Falcons Meet Michigan TE Luke Schoonmaker; EXCLUSIVE Draft Interview
Through four years at the University of Michigan, tight end Luke Schoonmaker caught only 19 passes.
The Hamden, Connecticut native easily could've left, gone somewhere else - but he stuck it out ... and just over a year later, watched as it all paid off.
As a redshirt senior, Schoonmaker nearly doubled his production, posting 35 receptions for 418 yards and three touchdowns while earning All-Big Ten honors.
During Michigan's pro day, Schoonmaker was seen talking with several NFL tight ends coaches - including Justin Peelle of the Atlanta Falcons, per Pro Football Network.
But over a month and a half earlier, Schoonmaker was sitting in Las Vegas during the East-West Shrine Bowl, speaking one-on-one with Sports Illustrated's Falcon Report about the draft process, his Michigan career and more.
Peelle met Schoonmaker - and now you can, too.
As a high schooler at Hamden Hall, Schoonmaker did a little bit of everything on the gridiron - including playing cornerback despite being 6-6, 225 pounds.
Offensively, he saw action at quarterback, receiver and tight end and was ultimately named a top-three player in Connecticut by many outlets.
Away from football, Schoonmaker was active on the baseball diamond, making his way through recruiting circuits as a pitcher and first baseman.
His father, Scott, played college basketball at Assumption College and later professionally in Brazil, while younger brother Jack played college football at Saint Anselm and is now set for a career in the Marines.
Now, Luke looks to follow in his father's footsteps as a professional athlete - and his breakout 2022 season has left teams wondering when, not if, Schoonmaker will be selected in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Sources confirm to Falcon Report at SI that Schoonmaker has some first-round grades around the league but is likely to be drafted in the range of late second round to early fourth round.
Regardless, Schoonmaker said he's "really excited" to even be in the situation but stressed that he's not getting too high or too low and is more focused continuing his ascension.
But what was the key to sudden success?
Schoonmaker cited knowing he was "stepping into a bigger role" as the reason for his statistical breakout in 2022, with his reliability enabling him to become "someone that the team depends on in big time situations."
Upon arriving in 2018, there were several future professional tight ends on Michigan's roster, including Zach Gentry (Pittsburgh Steelers), Sean McKeon (Dallas Cowboys) and Nick Eubanks (most recently with the Houston Texans).
In essence, Schoonmaker's lack of production was more a result of other talent ahead of him than anything he was doing wrong - but even after the 2021 season, he wasn't atop the depth chart.
That honor belonged to Erick All, who garnered most of the preseason attention and accolades ... but suffered a back injury in the third game and missed the rest of the season, later transferring to Iowa.
It was an unfortunate turn of events for All and the Wolverines - but Schoonmaker seized the moment and capitalized on the opportunity.
And in his last act, Schoonmaker showed everyone in Ann Arbor who he is ... and is now trying to sell his "personality" to NFL teams.
The pitch? Simple.
"They're going to be getting someone that really just cares so much about the team," Schoonmaker said. "You're going to get somebody that is willing to do whatever it takes - whatever I'm asked, I'm going to do it, as hard as I can.
"I'll be someone that a team can rely on and make great relationships with my teammates and coaches and bring wins to that team."
When reflecting back on his time at Michigan, it's these "relationships" and memories that truly stand out to Schoonmaker.
A number of professional athletes have rolled through the Wolverines' locker room within the past five years, but the on-field progress means more to the 24-year-old than perhaps anything else.
During Schoonmaker's freshman year, Michigan went 10-3 - including a blowout home loss to rival Ohio State in a do-or-die regular season finale.
The year after, the Wolverines went 9-4 ... with another loss to the Buckeyes. In 2020, Michigan trudged through the COVID-plagued season with a 2-4 record and didn't play Ohio State due to pandemic-related issues.
Factor in the lack of production and Schoonmaker's first three years largely hadn't gone as he had hoped - but in his third go-round in "The Game," things changed.
Michigan took a program-changing victory over Ohio State, its first in over a decade, and clinched the Big Ten East title, subsequently making it the College Football Playoffs for the first time in program history.
The Wolverines did the same thing again in 2022 - but nothing meant as much to Schoonmaker as the experiences made during the breakthrough win in 2021.
"I broke down at the end of the game," Schoonmaker said.
That win was the highlight of Schoonmaker's career - followed by the back-to-back conference championships and College Football Playoff trips.
And really, perhaps nothing depicts Schoonmaker more than that idea.
In the victory over Ohio State, he had two catches for 15 yards and helped block for running back Hassan Haskins en route to five rushing touchdowns.
But it wasn't about the individual numbers or accolades - it never was. Instead, it's about the team - leaving Schoonmaker's Michigan legacy clear in his eyes.
"I think it was someone that the team relied on," said Schoonmaker. "Someone that stepped up in big games and could play really well consistently. Just reliable on the third downs, in the red zone, and I only hope that I left an impact of being a great teammate, that I was coachable, and I left a great legacy of helping the team, bringing that greatness back to Michigan."
Still standing 6-6 but at 250 pounds, Schoonmaker's physical development is as evident as the progress made in his production.
He's highly thought of in league circles, and while a strong tight end class may push him down the board, is poised to see considerable playing time as a rookie.
During Pro Day season, teams often send their assistants on the road, but they don't go everywhere - and Peelle making a stop in Ann Arbor is certainly noteworthy as it relates to Atlanta's draft interest.
The Falcons appear set at tight end with 2021 No. 4 overall pick Kyle Pitts, recently acquired complimentary asset Jonnu Smith and oft-praised blocker Parker Hesse, but coach Arthur Smith loves the position ... and Schoonmaker's well-rounded skill set may have caught his eye.
But ultimately, no matter when or where he's chosen, Schoonmaker just wants to win and get better - and his past shows he's more than capable of doing exactly that.
You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft
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