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Michigan’s offense is continuing to grow and mature this spring after a season that saw a number of new players make an impact on the field.
One of those breakout players was tight end Sean McKeon, who will be a junior this fall.
McKeon and redshirt junior tight end Zach Gentry both became staples of the U-M offense, with McKeon proving to be a reliable target for whichever quarterback was on the field.
He led the team in receptions (31) and was third on the squad in yards with 301, just six yards shy of senior wide receiver Grant Perry, who led the team in that category. Gentry was second with 303 yards on 17 catches.
With the help of new tight ends coach Sherrone Moore, McKeon and the rest of the tight ends are working extensively on getting off of man coverage. The Michigan defense runs a tough man-to-man defense with its exotic blitzes, which provides the tight ends with ample opportunities to improve on how to get free for catches.
“I like [Moore] a lot,” McKeon said. “He’s a really smart guy. He’s definitely taught us some new things, some tips and tricks, so it’s going really well.”
Moore arrived at U-M after spending time on Central Michigan’s coaching staff.
McKeon says the offense and team in general have been motivated by the poor finish to last season. The offense specially is tired of being the reason the Wolverines can’t reach their ceiling.
“We don’t want to repeat that, we want to get better,” McKeon said. “We’re sick of the defense pushing us around in practice.”
Practices this spring have been a little bit chippier than normal, McKeon said, but not overly so. The offense is getting better push off the ball. He added that the coaching staff makes sure nothing gets out of hand, and that any player that does something that would warrant a personal foul penalty in a game gets removed from practice.
The big change is in the offensive line. He says they look bigger and are challenging the defensive line much more than last year.
“They look big, strong, getting more protection in the passing game,” McKeon said. “They’re doing a great job.
“I feel like we’ve really come together as a team and as a unit. Last year really motivates us to be better this year.”
More Notes:
• McKeon talked briefly about Gentry, and how he’s improved since switching to tight end a few years ago.
“It really started in the running game,” McKeon said. “When he switched over my freshman year, he couldn’t block anyone. But now, he’s bulked up, he’s moving people off the ball, so that’s been the biggest improvement for him.”
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