Michigan TE Hogan Hansen on making early impact: 'It's definitely a little surprising'

“Who’s No. 80?” many Michigan Wolverines football fans asked as a 6-foot-5, 236-pounder cracked a defender on his way into the end zone for a touchdown in the 28-18 victory over Arkansas State Sept. 14.

That would be Hogan Hansen, a freshman tight end out of Bellevue, Wash., who scored a touchdown on his first career catch.

And it’s fair that not everyone knew his name back in non-conference play, since despite being an early enrollee he wasn’t the headliner of the 2024 recruiting class at his position. Brady Prieskorn, a four-star, top-150 in-state recruit out of Rochester (Mich.) Adams came in with much more fanfare.

“I think I really just started hitting my stride during fall camp,” Hansen said. “I put together a few good practices. I finally started getting the scheme and the play book together.”

While Prieskorn and Hansen both early enrolled last January, the latter has gotten up to speed quicker. He darted up the depth chart during fall camp and earned a reserve role. He was thrust into duty against Arkansas State after star junior Colston Loveland went down with an injury.

“I got told like a minute before I was maybe going in and running that play,” Hansen said of the touchdown. “Once the ball was snapped, I just blacked out. I wasn’t thinking about much, and then next thing I knew I was just celebrating with all of my teammates.”

Hansen has totaled 26 offensive snaps in five games, but he’s been featured quite a bit when he’s been on the field. He’s garnered 6 targets, 5 of which have gone for receptions, totaling 59 yards and a score.

“It’s definitely a little surprising,” Hansen said of earning his role as a freshman. “I just try to stay ready because you never know, things could change like that.”

Things changed just like that again last Saturday, when junior Marlin Klein went down with an injury. Hansen saw time late in the game and stepped up with 4 catches and 50 yards in a loss to Illinois. If Klein remains out of the lineup moving forward, Hansen should continue to earn snaps, and he’s being helped by those ahead of him.

“They’ve just been super great role models,” Hansen said. “Every time I have a question on the field or anything, they’ll teach me. After practice when we’re watching film, they’ll give me tips and reminders, they’re always trying to help me.”

It didn’t hurt that his high school, Bellevue (Wash.) High, ran the Wing-T offense. Unlike many college tight ends who play wide receiver in high school, Hansen blocked quite a bit.

“We’ve been running the Wing-T for I don’t know how long, so I knew what I was getting myself into,” Hansen said of the physical style at Michigan and in college football. “The physical nature of the offense here is similar to my high school.”

The staff has also helped Hansen out — not just position coach Steve Casula or offensive line coach Grant Newsome, his primary recruiter. But the nutrition and strength personnel have been a big help.

“I came in a little but underweight,” Hansen noted. “The nutrition got my weight up, and the strength and conditioning [helping me get] faster, stronger. 

“I’ve added about 20 pounds since I got here. I early enrolled, because I knew I needed to get that physical nature of college.”

Hansen said that Prieskorn has a bright future alongside him, too.

“He’s doing really well,” Hansen said. “He’s gonna be a dawg. He’s very physical in the run game. And I think in the future we’re going to be a really good tight end room.”

Hansen came to Michigan because of the relationships he built with players and staff and the culture in the building. He committed and signed with the Wolverines before almost the entire coaching staff was swapped out, after head coach Jim Harbaugh left for the Los Angeles Chargers and Sherrone Moore was promoted. However, he sees the same culture intact now, even after the Wolverines have collected three losses in the first seven outings of the 2024 season.

“If you’re a Michigan man, this is what you live for, to go through times like this and just drive on,” Hansen said. “This is where your character is really tested. I wouldn’t want to be at any other program.”