86 days until Michigan football: Saluting the clutch play of Luke Schoonmaker
There’s much anticipation heading into the Michigan Wolverines football season, and TheWolverine.com is counting down the days until the Sept. 2 opener against East Carolina. We’ll discuss current Michigan events, the 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.
With 86 days to go until Michigan football kicks off its 2023 campaign, we cannot help but think of a player that will not be around this season. Luke Schoonmaker was a saving grace for the Michigan offense last year. Luckily, the baton has been passed down to Colston Loveland, AJ Barner and company to keep things rolling. But without “Schoony,” things could have looked very different last season.
Schoonmaker appeared in 12 games with 11 starts last season, catching 35 passes for 418 yards and three touchdowns. He entered the season with 19 career receptions over four seasons, and was thought of as the second option in the tight end room behind Erick All. All suffered a back injury early in the season he never came back from, leaving Schoonmaker to lead a group that, outside of Loveland as a true freshman, had very little experience catching the football.
Schoonmaker did not put up gaudy numbers by any stretch of the imagination, but an expanded role meant that he was going to have to be a safety valve for young quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Not only was he that, but he made plays in some critical moments, too.
Schoonmaker had a career day against Maryland in Week 4, grabbing 7 receptions for 72 yards. He had a career-high 9 catches for 67 yards and a touchdown in a 31-10 win at Indiana last October in a game where the offense needed an emotional lift after watching running backs coach Mike Hart collapse on the field. McCarthy and Schoonmaker linked up often in the contest, helping the offense score 21-straight points after being tied 10-10 at the half. He also led the team in receiving with 5 catches for 70 yards against Michigan State.
His most clutch play of the season came on a 15-yard reception on a pop-pass third-down call against Ohio State on a throw that came off the hands of running back/linebacker Kalel Mullings. Up 24-20, the play set up a touchdown drive that helped Michigan take a 31-20 lead over the Buckeyes early in the fourth quarter.
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The 6-foot-6, 250 pounds tight end may not have had elite production, but his frame, willingness to block and receiving ability was an asset in the eyes of NFL Draft evaluators. The Dallas Cowboys were sold, selecting him in the second round at pick No. 58 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Schoonmaker is expected to compete for a starting job while his Michigan teammate, defensive tackle Mazi Smith does the same on the other side of the ball in Dallas.
There is little doubt that Loveland, Barner and the rest have a chance to have some big moments of their own this season. One can only hope in one of those “gotta have it” situations, Michigan will have as reliable a target as Schoonmaker.
Michigan football countdown to kickoff
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