 |
| Ian Bunting (image via Scout) |
Height: 6'7"
Weight: 230 lbs.
High school: Hinsdale (IL) Central
Position: Tight end
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #94
Last year: Bunting was a senior in high school. He had 10 receptions for 165 yards. He was a 247 Composite 4-star, the #11 tight end, and the #315 player overall.
Final TTB Rating: 78
Bunting committed to Michigan in April 2013, shunning offers from the likes of Florida State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Oregon, among numerous others. He played mostly wide receiver as a junior and put up some decent numbers, but he moved to tight end for his senior year, where his receiving numbers dropped significantly. He also earned an invitation to Nike's The Opening last July.
Bunting's role for 2014 seems a little up in the air. He was recruited to Michigan as a "U-back" type who could split out, play in the slot, play a little on the line, etc. Michigan already has a jumbo wide receiver in Devin Funchess, and Bunting doesn't have quite the athleticism of Funchess. The Wolverines also have a pretty good tight end in sophomore Jake Butt, who is recovering from an ACL tear and won't be back until a few games into the season. Other options are limited with blocking specialist A.J. Williams, converted defensive end Keith Heitzman, and rough-around-the-edges Khalid Hill. In my opinion, the coaches have to get Bunting ready for the beginning of the year so he can be a receiving threat from the tight end position, which is severely lacking without Butt. However, once the big sophomore returns, Bunting should be able to take a back seat.
Prediction: Backup tight end; 4 catches, 38 yards
"... with underwhelming blocking specialist A.J. Williams ..."
ReplyDeleteFTFY :)
Williams better step up and round out his game. The one thing he was called upon to do he did very poorly. He is a Junior now and better start playing like it.
DeleteJust think they need to get him off of the field. I am confident that when Butt is healthy, Williams will see much fewer snaps than he did under Borges. If you are going to be a non-threat in the passing game, you darn well better be a kick-a$$ blocker. And a guy who played OT in HS will never be a receiving threat. After a gazillion snaps already, I think his ceiling as a blocker is decent at best. Frankly, I'd rather see Bunting out there missing blocks than Williams, because at least Bunting would draw a look from a safety.
DeleteI've said it before here: A. J. Williams is Exhibit A of "Bad Hoke." (There _is_ a good Hoke.)
DeleteGlad to read that he ended up at TE his senior year. I've been viewing him as a poor man's Funchess and thought he could contribute in a similar way as a freshman (i.e., a jumbo WR who lines up at TE and sometimes makes half-hearted efforts at blocking). He sounds like he has the combo of high-upside and not-ready that I like to see red-shirted, but it may not happen.
ReplyDeleteI really hope we don't end up burning his redshirt for no good reason. He could be a very good tight end, but he needs a year at least to get healthy, bulk up, and work on his blocking. 6'7" and 250 lbs, with hands like shovels and he could be a great weapon. But there is no game before Butt gets back where he could possibly make a difference, and after Butt gets back, he won't be needed, especially if we're also using guys like Shallman as H-backs. With the numbers we have at WR, we can certainly muster a passing attack without much production at TE for a few games. We've done it before.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to take any opponent too lightly, but I do think that Bunting could help against Notre Dame and Utah, two formidable opponents. If he's the best pass receiving threat from the tight end position, then I think he needs to play. I don't think it's a good idea just to toss in the tight end towel for the first four games and not throw to them just because it's Williams, Heitzman, etc. The tight end is a big part of the modern passing game.
DeleteThey could opt for a situational rotation. Bunting plays in passing situation, while Williams/Heitzman get the bulk of the blocking duties. Of course, the 2-way threat is ideal (like Butt) but we don't have that option. The reality of the OL situation means our TE duties are going to mostly be a blocker this year.
DeleteIf Bunting can make a few big plays, especially early in the year when he can be a "surprise" threat, it's worth burning the red-shirt. But what we saw from freshman Funchess (who saw a lot of snaps in 2012) was that defenses figured out that he was one-dimensional by the end of the year and he was mostly neutralized. So, the question is can he actually make an impact as a receiver in 2014...my guess is not.
Agree. Hope for a redshirt. I see him as a star in the long term, but I'm not excited to play a TE that blocks like a freshman Funchess. If we want a TE who can catch but not block for a play here and there before Butt comes back, we can play Hill. Williams (looked surprisingly good in spring game) and Heitzman can handle the blocking with an occasional catch TE role.
ReplyDeleteRedshirt him... period. Do it Hoke.
ReplyDeleteAgree with the others that it would be ideal if he redshirts. But Bunting is not going be like Funchess part two - he'll eventually be a pure TE in my opinion. This guy is going to be huge when he fills out - his hands and frame are enormous and he is actually arriving to UM bigger than Butt. And even though he was often blocking DB's on his HS tape, he still looks like he has the aggressive mentality to get after it as a blocker. Really love the potential of Butt and Bunting long term - guessing that both are future NFL players.
ReplyDeleteWhen I called him Funchess Part 2, I meant only in regard to his Freshman season usage. Funchess can't block at all. I'm hopeful Bunting can.
DeleteIt's unlikely, but not impossible, that M will have 2 NFL TEs on the roster. It has happened before. Obviously it's way premature on Bunting, who was just a receiver through most of high school.
Agree with the others that it would be ideal if he redshirts. But Bunting is not going be like Funchess part two - he'll eventually be a pure TE in my opinion. This guy is going to be huge when he fills out - his hands and frame are enormous and he is actually arriving to UM bigger than Butt. And even though he was often blocking DB's on his HS tape, he still looks like he has the aggressive mentality to get after it as a blocker. Really love the potential of Butt and Bunting long term - guessing that both are future NFL players.
ReplyDelete