Despite being a true freshman, tight end Hogan Hansen is already making an impact for Michigan when he’s been given opportunities. With tight end Marlin Klein dealing with an injury, Hogan may be called on more against Michigan State this Saturday:
After taking over for a struggling Davis Warren, Michigan quarterback Alex Orji threw a nine-yard passing touchdown late in the game against Arkansas State in Week 3. On the receiving end of the ball was a brand new name — freshman tight end Hogan Hansen.
In the first game he ever played at the collegiate level, following an injury to fellow tight end Colston Loveland, Hansen stepped up and showed out.
“I got told like a minute before I was maybe going in and running that play,” Hansen told the media this week. “Once the ball was snapped, I just blacked out, I wasn’t thinking about much so the next thing I know, I’m just celebrating with all my teammates.”
While his touchdown showed his prowess and potential, Hansen has had minimal impact in the ensuing games. Against USC, Minnesota and Washington, Hansen didn’t catch a pass.
It’s not surprising Hansen hasn’t been a considerable piece of Michigan’s offense, after all he’s only a freshman. For the most part, freshmen spend the majority of their inaugural season learning the ropes and watching from the sidelines. The fact Hansen didn’t see a lot of action for those three games isn’t out of the ordinary.
Last week against Illinois, though, he was called on once again. And when his name was called, Hansen once again showed what he can do.
In the first half of Saturday’s 21-7 loss to the Fighting Illini, tight end Marlin Klein suffered an injury and needed to be carted off the field. Hansen stepped in, and after just one reception in his first four games, Hansen collected four against Illinois alone. He had 50 receiving yards on the day, the second-most of any Wolverine behind Loveland.
“I’m just trying to stay ready up to this point,” Hansen said. “Because you never know, things can change just like that.”
It is worth noting three of the four passes Hansen caught came on Michigan’s final drive in the fourth quarter when it was down 14 points with a minute on the clock. Nonetheless, the opportunity provided him with the chance to get some valuable reps.
Much of Hansen’s usage against Illinois was based on Klein getting injured. Given head coach Sherrone Moore’s optimism there’s a chance he could return to the lineup this week, it seems like he avoided a major injury.
If Klein is sidelined against the Spartans, though, the Wolverines will need some help at tight end to pick up the slack. While his sample size is limited, Hansen has shown the ability to step up when needed.
All of Hansen’s appearances have come in low-leverage situations, though. Against Illinois, Michigan was on life support just waiting for the end to come when he snagged three passes on that final drive. Against Arkansas State, the Wolverines were already up 18 points prior to Hansen’s touchdown.
Now, if Hansen fills in for Klein, he will not only have to step up, but step up in bigger moments when the stakes are high.
If Hansen takes what he did against the Fighting Illini and uses it to take another step forward, he could be just what Michigan needs against the Spartans this weekend.