Devin Funchess

Devin Funchess

refer to caption

Funchess at Michigan Stadium, October 2012
No. 17 Carolina Panthers
Position: Wide receiver
Personal information
Date of birth: (1994-05-21) May 21, 1994
Place of birth: Farmington Hills, Michigan
Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight: 225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school: Farmington Hills (MI) Harrison
College: Michigan
NFL Draft: 2015 / Round: 2 / Pick: 41
Career history
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 11, 2016
Receptions: 47
Receiving yards: 739
Receiving touchdowns: 8
Player stats at NFL.com

Devin Funchess (born May 21, 1994) is an American football wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Michigan.

High school career

Funchess attended Harrison High School in Farmington Hills, where he was a three-sport athlete in football, basketball and track. As a junior in 2010, he caught 34 passes for 709 yards and five touchdowns, leading his team to the Michigan Division II state championship.[1][2] As a senior in 2011, he was named to the Detroit News Blue Chip List after tallying 21 receptions for 452 yards and five touchdowns on offense, while also recording three sacks, one forced fumble, one interception and three pass break-ups on defense.[3] In track & field, Funchess competed as a long jumper, recording a personal-best leap of 5.53 meters (18 ft, 1.5 in) at the 2011 Oakland County Championships, where he placed 25th.[4]

Considered a four-star recruit by ESPN.com, Funchess was listed as the No. 5 tight end in the nation in 2012.[5]

Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Devin Funchess
TE		 Farmington Hills, MI Harrison HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Apr 22, 2011 
Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 8 (TE)   Rivals: 14 (TE)  247Sports: 10 (TE)  ESPN: 5 (TE)
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

College career

Funchess committed to the University of Michigan in 2011, becoming one of the top prospects in Michigan's 2012 recruiting class.[6]

2012 season

Funchess saw extensive playing time as a freshman for the 2012 Michigan football team.[7] After Brandon Moore sustained a knee injury, Funchess became the team's leading tight end and was described in October 2012 as "one of Michigan's biggest early-season revelations."[8] In the second game of the season, and Funchess' first as a starter, he had 106 receiving yards and a touchdown against Air Force.[9][10][11][12] He became the first Michigan tight end with 100 receiving yards in a game in 15 years; Jerame Tuman accomplished the feat in 1997.[13] Funchess was named the Big Ten Conference Freshman of the Week for his performance against Air Force.[14][15] Against UMass the following week, he caught two passes for 34 yards and scored his second career touchdown at Michigan.[16][17]

He scored his third touchdown pass on October 13, 2012, in a 45-0 victory over Illinois.[18] On November 10, 2012, he scored in the fourth quarter on an eight-yard pass from Devin Gardner to give Michigan a 28–24 lead over Northwestern.[19] In the final home game of the season, a 42–17 victory over Iowa, Funchess scored his fifth touchdown on a 29-yard pass from Gardner.[20]

Funchess was a 2012 All-Big Ten honorable mention selection by the media.[21][22] He was also named to the Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-America Team.[23]

2013 season

As a sophomore for the 2013 Michigan team, Funchess became the Wolverines' second leading receiver behind Jeremy Gallon. On October 5, 2013, he caught seven passes for 151 yards against Minnesota. He had a 46-yard reception against the Golden Gophers, and his total of 151 yards was also a career high.[24][25] After the Minnesota game, head coach Brady Hoke said: "We wanted to get him out on the perimeter a little bit, mismatch in a lot of ways. He runs awful well and is a big target. We're just trying to really take advantage of his skill set."[26] In an overtime loss to Penn State on October 12, 2013, Funchess caught four passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns, including a career-long 59-yard touchdown reception.[27] Through the first six games of the season, Funchess had 19 catches for 408 yards and four touchdowns. His average of 21.5 yards per catch was the highest in the Big Ten Conference.[28]

After the 2013 season Funchess was named as Big Ten's Tight End of the year.[29]

2014 season

On August 30, 2014, Funchess played his first game as a wide receiver for the Wolverines. Funchess also changed his number from No. 87 to No. 1; he is the first receiver to wear No. 1 since Braylon Edwards in 2004.[30] Funchess tallied seven receptions for 95 yards and a career high three touchdowns in the season opener against Appalachian State.[31] On December 9, 2014, Funchess announced that he would foregoing his remaining eligibility and declared for the 2015 NFL Draft.[32]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Ht WtArm lengthHand size 40-yd dash 10-yd split 20-yd split 20-ss 3-cone Vert Broad BP
6 ft 4¼ in 232 lb33½ in9¾ in 4.50 s 1.57 s 2.60 s 4.48 s 6.98 s 40½ in 10 ft 2 in 17 reps
All values from NFL Combine and Pro Day[33]

Funchess was drafted 41st overall by the Carolina Panthers in the 2015 NFL Draft.[34]

2015 season

On August 14, 2015, Funchess made his preseason debut for the Panthers against the Buffalo Bills. Funchess' first catch was a 34-yarder where he tightroped the sideline on a pass from Derek Anderson. Funchess had one more catch, and finished the night with 53 yards total. When the Panther's primary receiver, Kelvin Benjamin suffered a torn ACL in training camp, Carolina looked for Funchess to help fill that loss and emerge as a consistent target for Cam Newton.[35]

Funchess had his breakout game during Week 9 against the Green Bay Packers; Funchess made 3 catches for 71 yards and a key touchdown to help the Panthers earn their first 8-0 start in franchise history.[36] The following week, Funchess caught both of his targets for a total of 41 yards during the Panthers 27-10 victory over the Tennessee Titans.[37] The following week, Funchess made his first NFL start against the Washington Redskins and responded with 4 receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown during the Panthers 44-16 victory.[38] During the Panthers 41-38 victory over the New Orleans Saints, Funchess recorded a key 13 yard touchdown reception.[39] During the Panthers 38-35 victory over the New York Giants to move them to 14-0, Funchess recorded a key touchdown reception against cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.[40] Against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the regular season finale, Funchess set career bests with 7 receptions and 120 yards. The yardage is the second-most by Panthers’ rookie (David Gettis, 125, vs SF on 10/24/10).[41] Funchess finished the regular season with 31 catches for 473 yards, the fifth most in franchise history for a rookie receiver; his five touchdown catches were second most for a rookie.[42] In Funchess rookie season, The Panthers reached Super Bowl 50, but lost 24-10 to the Denver Broncos. Funchess had 2 catches for 40 yards in the loss.

References

  1. ↑ Tom Markowski (January 23, 2012). "Blue Chip profiles: Harrison WR Devin Funchess says coaching in future". The Detroit News.
  2. ↑ Tom Markowski (August 24, 2011). "Farmington Hills Harrison could have its best football team ever". The Detroit News.
  3. ↑ http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/devin_funchess_810569.html
  4. ↑ http://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/MeetResults.aspx?Meet=118336#13126
  5. ↑ Devin Funchess Recruiting Profile
  6. ↑ Tom VanHaaren (September 20, 2011). "TE prospect groomed for success: With skillful hands, and needing only to bulk up, Funchess should see early time". ESPN.com.
  7. ↑ Mark Snyder and Joe Rexrode (October 19, 2012). "Longtime friends Devin Funchess and Aaron Burbridge are now temporary enemies: Harrison teammates play for U-M, MSU". Detroit Free Press.
  8. ↑ Kyle Meinke (October 25, 2012). "Michigan TE Devin Funchess dealing with increased defensive pressure after fast start". Mlive.com.
  9. ↑ Larry Lage (September 9, 2012). "Michigan Leaning on a Lot of Freshmen". Associated Press.
  10. ↑ Luke Pasich (September 8, 2012). "Funchess emerges as big-play target". The Michigan Daily.
  11. ↑ Nick Baumgardner (September 11, 2012). "Michigan players react to freshman Devin Funchess' historic breakout performance at tight end". Mlive.com.
  12. ↑ Chantel Jennings (September 11, 2012). "Freshman TE shines: Breakout game comes as no surprise to followers of Funchess". ESPN.com.
  13. ↑ Kyle Meinke (September 9, 2012). "Freshman Devin Funchess posts best receiving day for Michigan tight end since 1997". Mlive.com.
  14. ↑ "Michigan's Devin Funchess, Denard Robinson earn Big Ten honors". The Detroit News. September 10, 2012.
  15. ↑ Nick Baumgardner (September 10, 2012). "Michigan's Denard Robinson, Devin Funchess pick up Big Ten weekly honors". Mlive.com.
  16. ↑ Kyle Meinke (October 12, 2012). "Michigan's Devin Funchess so impressive, he needs only 1 hand to thrill". Mlive.com.
  17. ↑ Angelique Chengelis (September 18, 2012). "Michigan's receiving corps a surprising strength". The Detroit News.
  18. ↑ Stephen J. Nesbitt (October 13, 2012). "Michigan thrashes Fighting Illini, 45-0, at Michigan Stadium". The Michigan Daily.
  19. ↑ Bob Wojnowski (November 10, 2012). "Devin Gardner's emergence keeps Michigan in Big Ten hunt". The Detroit News.
  20. ↑ Michigan-Iowa box score
  21. ↑ "Lewan, Hagerup Win Top Position Awards at Big Ten Banquet". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. November 26, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  22. ↑ "Big Ten Announces 2012 All-Big Ten Teams and Select Individual Award Winners". BigTen.org. CBS Interactive. November 26, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  23. ↑ "Devin Funchess Bio". Mgoblue.com. CBS Sports.
  24. ↑ "Michigan TE Devin Funchess becomes popular target for Devin Gardner". Detroit Free Press. October 6, 2013.
  25. ↑ Nick Baumgardner (October 6, 2013). "Devin Funchess explodes as No. 19 Michigan eases by Minnesota, 42-13". Mlive.com.
  26. ↑ "Michigan's Devin Funchess turns into target too big to miss". The Detroit News. October 6, 2013.
  27. ↑ "Michigan 40, Penn St 43". ESPN.com.
  28. ↑ "Michigan Football Statistics (6-game Totals)". Mgoblue.com. CBS Sports. October 12, 2013.
  29. ↑ "Who won 2013 Big Ten individual awards?". www.btn.com. Big Ten Network. December 3, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
  30. ↑ Baumgardner, Nick (August 30, 2014). "Michigan WR Devin Funchess will wear the No. 1 jersey this season". MLive. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
  31. ↑ Huguenin, Mike (August 30, 2014). "Michigan's Devin Funchess scores 3 TDs in season opener". NFL. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
  32. ↑ Michigan WR/TE Devin Funchess declares for 2015 NFL Draft
  33. ↑ http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=123054&draftyear=2015&genpos=WR
  34. ↑ Strickland, Bryan (May 1, 2015). "Panthers trade up, draft WR Funchess in second round". Carolina Panthers. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
  35. ↑ http://www.sbnation.com/fantasy/2015/8/27/9215507/devin-funchess-fantasy-football-carolina-panthers
  36. ↑ https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/green-bay-packers-carolina-panthers-20151108029/
  37. ↑ http://blackandbluereview.com/panthers-at-titans-stats-and-superlatives/
  38. ↑ http://espn.go.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=400791707
  39. ↑ https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/carolina-panthers-new-orleans-saints-20151206018/
  40. ↑ http://blackandbluereview.com/stats-and-superlatives-panthers-giants/2/#
  41. ↑ http://blackandbluereview.com/stats-and-superlatives-bucs-at-panthers-week-17/
  42. ↑ http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2016/02/after_hearing_people_call_him.html
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