With Colston Loveland off to the NFL and Michigan yet to secure a commitment from a transfer portal tight end, who can the Wolverines turn to at the position in 2025? We look to PFF for the answer:
As the Michigan Wolverines gear up for the 2025 season, few position groups are as big a concern as tight end. With the departure of Colston Loveland to the NFL, Michigan faces the challenge of replacing one of its most reliable and dynamic weapons on offense.
While the Wolverines have not yet landed a big-name transfer at the position, they return several key players with experience and potential. Using Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades and insights, let’s analyze Michigan’s tight end depth chart and what fans can expect.
Marlin Klein
With Loveland sidelined late in the 2024 season, Klein saw an increased role and finished the year with 418 offensive snaps. While his numbers weren’t eye-popping — 13 receptions for 108 yards — his experience could prove invaluable.
Klein had a 58.3 overall grade and a 61.2 passing grade per PFF, showing some flashes of his receiving ability along the way. However, his biggest asset was his 81.2 pass-blocking grade, the best among Michigan’s returning tight ends. A 54.1 run-blocking grade leaves room for improvement, but his ability to protect the quarterback could make him a crucial piece in pass-heavy situations.
If he can continue developing as a receiving threat and work on his run-blocking, Klein has the potential to become a reliable player moving forward.
Hogan Hansen
Hansen enters his sophomore season as one of the most exciting young tight ends on the roster. As a freshman, he played 93 offensive snaps and finished with seven catches for 78 yards and a touchdown. PFF gave him a 65.1 overall grade, a 66.8 passing grade and 67.8 pass-blocking grade, making him one of Michigan’s most balanced offensive players.
With a full offseason to develop, Hansen could emerge as Michigan’s primary receiving threat at tight end.
Max Bredeson
While Bredeson isn’t the flashiest player at the position, his importance to Michigan’s offense cannot be overstated. He was Michigan’s eighth-highest graded offensive player in 2024 with a 67.9 overall PFF grade, excelling primarily as a blocker.
Bredeson’s 72.7 run-blocking grade was the best on the team, making him a key asset in Michigan’s rush attack. Though he’s only registered 10 career receptions for 121 yards, his ability to pave the way in the running game makes him a crucial piece of the offense.
If Michigan continues to lean on its running game in 2025, expect Bredeson to once again play a pivotal role in opening up holes for running backs to go through.
Zack Marshall
Marshall has yet to see significant playing time, logging just 33 offensive snaps in 2024. His 55.9 overall grade and 54.9 passing grade suggest he is still developing, but his size (6-foot-4, 245 pounds) makes him an intriguing option as a rotational piece.
A former three-star recruit in the 2023 class, Marshall’s lack of production his first two seasons doesn’t necessarily indicate his ceiling. He’ll have a chance to carve out a role in 2025, particularly in short-yardage passing situations.
Brady Prieskorn
Prieskorn entered his freshman year with lofty expectations as one of the highest ranked recruits in his class. However, he never registered an offensive snap in 2024. At 6-foot-6, 245 pounds, he has the physical tools to be an impact player. While he remains an unknown at this point, his recruiting pedigree suggests he has the potential to be a key contributor.
Jalen Hoffman
A former walk-on, Hoffman played six offensive snaps in 2024 and did well as a blocker. His 66.9 overall grade and 73.2 run-blocking grade indicate he could serve as a quality backup to Bredeson. Though Hoffman is unlikely to see significant targets in the passing game, his blocking ability could get him on the field in the event Bredeson suffered an injury.
Final Thoughts
Michigan’s tight end room lacks an established star, but features several players capable of stepping into larger roles. Head coach Sherrone Moore and offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey have plenty of options, and how they utilize this group will be one of the most interesting storylines of Michigan’s 2025 offense.
Whether the Wolverines lean on a by-committee approach or have a star emerge, the tight end group will be a key factor in Michigan’s success.