The 2023 NFL Draft tight end class is full of talent from top to bottom, including Michigan TE Luke Schoonmaker. While most of the conversation has been focused on the top names in the class, what does Schoonmaker’s scouting report suggest about his NFL draft stock?
Luke Schoonmaker NFL Draft Profile
- Position: TE
- School: Michigan
- Year: Fifth-Year Senior
A three-star recruit coming out of high school, Schoonmaker was the No. 35 tight end of his class and the No. 3 overall player in Connecticut. While attending Hamden Country Day School, Schoonmaker’s versatility was apparent as he played quarterback, wide receiver, corner, and tight end during his senior year. Additionally, his size (6’2″ and 220 at the time) made him a natural fit on the baseball field as both a pitcher and a first baseman.
At 6’6 “, 250 pounds, Schoonmaker caught 35 of his targets during his 2022 season for 418 yards and three touchdowns. While never someone to put up the higher stats due to the offense’s scheme, Schoonmaker’s impact was evident to not only coaches and teammates but also opponents.
Schoonmaker was named the Most Improved Offensive Player in 2021 and was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection by the coaches and media. Then in 2022, as a fifth-year senior, Schoonmaker was a third-team All-Big Ten selection after making 11 starts and appearing in 12 games for the Maize and Blue.
Schoonmaker was not only a reliable receiver but was also credited by opposing coaches for his role as essentially a sixth offensive lineman for Michigan, which won the Joe Moore Award for the second straight year as the nation’s top offensive line, becoming the first school to do so.
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The duality of Schoonmaker, as both a plus-blocker with his hand in the dirt or as someone who can out-athlete linebackers, could make him one of the more underrated players of this class.
It’s also something Schoonmaker himself takes great pride in bringing to the field.
“Just something that I take great pride in is trying to get better in both aspects all the time and developing those each and every day,” he said. “They’re both huge components to the position. From what I’ve been told from many people, it’s rare to combine that. If I can continue to be that person to excel at both, it can only be to my benefit.”
While his next step is the NFL, Schoonmaker will always have an appreciation for his time at Michigan and what the Wolverines were able to accomplish over the last two years with a 25-3 record and back-to-back appearances in the College Football Playoff.
“Honestly, going to Michigan was the greatest experience I’ve ever had,” he said. “I was part of an amazing family that’s grown in my five years being there. I’ve met tremendous coaches and players who feel like dads and brothers away from home that I’m going to have for the rest of my life.”
Tony Pauline’s Scouting Report for Luke Schoonmaker
Strengths: Tall, fluid tight end with natural receiving skills. Fundamentally sound as a blocker, bends his knees, and gets leverage on opponents. Quickly releases off the line into pass routes, runs relatively sharp routes for a big tight end, and adjusts to grab the errant throw from the air.
Follows the QB across the field to make himself an available target, adjusts to the errant throw, and makes several athletic receptions. Extends his hands to offer the quarterback a target and makes the reception away from his frame. Effective blocking on the second level and seals opponents from the action.
Weaknesses: Doesn’t show great downfield speed and isn’t a true deep threat. Must improve his route-running balance and do a better job positioning himself out of routes. Has a linear build and may struggle against physical linebackers at the next level.
Overall: Schoonmaker was highly rated coming into the season and did a good job last year despite playing through an injury. He’s not the exceptional downfield threat teams want at tight end these days, but he does everything very well and comes with an upside.
Luke Schoonmaker Combine Measurements And Results:
- Height: 6’5″
- Weight: 251
- Wingspan: 78 1/8″
- Arm Length: 32 7/8″
- Hand Size: 9″
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.63s
- Shuttle: 4.27s
- Vertical: 33 1/2″
- Broad: 10’7″
Michigan TE Luke Schoonmaker Current Draft Projection
The 2023 tight end class is one of the deeper parts of the entire draft. It’s coming at a perfect time as well as while the league finds ways to get the position more involved, there is an overall need for talent.
Currently the No. 79 overall ranked player on Tony Pauline’s Big Board, Schoonmaker is the TE6 of this class and carries a current draft projection of a mid-third-round pick with a 3.75 draft grade.
For context, Pauline has Michael Mayer (25), Luke Musgrave (31), and Tucker Kraft (33) projected to be either first or fringe first-round picks, followed by Sam LaPorta (38), then a slight gap to Dalton Kincaid (55), Schoonmaker, and Darnell Washington (111).