Kevin Koger's job title and the responsibilities that go along with it haven't changed.

But talk to the Michigan sophomore tight end about his effectiveness in a multi-tasking role and he'll explain that his levels of comfort and confidence are completely new. He no longer over thinks like he did as a freshman. He just plays, taking as much pleasure in his improved blocking as he does in the increased number of times he has touched the ball this season.

Kevin Koger

In a conversation with AnnArbor.com, Koger talks about his role with the Wolverines, a one-handed catch he figured would land him on "SportsCenter" and how his NFL viewing habits may differ from many of his other teammates.

Q: When you're on the field, you seem more comfortable. Is that something you've noticed now that you've been in Rich Rodriguez's system for a year?

A: Definitely, because I actually know what I'm doing. As a freshman, I was out there, but I wasn't contributing like I should have been. I think I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing now. It seems more natural to me now. I don't have to think about anything on the field - I'm just reacting.

Q: You had a pretty remarkable one-handed catch earlier this season. Coach Rodriguez joked afterward that you had broken his 'Catch the ball with two hands' rule. Did you catch any grief over that?

A: If you watch it, I went up with two hands, but my left hand just didn't reach as far as my right one did. I told him that I went up with two (hands) and so he really couldn't yell at me. But I didn't try to catch it with one hand. (My teammates) joked with me saying I was going to be on ESPN and all that, but it didn't happen.

Q: You've had your fair share of catches (12) this season. Are you OK with that work load or would you like to see the ball come your way a little more?

A: I trust the coaching staff and what they're telling me and so the coaches that have come, I have no complaints at all. I'm lucky to be getting as many catches as I have because we have so many weapons on offense.

Q: Coach Rodriguez has challenged the tight ends to be better blockers. How would you rate your blocking ability?

A: I feel like I've come a long way because last year, I came in and I had no clue what to do (with blocking techniques). So I feel like I've progressed from last year but I've got a long way to go. There are so many great defensive ends and linebackers out there and my fundamentals have to improve for me to be a dominant blocker.

Q: What's made you a better blocker besides having a better grasp of the fundamentals?

A: I think (blocking) is a want-to thing. A lot of it has to do with fundamentals, but it comes down to either you want to block or you don't want to block. I feel like I really want to block, and I want to be get better. If I want to get to the next level, you have to be able to do it all. You see the great tight ends and they're able to do it all.

Q: Are there any NFL tight ends you watch and respect for what they can do?

A: I was watching the Bears and Greg (Olsen) and he's doing a great job. I didn't know he was that athletic, so I was just watching him. He's running down the field, running past safeties, blocking his tail off, catching touchdowns, and so I'm really impressed with him. When I watch NFL games, I just watch the tight ends, really. Our coaches tell us all the time to just watch what they do. So I really don't watch the game as a fan, I just watch to see what the tight end is going to do.

Q: So when you're working on your blocking in practice, which of your teammates gives you the most fits?

A: I really have trouble with Brandon Graham. I go against him a lot, and I've lost plenty of battles with him. If he beats you, he'll let you know about it. He'll just say, 'You can't block me, boy.' So it's really tough blocking him, and I've really got to be fundamentally sound, but he's just so strong and sometimes, he'll just bull rush me, and I can't do anything about it.

Jeff Arnold covers sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2554 or jeffarnold@annarbor.com