Devin Funchess: Difference between revisions

{{Short description|American footballbasketball player (born 1994)}}

| name = Devin Funchess

| image = Devin Funchess (44604030504).jpg

| image_size =
| alt =

| altcaption = Funchess with the Carolina Panthers in = 2018

| current_team number = 17

| numberposition = [[Wide receiver]], [[tight = 17end]]

| height_ft height_in = 64

| height_in weight_lbs = 4225

| high_school college = [[HarrisonMichigan HighWolverines School (football|Michigan)|Harrison]]<br> ([[Farmington Hills, Michigan]]2012–2014)

| draftyear draftround = 20152

| draftround draftpick = 241

| draftpick pastteams = 41

| highlights =

| statvalue3pfr = 21F/FuncDe00

'''Devin Akeem Funchess''' (born May 21, 1994) is an American former [[American football|football]] [[wide receiver]] and [[professional basketball]] player who last played for the [[Caribbean Storm Islands]] of the [[Baloncesto Profesional Colombiano]]. He played [[college football]] for the [[Michigan Wolverines football|Michigan Wolverines]] as a [[tight end]], and was selected by the [[Carolina Panthers]] in the second round of the [[2015 NFL Draftdraft]]. He was also a member of the [[Indianapolis Colts]], [[Green Bay Packers]], [[San Francisco 49ers]] and [[Detroit Lions]].

==Early yearslife==

Devin Akeem Funchess<ref>{{Cite web |title=Devin Funchess Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FuncDe00.htm |access-date=November 19, 2022 |website=[[Pro- Football- Reference.com]] |language=en}}</ref> attended [[Harrison High School (Michigan)|Harrison High School]] in [[Farmington Hills, Michigan|Farmington Hills]], where he was a three-sport athlete in [[high school football|football]], [[high school basketball|basketball]] and [[track and field|track]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 2, 2015 |title=Panthers select Harrison's Funchess in NFL draft |url=https://usatodayhss.com/2015/panthers-select-harrisons-funchess-in-nfl-draft |access-date=December 11, 2018 |website=USA TODAY High School Sports}}</ref> As a junior in 2010, he caught 34 passes for 709 yards and five [[touchdowns]], leading his team to the Michigan Division II state championship.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Markowski |first=Tom |date=January 23, 2012 |title=Blue Chip profiles: Harrison WR Devin Funchess says coaching in future |url=http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120123/SPORTS0203/201230338 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130121103954/http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120123/SPORTS0203/201230338 |archive-date=January 21, 2013 |website=The Detroit News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Markowski |first=Tom |date=August 24, 2011 |title=Farmington Hills Harrison could have its best football team ever |url=http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20110824/SPORTS05/108240334/Farmington-Hills-Harrison-could-have-its-best-football-team-ever |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130121192443/http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20110824/SPORTS05/108240334/Farmington-Hills-Harrison-could-have-its-best-football-team-ever |archive-date=January 21, 2013 |website=The Detroit News}}</ref> As a senior in 2011, he was named to the [[Detroit News]] Blue Chip List after tallying 21 [[Reception (gridiron football)|receptions]] for 452 yards and five [[touchdowns]] on offense, while also recording three [[quarterback sack|sacks]], one forced [[fumble]], one [[interception]], and three pass break-ups on defense.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Devin Funchess - Football |url=https://mgoblue.com/sports/football/roster/devin-funchess/1537 |access-date=November 19, 2022 |website=University of Michigan Athletics |language=en}}</ref> In track & field, Funchess competed as a [[long jumper]], recording a personal-best leap of 5.53 meters (18&nbsp;ft, 1.5 in) at the 2011 Oakland County Championships, where he placed 25th.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oakland County Championships – Track & Field Meet |url=http://www.athletic.net:8081/TrackAndField/meet/118336 |website=Athletic.net}}{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Considered a four-star recruit by [[ESPN.com]], Funchess was listed as the fifth-ranked [[tight end]] in the nation in 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Devin Funchess – Football Recruiting – Player Profiles |url=httphttps://espnwww.goespn.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/128058/devin-funchess |access-date=November 19, 2022 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref>

Funchess committed to the [[University of Michigan]] in 2011, becoming one of the top prospects in Michigan's 2012 recruiting class.<ref>{{Cite web |last=VanHaaren |first=Tom |date=September 20, 2011 |title=TE prospect groomed for success: With skillful hands, and needing only to bulk up, Funchess should see early time |url=httphttps://insider.espn.go.com/colleges/michigan/football/recruiting/story/_/id/6937529/devin-funchess-impact-michigan-wolverines-early |access-date=November 19, 2022 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref>

Funchess saw extensive playing time as a freshman for the [[2012 Michigan Wolverines football team|2012 Michigan football team]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Snyder |first=Mark |last2=Rexrode |first2=Joe |date=October 19, 2012 |title=Longtime friends Devin Funchess and Aaron Burbridge are now temporary enemies |url=https://usatodayhss.com/2012/longtime-friends-devin-funchess-and-aaron-burbridge-are-now-temporary-enemies |access-date=November 19, 2022 |website=USA TODAY High School Sports |language=en-US}}</ref> After Brandon Moore sustained a knee injury, Funchess became the team's leading tight end and was described in October 2012 as "one of Michigan's biggest early-season revelations."<ref name="KM">{{Cite web |last=Meinke |first=Kyle |date=October 25, 2012 |title=Michigan TE Devin Funchess dealing with increased defensive pressure after fast start |url=http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2012/10/michigan_te_devin_funchess_dea.html |access-date=November 19, 2022 |website=Mlive.com}}</ref> In the second game of the season, and Funchess' first as a starter, he had 106 receiving yards and a touchdown against [[2012 Air Force Falcons football team|Air Force]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lage |first=Larry |date=September 9, 2012 |title=Michigan Leaning On A Lot Of Freshmen |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/michigan-leaning-on-a-lot-of-freshmen/ |access-date=November 19, 2022 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US |agency=Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pasich |first=Luke |date=September 8, 2012 |title=Funchess emerges as big-play target |url=http://www.michigandaily.com/sports/funchess-emerges-big-play-target |access-date=November 19, 2022 |website=The Michigan Daily}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Baumgardner |first=Nick |date=September 11, 2012 |title=Michigan players react to freshman Devin Funchess' historic breakout performance at tight end |url=http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2012/09/michigan_players_react_to_fres.html |access-date=November 19, 2022 |website=Mlive.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jennings |first=Chantel |date=September 11, 2012 |title=Freshman TE shines: Breakout game comes as no surprise to followers of Funchess |url=httphttps://espnwww.goespn.com/colleges/michigan/story/_/id/8368263/devin-funchess-breaks-michigan-wolverines |access-date=November 19, 2022 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref> He became the first Michigan tight end with 100 receiving yards in a game in 15 years; [[Jerame Tuman]] accomplished the feat in 1997.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Meinke |first=Kyle |date=September 9, 2012 |title=Freshman Devin Funchess posts best receiving day for Michigan tight end since 1997 |url=http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2012/09/freshman_flourishes_devin_func.html |access-date=November 19, 2022 |website=Mlive.com}}</ref> Funchess was named the [[Big Ten Conference]] Freshman of the Week for his performance against Air Force.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schroeder |first=Scott |date=September 10, 2012 |title=Denard Robinson, Devin Funchess Earn Big Ten Honors |url=https://detroit.sbnation.com/michigan-wolverines/2012/9/10/3307909/denard-robinson-devin-funchess-big-ten-honors |access-date=November 19, 2022 |website=SB Nation Detroit |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Baumgardner |first=Nick |date=September 10, 2012 |title=Michigan's Denard Robinson, Devin Funchess pick up Big Ten weekly honors |url=http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2012/09/michigans_denard_robinson_devi.html |access-date=November 19, 2022 |website=Mlive.com}}</ref> Against [[2012 UMass Minutemen football team|UMass]] the following week, he caught two passes for 34 yards and scored his second career touchdown at Michigan.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Meinke |first=Kyle |date=October 12, 2012 |title=Michigan's Devin Funchess so impressive, he needs only 1 hand to thrill |url=http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2012/10/michigans_devin_funchess_so_im.html |access-date=November 19, 2022 |website=Mlive.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Massachusetts at Michigan Box Score, September 15, 2012 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2012-09-15-michigan.html |access-date=November 19, 2022 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

On August 30, 2014, Funchess played his first game as a [[wide receiver]] for the [[Michigan Wolverines football|Wolverines]]. He changed his number from No. 87 to No. 1; he is the first receiver to wear No. 1 since [[Braylon Edwards]] in 2004.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baumgardner |first=Nick |date=August 30, 2014 |title=Michigan WR Devin Funchess will wear the No. 1 jersey this season |url=http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2014/08/michigan_wr_devin_funchess_wil.html |access-date=August 30, 2014 |website=[[MLive]]}}</ref> Funchess tallied seven receptions for 95 yards and a career-high three touchdowns in the season opener against [[2014 Appalachian State Mountaineers football team|Appalachian State]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Huguenin |first=Mike |date=August 30, 2014 |title=Michigan's Devin Funchess scores 3 TDs in season opener |url=httphttps://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000386308/article/michigansmichigan-s-devin-funchess-scores-3-tds-in-season-opener-0ap3000000386308 |access-date=August 30, 2014 |website=[[National Football League]]}}</ref> On December 9, 2014, Funchess announced that he would be forgoing his remaining eligibility and declared for the [[2015 NFL Draftdraft]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fischer |first=Bryan |date=December 9, 214 |title=Michigan WR/TE Devin Funchess declares for 2015 NFL Draft |url=httphttps://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000441405/article/michigan-wrtewr-te-devin-funchess-declares-for-2015-nfl-draft-0ap3000000441405 |access-date=November 19, 2022 |website=National Football League}}</ref>

===CareerCollege statistics===

==Professional football career==

Funchess had a breakout game during Week 9 against the [[Green Bay Packers]]; Funchess made three catches for 71 yards and a key touchdown to help the Panthers earn their first 8–0 start in franchise history.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Green Bay Packers at Carolina Panthers - November 8th, 2015 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201511080car.htm |access-date=November 19, 2022 |website=[[Pro- Football- Reference.com]] |language=en}}</ref> The following week, Funchess caught both of his targets for a total of 41 yards during the Panthers' 27–10 victory over the [[Tennessee Titans]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Voth |first=Bill |date=November 15, 2015 |title=Panthers at Titans: Stats and Superlatives |url=http://blackandbluereview.com/panthers-at-titans-stats-and-superlatives/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129221056/http://blackandbluereview.com/panthers-at-titans-stats-and-superlatives/ |archive-date=January 29, 2016 |access-date=November 16, 2015 |website=Black and Blue Review}}</ref> The following week, Funchess made his first NFL start against the [[Washington Redskins]] and responded with four receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown during the Panthers' 44–16 victory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Washington Redskins at Carolina Panthers - November 22nd, 2015 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201511220car.htm |access-date=November 19, 2022 |website=[[Pro- Football- Reference.com]] |language=en}}</ref> During the Panthers' 41–38 victory over the [[New Orleans Saints]], Funchess recorded a key 13-yard touchdown reception.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints - December 6th, 2015 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201512060nor.htm |access-date=November 19, 2022 |website=[[Pro- Football- Reference.com]] |language=en}}</ref> During the Panthers' 38–35 victory over the [[New York Giants]] to move them to 14–0, Funchess recorded a key touchdown reception against cornerback [[Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Voth |first=Bill |date=December 21, 2015 |title=Stats and Superlatives: Panthers at Giants |url=http://blackandbluereview.com/stats-and-superlatives-panthers-giants/2/# |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129221056/http://blackandbluereview.com/stats-and-superlatives-panthers-giants/2/ |archive-date=January 29, 2016 |access-date=December 23, 2015 |website=Black and Blue Review}}</ref> Against the [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] during the regular season finale, Funchess set career bests with seven receptions and 120 yards. The yardage is the second-most by Panthers' rookie ([[David Gettis]] had 125 yards against the [[San Francisco 49ers]] on October 24, 2010).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Voth |first=Bill |date=January 3, 2016 |title=Stats and Superlatives: Panthers' Historical Regular Season |url=http://blackandbluereview.com/stats-and-superlatives-bucs-at-panthers-week-17/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129093125/http://blackandbluereview.com/stats-and-superlatives-bucs-at-panthers-week-17/ |archive-date=January 29, 2016 |access-date=January 4, 2016 |website=Black and Blue Review}}</ref> Funchess finished the regular season with 31 catches for 473 yards, the fifth most in franchise history for a rookie receiver; his five touchdown catches were second most for a rookie.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Meinke |first=Kyle |date=February 2, 2016 |title=After hearing people call him 'trash,' ex-Michigan star Devin Funchess has last laugh at Super Bowl |url=http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2016/02/after_hearing_people_call_him.html |access-date=November 19, 2022 |website=mlive.com}}</ref>

Funchess played in 15 games in 2016, with seven starts, recording 23 catches for 371 yards and four touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Devin Funchess 2016 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FuncDe00/gamelog/2016/ |access-date=November 19, 2022 |website=[[Pro- Football- Reference.com]] |language=en}}</ref> He was placed on [[injured reserve]] on December 29, 2016, after suffering a knee injury against the Falcons in Week 16.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Strickland |first=Bryan |date=December 29, 2016 |title=Devin Funchess placed on IR; Damiere Byrd promoted |url=https://www.panthers.com/news/devin-funchess-placed-on-ir-damiere-byrd-promoted-18356877 |access-date=November 19, 2022 |website=Panthers.com}}</ref>

Funchess was part of a Panthers' wide receiver unit that contained Kelvin Benjamin, Russell Shephard, Curtis Samuel, Kaelin Clay, and Damiere Byrd.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2017 Carolina Panthers Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/car/2017.htm |access-date=December 11, 2018 |website=[[Pro- Football- Reference.com]]}}</ref> In Week 4, against the [[New England Patriots]], he had seven receptions for 70 yards and two touchdowns in the 33–30 victory.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 2, 2017 |title='Sky is the limit' for Devin Funchess after two TDs in Panthers' big win |url=http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2017/10/sky_is_the_limit_for_devin_fun.html |access-date=December 11, 2018 |website=MLive.com}}</ref> In Week 12, against the [[New York Jets]], he had a season-high 108 receiving yards on seven receptions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 26, 2017 |title=Devin Funchess is Carolina's MVP for Week 12 victory |url=https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/2017/11/26/devin-funchess-is-carolinas-mvp-for-week-12-victory/ |access-date=December 11, 2018 |website=Panthers Wire}}</ref> Overall, on the season, he had 63 receptions for 840 yards and eight touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 12, 2018 |title=Antonio Gates, others help Devin Funchess leave his past behind |url=httphttps://www.espn.com/blog/carolina-panthers/post/_/id/30028 |access-date=December 11, 2018 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> The Panthers made the playoffs and faced off against the Saints in the [[2017–18_NFL_playoffs2017–18 NFL playoffs#NFC:_New_Orleans_Saints_31 New Orleans Saints 31,_Carolina_Panthers_26 Carolina Panthers 26|Wild Card Round]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Bradley |date=December 24, 2017 |title=Panthers clinch playoff spot in wild 22–19 win over Buccaneers |url=https://www.catscratchreader.com/2017/12/24/16816758/nfl-playoff-picture-panthers-clinch-playoff-spot-in-wild-22-19-win-over-buccaneers |access-date=December 11, 2018 |website=Cat Scratch Reader}}</ref> In the 31–26 loss, he had four receptions for 89 yards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Panthers' Devin Funchess: Plays hurt in defeat |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/panthers-devin-funchess-plays-hurt-in-defeat/ |access-date=December 11, 2018 |website=CBSSports.com}}</ref>

In a Week 3 victory over the [[Cincinnati Bengals]], Funchess scored his first receiving touchdown of the season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Panthers WR Devin Funchess was motivated for first TD, and 'we've got more to come' |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article218902345.html |access-date=December 11, 2018 |website=charlotteobserver}}</ref> In Week 6 and Week 8, he scored a touchdown in consecutive games against the Redskins and [[Philadelphia Eagles]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 14, 2018 |title=Panthers Highlights: Devin Funchess makes a circus catch for a touchdown |url=https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/2018/10/14/panthers-highlights-devin-funchess-makes-a-circus-catch-for-a-touchdown/ |access-date=December 11, 2018 |website=Panthers Wire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Panthers' Devin Funchess: Catches TD pass in win over Eagles |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/panthers-devin-funchess-catches-td-pass-in-win-over-eagles/ |access-date=December 11, 2018 |website=CBSSports.com}}</ref> He finished the 2018 season with 44 receptions for 549 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Devin Funchess 2018 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FuncDe00/gamelog/2018/ |access-date=November 19, 2022 |website=[[Pro- Football- Reference.com]] |language=en}}</ref>

On April 22, 2024, Funchess signed his first professional basketball contract with the Caribbean Storm<ref>{{Cite web |title=Caribbean Storm FIBA Page |url=https://www.fiba.basketball/ligasudamericana/2023/team/Caribbean-Storm}}</ref> of the Basketball League of Colombia. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Moraitis |first=Mike |date=2024-04-23 |title=Ex-Detroit Lions TE signs pro basketball contract {{!}} Sporting News |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/ex-detroit-lions-wr-makes-history-after-signing-pro-basketball-contract/2e3dd3449c3caaf5185113aa |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=www.sportingnews.comSporting News |language=en-us}}</ref>

*{{footballstats|pfr=F/FuncDe00|yahoo=28429|espn=2977609}}