Michigan football countdown to kickoff: 83 days until 2022 season
There’s much anticipation heading into the Michigan Wolverines football season, and TheWolverine.com is counting down the days until the Sept. 3 opener against Colorado State. We’ll discuss the current Michigan events, upcoming season and/or take a look at a significant number that correlates with how many days remain until kickoff, whether it be a player’s jersey number, a year, a date, a score, etc.
Michigan football finds itself 83 days away from the 2022 campaign, which brings us to the man who currently holds the number. Senior tight end Erick All is set to be one of the key contributors on an offense that set a good baseline in 2021 but could be even more balanced this season.
All hauled in a career-high 38 catches for 437 yards and two touchdowns last season. He fought through drops and inconsistent play early in his career to round into a key player.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh is a fan of both he and fifth-year tight end Luke Schoonmaker. So much so that he believes they could be the best one-two tight end punch in the country.
“I love Erick All. I love Luke Schoonmaker,” Harbaugh said this spring. “Both of those guys … you can have Erick All competing with Luke Schoonmaker to be the top tight end in the country. You can have Luke Schoonmaker competing with Erick All to be the top tight end in the country.
“That’s the kind of players I think they are. We had a tough, good spring ball. Not one guy on the roster was looking to duck out or get out. Certainly, not either of those two gentlemen.”
The light coming on for All was a huge development for Michigan. He is tenacious and ferocious as a run blocker and became more sure-handed as the season went on. On a team full of playmakers on offense, he has a real shot to be one of the most productive pass catchers on the roster. Schoonmaker will continue to fill his role and step up when called upon. Look for him to improve on his 17 catches from a season ago.
23 of All’s receptions last year came in four games (five vs. Northwestern, 10 at Michigan State, four at Penn State, four vs. Georgia), so consistency could be key for the Michigan tight end. He does have a knack for the big play, though. His 47-yard touchdown at Penn State arguably defined the entire season.
A return to an emphasis on the tight end position is just what the doctor ordered for this offense. Michigan should have a deep and talented bevy of pass catchers this year. The safety valves making plays over the middle of the field can open things up for everyone else.
All is well with the tight end room.
Michigan football countdown to kickoff
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