Monday, July 1, 2013

2013 Season Countdown: #59 Dylan Esterline

Dylan Esterline (image via MGoBlog)
Name: Dylan Esterline
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 240 lbs.
High school: Blissfield (MI) Blissfield
Position: Tight end
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #42
Last year: I didn't rank Esterline. He had 1 catch for 7 yards against Illinois.

Esterline was one of those anonymous walk-on players last year who developed into a viable backup player. In Michigan's blowout of the Fighting Illini, he grabbed one pass only to be tackled immediately. Most walk-ons dreams for just one opportunity like that.

Esterline might have a chance to add to that production, though. Michigan is a little short on bona fide tight end prospects with sophomore A.J. Williams assured a spot as a blocker and everything up in the air after that. Sophomore Devin Funchess is more of a flex tight end, and freshmen Jake Butt and Khalid Hill are somewhat undersized for in-line blocking at this point, too. Al Borges likes to use multiple tight ends, and Esterline could be the #2 guy at the Y position. He probably won't be much of a receiving threat, but I do think he'll get some playing time over a guy like redshirt junior Jordan Paskorz, who has not impressed me physically.

Prediction: Backup tight end

2 comments:

  1. ooooooo, nice one.

    My inclination is to not give up on Paskorz or read anything into the garbage-time catch, but you could be right.

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  2. I played with Dylan at Blissfield. He would catch anything thrown is way. Good luck to him hope he gets some time on the field.

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