Colston Loveland is destined to be a first-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, but before his time is through at Michigan he could break multiple program records.
Colston Loveland is one of the greatest tight ends in Michigan history and while his collegiate career is nearing its end, he still could break multiple records before the 2024 season is over.
Loveland needs one catch and two touchdowns to set single-season records for a Michigan tight end. Loveland currently has 53 catches for 560 yards and two touchdowns this season. Loveland is also 188 yards away from Michigan’s single-season receiving yards record for a tight end at 748.
Loveland’s currently at 114 receptions in his career for 1,444 receiving yards with ten touchdowns. Jake Butt holds the record for most receiving yards from a tight end (1,646) and most career receptions by a tight end (136). With two regular seasons left, Loveland would need a couple of monster games to reach these totals.
The fact that Loveland is having such a great season despite Michigan ranking No. 128 in passing offense speaks to how great he is — Loveland’s practically been Michigan’s passing offense. Loveland has accounted for 41.6 percent of Michigan’s receiving yards, 40 percent of touchdown receptions and 38.6 of receptions.
Despite often being double covered Loveland is still averaging 2.84 yards per route run, per PFF, which ranks No. 4 in the nation.
Loveland, a junior from Gooding, Idaho, has been a standout since his freshman season. Loveland seemed like a veteran right out of the gate in both stature and mentality.
Loveland has already cemented his legacy as a Michigan legend with plenty of big-time performances, including against the likes of rivals such as Michigan State and Ohio State. Loveland has four career touchdowns against Michigan State and the first touchdown of his career game against Ohio State.
Gooding High School alumnus Colson Loveland just scored on a 45-yard catch and run to give #Michigan the lead against #OhioState !!!
Kid is a true freshman from Idaho playing in the #TheGame .
Wow…
Congrats, @colstonlovelan1 ! pic.twitter.com/IJdYrf0JWw
— Jay Tust (@KTVBSportsGuy) November 26, 2022
Loveland is destined to be a first-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has Loveland at No. 24 on his NFL Draft Big Board .
“If you are looking for a tight end who can consistently stretch the deep middle part of the field, Loveland is your guy,” Kiper said. “He has averaged 8.3 air yards per target over three college seasons. The QB play has been subpar for Michigan, which has limited Loveland. But he is a difficult matchup for defenses, and he is averaging nine targets per game.”
Whether Loveland plays in 5-5 Michigan’s bowl game if the Wolverines become bowl-eligible remains to be seen. For now, Loveland vows to play in Michigan’s final two regular season games against Northwestern and Ohio State.
“We’re gonna play,” Loveland said. “As long as we’re healthy and feel good, we’re gonna play. Michigan has done so much for us.”