The Wolverine

February 2025

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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FEBRUARY 2025 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 27 BY CHRIS BALAS RETURNING STARTERS Graduate Max Bredeson More an H-back than a tight end, Bredeson announced his return in early January via social media, and his pres- ence can't be overstated. He's one of Michigan's most physical players on of- fense, a road grader who creates room for the running backs and a captain and leader. He's notched 10 catches for 121 yards in his career, but his contribution goes far beyond that. Senior Marlin Klein The 6-foot-6 German is starting to "feel" the game more and should get more opportunity in 2025 after catch- ing 13 passes for 108 yards (8.3 yards per reception) this season. He's been lauded for his athleticism, though he needs to continue to improve as a blocker. Sophomore Hogan Hansen Hansen showed signs he might be the next Michigan great at the position af- ter catching 7 passes for 78 yards and 1 touchdown as a rookie, including 4 for 50 in the loss at Illinois. The second- year potential standout should start next year. OTHER RETURNERS Junior Zack Marshall The junior played in four games as a tight end and several others on special teams this season. He's hoping to make a move up the depth chart. Junior Deakon Tonielli The former four-star has yet to catch a pass at Michigan, but will be bucking for more opportunity in 2025. Sophomore Brady Prieskorn The 6-6, 245-pounder looks to move up the depth chart after redshirting as a true freshman in 2024. NEWCOMERS Freshman Eli Owens The three-star prospect out of Al- coa (Tenn.) High had an incredible of- fer list, choosing Michigan over offers from Alabama, Kentucky, Michigan State, Ohio State, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Wisconsin and others. He's drawn comparisons to Max Bredeson for his blocking skills, but he's also a capable receiver. TIGHT ENDS ANALYSIS Michigan lost a top-100 freshman when Andrew Olesh flipped his commitment from U-M to Penn State on signing day in De- cember, but this room remains in very good shape. Coach Steve Casula did a nice job with this group in his first year, led by Colston Loveland — not only the team's best tight end, but the top receiver in the room by a long shot — but also in developing players behind him. Klein made some big catches, and Hansen is poised to have a breakout season in 2025. But Bredeson's return is really the story here, even if he's not going to catch a lot of passes. He's the catalyst for a lot of what the Wolverines want to do on offense — "smash," or running the ball down teams' throats. "He's the ultimate competitor, the ultimate leader ... everything you want in a captain," head coach Sherrone Moore said. "He's as physical as any player in college football. He impacts our team not just on the field, but off the field in huge ways, making sure the locker room is aligned in every single way." Which is huge. But there's going to be a lot of pressure on this group, potentially, to have another big year given the uncertainly in the receiver room. Michigan added some wide receiver transfers but the Wolverines also lost Loveland and receiver Tyler Morris (Indiana), their top pass-catching wideout in 2024. They upgraded the quarterback position, it appears, but the offensive line — and yes, tight end room — will have something to prove. The line was suspect this year, and the tight ends can help the run game, too, if they can provide a physical presence for the running game. Loveland and Klein were just OK as blockers last year, and it's going to take a team effort to get better up front. But again, the pass catchers need to do the job, too. Klein has been talked about for years, but he and Hansen could really be a nice one-two punch here. "Marlin actually played the most snaps of anybody in the tight end room this past season," Casula said. "… Marlin got so much accomplished this season because it was really the first time he'd ever played, and he was on the field in critical moments. Biggest congratulations for Marlin. Once you do something really good, that becomes your new standard." He just needs to start limiting more of the "bad reps" to become a complete player. The potential is there, for him and all of them. It's time to take the next step. — Chris Balas PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN ATHLETICS

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