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Michigan tight end Deakon Tonielli (88) warms up before the spring game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, April 18, 2026. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The tight end position was in flux for almost the entire 2025 season with nagging injuries to Marlin Klein and most of the depth chart. But heading into 2026, there is room for someone to step up, and one name to watch is redshirt junior Deakon Tonielli.
The story so far
In the first two seasons of his career, Tonielli did not see the field because of the depth the Michigan Wolverines had at the position. He took a redshirt year in 2023 as the Wolverines won the national championship. A year later, he was a headliner on the scout team, earning player of the week twice, but never seeing action.
That hard work, specifically on special teams, paid off in 2025, where he played in all 13 games and was the team’s Most Improved Player on the unit. Because of injuries in the tight end room, Tonielli actually made two starts last season, catching eight passes for 72 yards.
As a former four-star recruit and the No. 20 tight end in class of 2023, Tonielli has the pedigree to make an impact in the next two seasons for the Wolverines.
Outlook for 2026
There are three names to know in the tight end room for the fall: Hogan Hansen, Zack Marshall and Tonielli. One of those three is expected to breakout and be the new face of the unit. Luckily, Kyle and Freddie Whittingham have a history of developing stand out tight ends, and Freddie has spoken positively about the depth in the room.
“I think the, the depth is strong,” Freddie said on In The Trenches. “Zack (Marshall) was not able to practice, recovering from a shoulder surgery that he had in January. But Hogan Hansen, he came on really strong. He showed himself to be a threat in the passing game. Big target, good hands, goes up high and gets the ball.
“And then Deakon Tonielli also, he has some real physical traits. He can run, he’s athletic, he put some good tape out there too, so felt really good about the depth of the position.”
If I had to guess where Tonielli is today, it’s likely behind the other two mentioned in this article. But he is the largest of the trio at 6-foot-5 and 246 pounds. Because of that, I see him mixing in during goal-line and short-yardage packages that could allow him to snag a few touchdowns this season. If he delivers, he could see increases in playing time throughout the year.
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