so I kind of doubt he's that type of instant-impact athlete.
DeleteI think the offense is going to change less than people think between Denard and Devin, but either way, Borges loves using TEs so Funchess should have a good career.
His only offer was Nebraska...and Missouri, Michigan State, Illinois, Virginia... That's not a great list, but it's more extensive than you're saying.
DeleteYep, sorry, I meant to say IMPRESSIVE offer. He's a good prospect, IMO, I'm just saying his lack of high-end offers indicates he's unlikely to be the kind of athlete that creates matchup problems.
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