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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan doesn’t have a ton of upperclassmen that are for sure departing for the NFL, save for the seniors who have exhausted their eligibility. Thus far, the only player eligible to return for another season who has announced their intentions to leave after the VRBO Citrus Bowl against Alabama is SAM linebacker Josh Uche, but assuredly others will follow suit.
With most eyes on receivers Nico Collins and Donovan Peoples-Jones, players who have not yet announced their intentions for 2020, there’s another player who’s weighing his options, and isn’t sure yet if he’ll be a Wolverine next year, or if he’ll try his hands in the NFL.
“I haven’t decided yet, but you know – there’s a chance,” fourth-year tight end Nick Eubanks said. “Personally I wouldn’t have a problem coming back next year, in terms of just trying to get better as an athlete, being able to work on my craft next year, if I do decide to come back. It’s been a decision so far and I haven’t made it yet.”
So what options is Eubanks weighing?
He’s isn’t quick to divulge, but notes a few pros and cons to remaining in Ann Arbor. While he’s fine with the school aspect, balancing that with football is a challenge in and of itself, but he does feel like he could benefit from another year with the coaching staff.
“Just thinking about everything I went through this year,” Eubanks said. “That’s basically been it. Especially school. School hasn’t been a problem, but just being able to come back here and go through the practices – that’s basically been it. And with the coaches, too, as well. Probably (would like) to get another year with Sherrone (Moore, Michigan’s tight ends coach).”
As of current, Eubanks hasn’t submitted his name to the NFL Draft advisory board to get a grade, something he says he intends to do soon, which will help inform his decision.
One place that Eubanks wants to improve — whether it be just in short order for this upcoming game against the Crimson Tide, or if he’s to return in 2020 — is his blocking.
That’s been a point of emphasis for him this year, and while he feels like he’s improved, he also feels like he could be better at it.
“I took it to a better level,” Eubanks said. “It could be great, but it’s kinda mediocre. Other than that, it’s gotten way better than it was freshman year.”
For now, Eubanks has another game to suit up in the maize and blue: the VRBO Citrus Bowl against Alabama, which kicks off at 1PM EST on Jan. 1 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.