Michigan TE Marlin Klein 'ready' for starting role if called upon
In September 2019, Michigan junior tight end Marlin Klein moved from Germany to the United States to play football at Rabun Gap (Ga.) Nacoochee School. He didn’t speak any English at the time — “Google translator was my friend,” he said — but being thrown into the “cold water” forced him to find his way.
“I kinda had to figure it out,” the 6-foot-6, 247-pounder said Tuesday, reflecting back after practice.
Now, he’s proud to say he doesn’t even have an accent.
Klein spent most of his time as a wide receiver in high school as he picked up the game, but he adapted to playing tight end at the next level.
“I just keep learning the game day by day and growing into this offense, not just knowing what I’m doing but why I’m doing it,” Klein said.
Klein had a career-long 33-yard reception in a 28-18 win over Arkansas State, part of a 3-catch, 43-yard outing. He’s third on the team with 50 receiving yards on 4 grabs this season, one of multiple tight ends who are heavily involved in the offense.
Junior tight end Colston Loveland leads the way with 19 grabs for 187 yards and 1 touchdown, but his status for Saturday’s game against USC is in doubt after leaving last week’s game early with a left arm injury. Klein got more involved once Loveland was unable to play, logging a career-high 33 offensive snaps for the afternoon. For the season, Klein has played 68 offensive snaps, the 13th-most on the offense.
“Over the past two years, it’s kinda been my thing, just be ready and prepare like I’m the starting tight end here at the University of Michigan,” Klein said. “I think I was ready to be thrown in there. I was playing before.
“And just being able to play with this guy, obviously he’s the best tight end in college football right now, just super excited for him to be back out there with us. I think I was prepared by our coaches and even by Colston Loveland. When he came back out, he was in my ear and telling me, ‘Hey, you got this. Whatever you need, I’m here for you.’ Just the leadership from him has been tremendous for me.”
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Klein said he’d be fine getting one more catch the entire season as long as Michigan wins, but it’s clear the tight ends will be featured. While individual stats aren’t his main focus, Klein does enjoy being involved.
“Yeah, it’s obviously fun catching the rock here and there, but to me all that matters is winning,” he said with a smile. “That’s the kind of competitor I am, and that’s what this culture has been built on for the past couple years. So whatever we have to do — whether it’s having our hand in the dirt or catching 70-yard passes.”
Michigan freshman tight end Hogan Hansen also got involved against Arkansas State. His first career reception was a 9-yard touchdown from junior quarterback Alex Orji.
“I think he’s gonna be a really great player,” Klein said of Hansen. “So is [freshman] Brady Prieskorn. I know he hasn’t had the chance to go out there and show what he can do, but I think he’s gonna be really good. Both of them are gonna play a lot of football here at the University of Michigan and be really successful.
“Hogan, the guys were really happy for him, what he did on Saturday. Nobody expected his first catch to be a touchdown at the University of Michigan, but just super excited for him to show what he can do. He’s gonna be a really good football player.”
In that moment, Hansen had to figure it out, and he succeeded in doing so. There will be more down the line for him, Klein and others.
