The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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T I G H T E N D S THE WOLVERINE 2026 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 67 want to go bigger — you'll see Hogan Han- sen, Zack Marshall and Deakon Tonielli as a part of that package. If you're going five wides and you want more speed, you'll see more of the wide receivers. "There's still a great opportunity to uti- lize that position. Dalton Kincaid was a stud at Utah. They're going to use those guys for what they can do and provide for this offense." Breaking It Down Hansen needed to have some linger- ing shoulder issues taken care of prior to last season, and he missed prep time for the 2025 campaign. Soft tissue injuries fol- lowed, and the year proved a frustrating one for him, with 6 catches for 74 yards. "Two years ago in the Arkansas State game is when we got introduced to him," Jansen said. "Colston was down and Hogan caught his first touchdown. He can run any route you want. He's a guy who can create mismatches. You have to put a strong safety on him. You can't cover him with a nickel, because the size will be too much. "He's faster than most linebackers. Hav- ing him as a part of this offensive package will do a couple of things. You get in the red zone, and he creates mismatches. You make that defense match your personnel in a way that makes them vulnerable. Maybe they're trying to take away Hogan's ability to catch passes, but now they're not as well prepared to stop the run. "I don't know if he'll be a Colston, be- cause he doesn't have the same size and catch radius. But he has a lot of the same skills, as far as his speed, his footwork, his ability to run routes." Wolverines a year ago, making 16 catches for 199 yards and 1 touchdown. He started against Washington among his trio of start- ing assignments, shining with 5 catches for 72 yards, including a touchdown grab. The team ultimately named him Michigan's Most Improved Player on Offense. "I know he's looking forward to getting more opportunity in the pass game," Jan- sen said. "But in talking to him, he wants to be that traditional tight end, that well- rounded guy, setting the edge, being low, working on combo blocks with the O-line and the tackle. I see him as a combination. It's the bridge between say a Jalen Hoffman and a Hogan Hansen. "If you want a guy that's going to be in- line to provide you the best of both worlds, that's going to be Zack." Tonielli also appeared in all 13 Michigan games in 2025, making two starts. He made 8 catches for 72 yards, including 2 for 20 in the Citrus Bowl against Texas. He also caught 3 passes for 38 yards in the home win over Washington "Deakon has just got to catch the ball," Jansen said. 'We saw it a little bit at the end of last year. We saw the opportunity he had, even in the spring game [a 20-yard recep- tion]. He's a big body. He's a big target. "His body is more like Colston Love- land's, but he doesn't have the same speed. He's not necessarily as proficient at running routes, but he's another guy that can create mismatches just in terms of the sheer size. "There aren't a lot of guys that match up. When you try to match him up with safe- ties, he dwarfs those guys." Hoffman played in all 13 games last year, mostly on special teams, making 1 tackle. Owens got into two games as a freshman. They'll both be looking to become the STARTERS ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Michigan's tight ends are looking to con- tribute in a number of ways while finding their footing inside a new system via a new coaching staff. For players like anticipated starter Hogan Hansen, it means seeing how much the new staff incorporates the tight ends into the passing game. Hansen battled injuries last year, but he's healthy and ready for a breakout year. DEPTH ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ½ Seniors Zack Marshall and Deakon Tonielli could just as easily start any given game as Hansen. They both contributed significantly last season, and they're potentially effective targets for Michigan sophomore quarter- back Bryce Underwood. Meanwhile, the Max Bredeson-type chops busters such as senior Jalen Hoffman and sophomore Eli Owens can deliver a boost to Michigan's overall attack with their blocking skills. The Wolverines feature a veteran bunch here, no matter who takes the starting role. OVERALL ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This group might feature the biggest ques- tion mark of the offense, going in. That's not because there's a lack of talent here — there isn't, although the next Jake Butt or Colston Loveland has yet to emerge. It's a question of how the tight ends will be employed, and that will bear close scrutiny this fall. PRESEASON ANALYSIS QUICK FACTS Position Coach: Freddie Whittingham (1st year at U-M) Returning Starter: None Departing Starter: Max Bredeson (16 career starts), Marlin Klein (12) Projected New Starter: Hogan Hansen Top Reserves: Zack Marshall (4), Deakon Tonielli (2), Jalen Hoffman (1) Newcomers: Mason Bonner Moved In: None Moved Out: Brady Prieskorn (Mississippi) Rookie Impact: None Most Improved Player: Marshall Best Pro Prospect: Hansen [FYI] ❱ Tight ends accounted for 26.5 percent of targets (87 of 328), 27.7 percent of receptions (56 of 202), 24.9 percent of receiving yards (604 of 2,428) and 18.2 percent of touchdown catches (2 of 11) for Michigan last season. ❱ Michigan has had a tight end selected in each of the last four NFL Drafts — Luke Schoon- maker (second round, 2023), AJ Barner (fourth round, 2024), Colston Loveland (first round, 2025) and Marlin Klein (second round, 2026). Last season, Klein led his position group with 24 catches for 248 yards and 1 touchdown. ❱ Last season, Utah led the nation in both pass attempts (242) and rush attempts (310) with two tight ends on the field, according to Sports Info Solutions. However, the Utes heavily utilized the "rhino" position — an extra offensive lineman lining up on the end of the line — which skews those numbers. Still, Utah had a third-team All-Big 12 standout at tight end in Dallen Bentley, who accumulated 620 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns on 48 receptions. TIGHT ENDS — Mason Bonner (6-7, 225), Fr. 80 Hogan Hansen (6-5, 240), Jr. 42 Jalen Hoffman (6-3, 245), Sr. 83 Zack Marshall (6-4, 245), Sr. 44 Eli Owens (6-1, 244), So. 88 Deakon Tonielli (6-5, 246), Sr.