After a tremendous career that spanned two head coaches and much turmoil, Michigan Wolverines tight end Jake Butt played in his last college football game on Friday. The senior from Pickerington, Ohio caught three passes for 28 yards in Michigan's hard-fought loss to Florida State and was one of the more effective weapons for the Wolverines. Unfortunately, Butt left the game early with a knee injury and, now, we know the extent of the ailment.
This is, of course, brutal news for a player with NFL Draft aspirations and the timing couldn't be worse. Butt is projected by many to be a first or second round selection and there is a good possibility that this type of long-term injury could cost him significantly in terms of draft position. Fortunately, it appears that Butt did take out an insurance policy that could help to make him whole financially should his stock drop.
The debate as to whether top-tier college players should participate in bowl games at the risk of injury rolls on and Jake Butt is now a face for those who argue for early defection. It remains to be seen how much his draft stock will be affected but, at the very least, it is safe to assume his presence on the field in the Orange Bowl did more harm than good.
