Michigan football tight end Luke Schoonmaker returning in 2022
The Michigan tight end group proved to be one of the most improved positions on the team in 2021, led by Erick All and Luke Schoonmaker. It figures to be a team strength again in 2022 with the return of those two big pieces.
Junior Erick All announced after the Orange Bowl loss to Georgia that he’d be back for one last season. Today, Luke Schoonmaker announced he’d join him to form what should be one of the better tandems in the Big Ten.
“Backstreet’s back ALRIGHT!” he posted on Instagram. “Let’s run it back boys!”
Schoonmaker will return for a fifth year after an honorable mention All-Big Ten campaign (media and coaches). He has started eight of the 31 games in which he’s appeared, this year providing his biggest opportunity. He hauled in 17 receptions for 165 yards and three touchdowns. That included a key, 27-yarder against Iowa in the Big Ten title game that set up a score.
Schoonmaker thanked offensive coordinator Josh Gattis for the increased tight end role in 2021. He earned the award for Most Improved Player on offense this year during U-M’s Dec. 19 awards ceremony, an event held at the Michigan Stadium Jack Roth Stadium Club, and figures to have an even bigger role next year.
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“I think we’ve just been able to grow our room so much,” he said before the Orange Bowl. “Obviously, we’re just guys that … we can do so much, and Coach Gattis has done a great job with getting us all involved with so many ways to attack defenses.
“It’s been a pleasure to play for him, and we just accept anything he asks us to do. So … it’s been fun.”
Tight ends coach Jay Harbaugh did a great job with the group this year, as well as coordinating special teams. Schoonmaker’s return should make his unit a strength again in 2022.
