Michigan Football 2026 position group breakdown: Tight ends

[ASFN Admin]

You must be registered for see images attach

ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 01: Michigan Wolverines tight end Zack Marshall (83) gathers in a short pass for a first down during the Michigan Wolverines versus the Purdue Boilermakers game on Saturday November 1, 2025 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, MI. (Photo by Steven King/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Good tight end play has been integral to Michigan’s identity for years. It fits a familiar script — hand off the ball to the running back, pick up three yards, hand it off again, get another three yards. Third down, call a hitch or a curl and throw the ball to a big, steady-handed tight end and get the first down.

And with Kyle Whittingham and Jason Beck, the Wolverines’ emphasis on a run-first approach looks set to stay — and with that, so is the importance of Michigan’s tight ends. So with that, continuing Maize and Brew’s weekly look at the Wolverines position group by position group, let’s look at what we can expect out of the tight ends in 2026.

The starter: Zack Marshall, senior​

In each of the last two seasons, the Wolverines entered the year knowing exactly who was going to line up at this position for them: Colston Loveland in 2024 and Marlin Klein in 2025. This year, the answer is a little more muddy, but I’m leaning slightly more towards Zack Marshall. We already saw him generate some volume last year with 16 catches for 199 yards and a touchdown in 2025 while serving as Klein’s understudy. I think Beck’s offense will lean on him as a constant, and his experience is what gives him the nod here.

The (potential other) starter: Hogan Hansen, junior​

I think Hogan Hansen’s been a little unlucky. He flashed in 2024, and if he’d stayed healthy in 2025, I think he’d have made a very convincing bid to make this spot his own. I do think Marshall/Hansen will not necessarily be a situation where one dominates the lions’ share of targets, and I think it will look closer to a 1A/1B dynamic as time progresses. But I think Hansen will start the season as the firm TE2 with opportunities to earn more reps as the season progresses.

Other notables: Deakon Tonielli, senior, and Jalen Hoffman, senior​

Deakon Tonielli and Jalen Hoffman are in interesting predicaments, where they’ve been on the roster for a few years but haven’t had much production. Tonielli caught eight passes for 72 yards in 2025, and it looks like he’ll be TE3 for now, while Hoffman has mostly been a special teams contributor. Rounding out the room are sophomore Eli Owens and senior and former Michigan lacrosse player Crandall Quinn.

Verdict​

I think this is one of the weaker tight end rooms the Wolverines have seen in years, with no true alpha option emerging as of now. I think Marshall will be reliable and Hansen should play considerably greater snaps, but I don’t think this room necessarily moves the needle for Michigan. On the bright side, given Michigan’s depth of riches at running back and wide receiver — where sophomore JJ Buchanan already fills the void of “big body pass catcher” — I think the Wolverines need their tight ends to be “just alright.”

GRADE: C+​

Continue reading...