ANN ARBOR – Michigan senior tight end Marlin Klein became close friends with Colston Loveland over the past three years as he watched his former teammate develop into a projected first-round pick in next month’s NFL draft.
The Wolverines were forced to adapt to not having Loveland for three games last season he missed because of injury, but now they are adjusting to life without the talented tight end full time.
“It’s really just knowing that I’m the guy now, the veteran in the room – really the offense in general,” Klein said Friday of stepping into the TE1 role. “Just trying to be the best version of myself each and every single day, but miss the guy every single day.”
Klein understands he’s not Loveland and isn’t trying to be. Loveland was the lone consistent receiving threat in Michigan’s offense in 2024 when healthy. The Idaho native finished his three-year career as a two-time all-Big Ten selection with 117 receptions for 1,466 yards and 11 touchdowns.
“I’ve learned a lot of things from him,” Klein said. “The way he approaches each and every single day coming in here and just trying to be the best version of yourself. That’s really what I took from him, and it’s what I continue to do.”
Michigan’s offense sagged in 2024, especially through the air, ranking No. 131 out of 134 FBS teams. While talking with reporters Friday, Klein looked noticeably bigger and said he has bulked up to 255 pounds this spring – up 10 from the end of last season.
Head coach Sherrone Moore hired offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey from North Carolina this offseason to try and jumpstart that side of the ball. Klein figures to play an important role after receiving his first extended playing time in 2024. After playing 45 snaps over his first two seasons, he played 50.5% of offensive snaps last year, including making six starts.
The 6-foot-6 native of Germany only caught 13 passes for 108 yards in 2024, but his two most productive games came with Loveland sidelined.
“With Coach Lindsey being here and the offense spreading out a little bit and really having the opportunity to be myself and kind of what I came here to do,” Klein said of his biggest strides since last season.
“But still getting better in the run game and being more consistent each and every single day. I’m just excited.”
The Wolverines might have lost a first-round pick at the tight end position, but that won’t change how Lindsey incorporates the position into the offense. His tight ends have always been heavily involved in his offense, especially at UNC the past two years.
Bryson Nesbit had 41 catches for 585 yards and five touchdowns in 2023, while John Copenhaver stepped up in 2024 and finished second on the team with 40 receptions for 414 yards and four scores.
“The tight ends here are going to play a huge part,” Lindsey said this spring. “The last two years I was fortunate, we had a couple of really good tight ends at Carolina, and those guys were a huge part of our passing game.”