We are a little over a month away from the college football season starting and what better way than to evaluate athletes who are on the rise. This segment will feature Michigan’s dynamic tight end Colston Loveland.

Loveland enters his third season at Michigan and has been a productive offensive weapon for the Wolverines. Being such a strong and dynamic tight end gives Loveland an ability to become a reliable pass-catcher while also maintaining strength and power in the running game. He has proven to be a strong blocker and has helped the Michigan offense produce in their ground attack.

As Loveland enters his junior season, he has been given the spotlight as the number one tight end in college football. He certainly will be a top draft selection in the near future and is bound for a breakout campaign in 2024. Pro Football Focus (PFF) discussed the reasoning behind Loveland’s number one tight end ranking in their article titled: College Football: The top-10 returning tight ends for the 2024 season.

PFF author Max Chadwick had this to say about the Wolverine’s offensive playmaker:

Loveland went from a promising freshman to one of the nation’s best tight ends as a sophomore. He finished as the fourth-most valuable FBS tight end this past season according to PFF’s wins above average metric and was fifth among them in receiving yards (649). 

Loveland’s elite athleticism at 6-foot-5, 245 pounds makes him nearly unguardable. His 88.7% open-target rate in 2023 placed him in the 97th percentile for all tight ends in the country. 

Being only 20-years-old and already the top tight end in all of college football is such a great accomplishment. Loveland will look to be a leader in and around the Michigan campus and take his talents to new heights this upcoming season.

Loveland’s Collegiate Statistics: 

2022: 16 Receptions for 235 Yards, 2 TDs

2023: 45 Receptions for 649 Yards, 4 TDs

2024: TBD (Prediction is 60 Receptions for 838 Yards, 7 TDs)

The recent loss of Michigan’s quarterback J.J. McCarthy will provide a challenge early on for the offense. With Loveland’s leadership and skills, expect the new quarterback to look for him to become their security blanket. Loveland’s 6-foot-5 inch, 245 pound body frame makes him an instant redzone threat and paired with his already solid blocking style, he could help an NFL franchise day one.

While comparing college athletes to current NFL players is always difficult, I can say without a doubt that Loveland has displayed glimpses of a comparison to San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle. Both athletes have similar frames, both are dynamic in their run blocking and pass-catching strengths, and both were red zone threats for opposing defenses.

Before we look at Loveland at the NFL level, there is a strong expectation that he is a difference maker and offensive weapon for Michigan in 2024 and is a college football player to watch as the season gets closer.