Michigan TE Schoonmaker to enter NFL draft

8:45 AM ET Pete ThamelESPN Michigan’s Luke Schoonmaker, one of the leading tight ends in college football, informed

ESPN that he’s leaving school to declare for the 2023 NFL draft.Schoonmaker is a fifth-year senior with one year of eligibility staying. Multiple NFL scouts

told ESPN that he projects as a second-round choice, as his ability to have a strong influence on both the run game and impersonate a pass-catching threat make him attractive to NFL groups.”Coach [Jim] Harbaugh and a great deal of the offensive coaches have actually provided me the confidence that I’m

all set for the next level, and I have actually become a complete tight end,”Schoonmaker informed ESPN.”I’m at that point where I can now begin the process for the next level. With that guidance and the assistance of others, it’s that time. ” At 6-foot-6, 250 pounds, Schoonmaker captured 35 balls this year for 418 lawns and 3 touchdowns. Opposing coaches credited his role as basically a sixth offensive linemen for Michigan, which won the Joe Moore Award for the second straight year as the country’s top offensive line.Schoonmaker stated he takes a lot of pride in both elements of the game, and he’s appreciative of his secondary function in Michigan’s dominant offensive line identity. Michigan offensive line coach

and co-offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore moved over from tight ends coach 2 seasons ago, which added to the balance of Schoonmaker’s function.”I believe I need to give a great deal of credit to Coach Moore and Coach [Grant] Newsome, my tight ends coach, “Schoonmaker said.” Everybody that really established me.

I believe they just set a requirement for the offending line space and tight end room– being selfless and having fun with and for each other and playing blue collar. “Schoonmaker showed a vexing matchup for the opposition since of his dual-threat ability. One veteran opposing coach called him among the very best tight ends he ‘d faced in his whole coaching profession.”He can out-athlete a linebacker, out-physical safeties or defensive backs,”stated the coach. “He can operate in the run game as well. A great deal of men are’either or ‘in terms of the pass game and run game.

The best are the men that can do both.” That duality will help Schoonmaker stand apart in what promises to be a crammed tight end draft class. He stated he is delighted to take on a class that’s slated to include Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer, Oregon State’s Luke Musgrave, Utah’s Dalton Kincaid and Georgia’s Darnell Washington.Schoonmaker had actually been troubled late in the season by a sprained right shoulder, but he stated that injury will recover soon with rest, and he’ll be full-go for the NFL combine and his professional day.”These next few months are the most interesting for me,”Schoonmaker stated.”It’s an opportunity for everyone to be created and run versus each other and do various things versus each other. It’s a chance for me to showcase what I can do. I’m really excited for that.”Schoonmaker stated his ability to be a strong blocker

and dynamic downfield pass-catcher is something that can potentially separate him in the draft procedure. He stated he enjoys both studying defenses for holes and defenders for propensities, likewise with mastering the obstructing elements of the position. “Just something that I take terrific pride in is trying to improve in both elements all the time and developing those each and every day, “he stated. “They’re both substantial elements to the position. From what I’ve been told from many people, it’s unusual to integrate that. If I can continue to be that person to excel at both, it can just be to my advantage.

“Schoonmaker expressed his gratitude for his time at Michigan, as the Wolverines went to the College Football Playoff in back-to-back seasons. They completed with a 25-3 record over the past 2 years.” Truthfully, going to Michigan was the best experience I have actually ever had,” he stated. “I was part of an amazing household that’s grown in my 5 years being there. I

‘ve satisfied tremendous coaches and players who feel like papas and bros far from home that I’m going to have for the rest of my life.”