Michigan TE Jalen Hoffman’s breakout performance in the spring game is one of the signals that the pass-catchers could be taking a step in the right direction as a part of Chip Lindsey’s offense:
Based on his No. 42 jersey, you might expect Jalen Hoffman to be grinding away as an H-back in the run game. While the junior from Virginia has a knack for doing so and follows in the footsteps of Max Bredeson, it was his ability as a receiver that flashed the most during Michigan’s spring game on Saturday afternoon.
Following the game, Hoffman chuckled when asked if he was the steal of the spring game draft.
“I guess you could say that,” Hoffman said.
Hoffman led all receivers on Saturday afternoon with seven catches for 148 yards and a touchdown. The final play of the game was an 88-yard touchdown throw from Bryce Underwood to Hoffman.
Hoffman did some damage on routes in the flat that gave him opportunities to run after the catch — he ended the day with 96 yards after the catch. He also showed some nice ball skills by snaring a few fastballs from Underwood over the middle of the field.
“Jalen (Hoffman) has really picked up his game and he’s really changed his body,” head coach Sherrone Moore said after the game. “A super athletic kid with really great ball skills and hands and the guy I would definitely look forward to watching this season.”
Michigan lost its most productive pass-catcher from the 2024 season — tight end Colston Loveland — to the 2025 NFL Draft . There will be plenty of snaps to go around at the position, but it’s no secret Michigan’s pass-catchers as a whole needs to be better. With a solid showing like Hoffman’s on Saturday, there’s a bit more belief Michigan’s passing game can take a step forward this fall, particularly based on the fact that tight ends have historically been a big part of Michigan game plans.
“I feel like we want the pass game to come through us,” Hoffman said when asked about the role of the tight ends in the passing game. “We want the ball. We want to be able to make plays.”
With guys like Hoffman, Marlin Klein and Hogan Hansen, it would make sense for the passing attack to be centered around the tight ends. However, the arrival of Chip Lindsey as the offensive coordinator signaled a desire for Michigan to create more explosiveness through the air. The vertical element was something the Wolverines lacked a season ago, with their longest passing play of the season resulting in only 36 yards.
On Saturday, we saw some elements of an offense that should free up receivers more as they try to make plays downfield.
“It’s part of the reason I brought Chip (Lindsey) in — we’ve created some shots and created some different pass concepts to help us in that,” Moore said.
One player that stood out in this area was sophomore wide receiver Channing Goodwin. He was regularly running wide open in the secondary on Saturday and even got past the defense on a fade route deep over the middle of the field. Underwood’s pass was a bit long and missed Goodwin by about five yards, but it still demonstrated improvements in the overall pass game.
After the struggles fans saw from the wide receivers and tight ends not named Colston Loveland last year, there’s nowhere to go but up for the passing attack under Lindsey. While it’s no guarantee Michigan lights it up through the air in 2025, the ingredients are there for things to be better than in 2024.