Michigan TE Colston Loveland has seen 'insane' growth during freshman season

The Michigan Wolverines football tight end room looks much different now than it did entering the 2022 season. Senior Erick All, a captain, underwent season-ending surgery early in the year and has since entered the transfer portal and committed to Iowa. Sophomore Louis Hansen, a reserve, has also departed the program.

Graduate Luke Schoonmaker has stepped up, but he, too, missed time with an injury in the back half of the campaign. All of the moving pieces have allowed freshman Colston Loveland to earn more opportunity, and make the most of it.

Loveland has started five games and played in all 13, totaling 351 offensive snaps. All five of his starts have come in the second half of the season, and his production has increased seemingly by the week. In the last three games — versus Illinois, at Ohio State and against Purdue in the Big Ten championship — Loveland has recorded 6 of his 12 receptions, 120 of his 199 receiving yards and both of his touchdowns for the season.

“Being surrounded by and being in this building surrounded by such great people, that push me every day, couldn’t be more blessed,” Loveland said as Michigan prepares to take on TCU in the College Football Playoff. ‘Same with the family back home. They’re always keeping me level-headed and getting me right. And then some spots open up and able to play a little ball.”

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Loveland’s 45-yard touchdown catch in a 45-23 win over the Buckeyes was a crucial second-half play, one he didn’t believe he’d be in the spot to make when the season first started.

“Honestly, no. I didn’t,” Loveland said when asked if he would have believed he’d score touchdowns in the two biggest games of the season, versus Ohio State and Purdue. “I didn’t think I was gonna be able to, but I’m super blessed I got put in that position to be able to make those plays.”

The Michigan tight end’s score against Purdue was on a deep ball from sophomore J.J. McCarthy that he went up over two defenders to get.

“That’s like all I did in high school,” Loveland explained. “So it was kind of just like, throw it up, one versus three. I’m pretty comfortable going up and getting the ball.”

The Gooding, Idaho, native was overlooked during much the recruiting process, due in large part to his location. He surprised his Michigan teammates right when he arrived as an early enrollee during winter conditioning, but being ready to play such a big role on the biggest stage is an entirely different thing. He’s been able to do that, and credits his position coach, Grant Newsome, for getting him ready.

“The growth just from day one to now, it’s insane,” Loveland said. “I grew so much. It’s really the older guys in the tight end room and Coach Newsome, obviously.

“Every day, they’re showing me new things, just more stuff, and I don’t even know all that right now. I’ve got so much more to learn, so being where I’m at right now and having more to learn is amazing.

“In the tight end room, all the vets like [graduates] Carter Selzer or Joel Honigford, Luke Schoonmaker. All those guys. Hibby [junior Matthew Hibner]. All the older guys are just showing me the ropes really. Especially because I didn’t play tight end, really, in high school, technically. So they’ve just been teaching me and teach me. Same with Coach Newsome. Great, great coach.”

The 6-5, 237-pounder was named Michigan’s Offensive Freshman of the Year during the team’s year-end bust.

Loveland said he didn’t expect the Michigan team culture to be “so tight and together” because of the roster including players from all over the country and even internationally. However, he’s been pleasantly surprised and enjoyed his freshman season.

“It’s been a blast,” Loveland exclaimed. “I couldn’t ask for anything more. It’s the best of the best, top stage and just having fun with the guys and everyone around here. It’s awesome.”