Michigan TE Marlin Klein 'super excited' for Chip Lindsey offense, Bryce Underwood arrival
The Michigan Wolverines football offense will look much different in 2025. Coordinator and quarterbacks coach Chip Lindsey will take over the reins, and a five-star+ quarterback in Bryce Underwood compete for the starting job. Junior tight end Marlin Klein, meanwhile, is set to have a much more prominent role with classmate Colston Loveland having declared for the NFL Draft.
While the Maize and Blue are focused on the Dec. 31 ReliaQuest Bowl matchup with Alabama, there’s excitement brewing about what’s in store for next season.
Klein, for one, said he’s already had conversations with Lindsey regarding tight end usage.
“I thought it was great,” Klein said of the hiring. “But ever since I got here, I trust [Michigan head] Coach [Sherrone] Moore or even Coach [Jim] Harbaugh when he was still here to make the right hire. So I totally believe that was the right hire for us, and just super excited.
“I got to hear a little bit about his experience feeding the tight ends at UNC, so just super excited for next year.”
Lindsey, a 50-year-old who spent the last two seasons at North Carolina and has eight years of coordinator experience, has been working inside Schembechler Hall.
“He’s been around since he got hired,” Klein noted. “Super nice guy. Obviously, haven’t gotten to know him too much yet, but looking forward to that and building a relationship with him so I can do my thing next year.”
And he intends to feature the tight ends quite a bit, which is a longstanding tradition at Michigan.
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“Just looking at some of the guys that he dealt with at UNC, I’m pretty sure last year [the tight ends] combined for 11 touchdowns and 900 yards or so. So just seeing that and knowing what kind of talent we have here, in our room, we’ve always been a huge part of the offense — even when I got here my freshman year, with Erick All and Luke Schoonmaker.
“But yeah, whatever it takes, however they’re gonna involve us, we’re gonna do our thing and help this university win.”
A 6-foot-6, 247-pounder, Klein has played a key role this season, even if his stats aren’t gaudy. He’s recorded 12 catches for 101 yards but is still searching for his first career touchdown. More opportunities are likely heading his way starting with the bowl game, since Loveland isn’t expected to suit up.
Underwood — the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2025 class — will begin practicing with Michigan later this week, now that he’s officially enrolled at U-M. Klein has seen Underwood around and is looking forward for the five-star to start training with the Wolverines.
“He’s been floating around,” Klein said. “I’ve seen him a lot now. Obviously, super excited for him to come in. Him being signed with this great university, I think he’s gonna give us a great shot next year. Obviously, not gonna come in here and just start right away, because there are a lot of guys that have been here and worked their butts off to be in the position that they’re in right now, but super excited to see what he can do. He can spin the rock, that’s for sure.
“I’ve watched some of his highlights here and there, especially after signing day, knowing that he was actually coming here. But yeah, elite talent. He’s gonna do his thing here and be a great player at the University of Michigan.”
