The Michigan Wolverines may have strong depth at the tight end position, but they lost one of the bunch today, as Tyrone Wheatley Jr. informed the staff he is leaving the program.
The Michigan Insider has learned that TE Tyrone Wheatley Jr. is no longer with the #Michigan program. @TremendousUM with a story forthcoming.
— Josh Henschke (@JoshHenschke) August 3, 2018
Henschke was the first to report the news and shortly after an abundance of outlets confirmed his report.
Confirmed that TE Tyrone Wheatley Jr. has decided to leave Michigan. Wheatley Jr. is the son of former Michigan running back and former coach, Tyrone Wheatley. Michigan spokesman said it was Wheatley Jr.'s decision and informed the staff today.
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) August 3, 2018
It sounds like this was Wheatley’s decision and this departure won’t impact Michigan’s offense much at all.
While Wheatley was used mostly as a blocking tight end, he never really got it going as a pass catcher, hauling in just six receptions and one touchdown during his Michigan career.
In our Victors Valiant Podcast tight end preview a couple weeks back I said that I didn’t think Wheatley would see the field except in goal-line sets and jumbo formations.
The overall outlook for the position is bright and could do some serious damage with Zach Gentry, Sean McKeon, Nick Eubanks, and Mustapha Muhammad all in the mix for snaps of varying degrees. Wheatley Jr. very easily could have slipped to fourth or fifth on the depth chart in 2018.
Wheatley Jr. is the son of former Michigan coach and standout player Tyrone Wheatley Sr.