How Michigan Football will replace Colston Loveland’s presence, production

With Colston Loveland now in the NFL, Marlin Klein, Hogan Hansen and Jalen Hoffman headline a mostly-unproven tight end room for the Michigan Wolverines that will be leaned upon in 2025:

As the Michigan Wolverines continue to prepare for the 2025 campaign, one of the most pressing challenges for the new-look offense will be trying to find a way to replace the presence and production of star tight end Colston Loveland.

Loveland was selected with the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft after a memorable career at Michigan. He led the Wolverines with 56 catches, 582 yards and five touchdowns in 2024. He was a constant mismatch for opposing defenses and a reliable outlet in the passing game.

But now the spotlight turns to a deep, yet largely unproven tight end room that will have to find a way to replace Loveland’s impact in 2025. Marlin Klein is the most experienced tight end on the team after filling in admirably when Loveland was sidelined with an injury last year, but the Wolverines will have to lean on several others to contribute as well.

With an impressive blend of athleticism and physicality, Klein is expected to play a central role as a blocker and receiver. He recorded a career-best 13 catches last year for 108 yards, and he should be even more productive in 2025.

Despite seeing limited action as a true freshman, Hogan Hansen showed flashes of his potential by posting seven catches for 78 receiving yards, highlighted by scoring his first career touchdown in the win over Arkansas State. Even though he doesn’t have a ton of experience, his previous playing time should pay dividends moving forward. His upside could be critical under new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey, who will make heavy use of the tight ends.

One of the biggest standouts from the spring game was Jalen Hoffman, and if given the opportunity, he could build on that momentum when the season starts. He compiled a game-high 148 yards and one touchdown on seven catches.

Hoffman’s ability to line up as a fullback and tight end adds versatility to the offense and could make him a valuable piece. We’ll see if his spring game performance will lead to him making a consistent impact this year.

Max Bredeson will also continue to play a major role due to his elite blocking and veteran leadership. He hasn’t offered much historically as a pass catcher, but he will be especially important in developing the underclassmen behind him at H-back in Hoffman and true freshman Eli Owens.

Tight ends coach Steve Casula will also be tasked with developing younger guys with some potential in Zack Marshall and Brady Prieskorn. Neither have seen the field much during their careers so far, but both have been spoken about in high regard by the coaching staff. Prieskorn, in particular, was a highly touted recruit coming out of Rochester, Michigan in the 2023 class, so there are a couple guys with potential behind the likes of Klein and Hansen.

In order for the offense to thrive, the tight ends must contribute as a committee and provide a dependable target for the quarterbacks. That’s easier said than done without a top guy like Loveland, but the Wolverines should have enough depth to get it done.