Colston Loveland: Michigan's Tight End Proving His Worth This Season

By Jason Bolton August 04, 2024 06:39 GMT+4 min read

Photo by Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Colston Loveland has been a key player during the early stages of this college football season for the Michigan Wolverines. At the same time, Loveland is showing his worth by skill and on-the-field accomplishment as one of the best tight ends in college football. Below, we'll dive into Loveland's background, how he has performed this season, and the impact that it is having on Michigan's offense.

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His Travel to Michigan

Loveland attended Gooding High School in Gooding, Idaho. He hails from Pickerington, Ohio, and weighs a towering 6-5/245 pounds. His speed and ability to make plays in the air were also aided by excelling on the field, as he exhibited each Friday night he played. A standout receiver in high school, his transition to tight end started with consistently strong performances throughout his prep career.

Loveland was a 2021 commit to Michigan, and he wasted no time making an impression in his first year. It has been a long road from an up-and-coming recruit to arguably the Wolverines' top weapon, but Loveland said everything he's gone through during his journey was worth it. In the case of Loveland, his willingness to adapt and grow in the game has been an instrumental part of who he seeks to become as a player.

Season Stats

Loveland is entering his junior season but has already made major improvements in his game. As a pass catcher in 2023, he caught 45 passes for an even 649 yards and four touchdowns, an efficient marker of his capacity to contribute as deployed to the passing game. In the country, Colston was rated fourth in value among all FBS tight ends by Pro Football Focus (PFF) stats.

Standout Moments

That penchant for coming through in the clutch was on display when he caught two key passes to seal a win over Ohio State this season that helped Michigan end decades of frustration. He also ranked in the 97th percentile among tight ends with an open-target rate of 88.7%, a testament to his route running and ability to get wide-open for his quarterback.

Analysis of Strengths

Blocking

Blocking is one of Loveland's most significant strengths. He's been a force in the running game, which has aided Michigan's ground attack. He has the size and strength to get into defensive linemen or linebackers, putting up creases for his running backs. Loveland has been compared to some of the top tight ends in college football because of his elite blocking ability and versatility as a runner and receiver.

Receiving

He has soft hands as a receiver and is very good at running routes. His history as an ex-wide receiver has served him well in the passing game, taking advantage of linebackers and defensive backs he can beat with either speed or height. The rising senior has shown to have good hands and competes for any ball thrown his way, leading Michigan quarterbacks to develop in him a trusty option.

Overall Impact

There aren't enough good things that can be said about what Loveland does to an offense. He makes defenses account for him when he is on the field, and other players tend to eat because of his presence. His size and physical style of play make him a natural red zone target, as evidenced by his four touchdown receptions last season.

Projections for the Future

Furthermore, Colston Loveland is in line to be the next breakout of the season and beyond. Given that Loveland is currently the No. 2 receiver with 582 yards, third in targets, that trajectory seems like one of Michigan's safest bets for WR production moving forward into Pac-12 play. The Wolverines will rely on his ability to adjust to the new quarterbacks and keep chugging through another grueling season.

NFL Prospects

NFL scouts are starting to pay attention now as Loveland plays through his college career. His size, athleticism, and skill set would make him an attractive piece to a professional team. With more performances like he has put on this season, Loveland is likely to be a top draft choice relatively soon, according to analysts.

The more he develops and demonstrates his ability, the better chances he has to make a bit of history at Michigan football while also setting himself up for an NFL future. The tale of Loveland football this year is still being penned and will undoubtedly be watched by fans, with him and all the other alleged brain dusters kept under a watchful eye to see if any blossoms into something bigger in front of their eyes.