Every offseason for Michigan football comes with curiosity and hope, much of which is focused on offense.
Heading into 2026, there’s optimism about Bryce Underwood’s development at quarterback. There’s belief about the running backs room that has the potential to be one of the best in the Big Ten. There’s confidence in a wide receiver room that’s been revamped. There’s a level of trust that the offensive line will take a step forward with so many familiar faces returning after a year of learning on the job.
But a position group that was relatively quiet, at least in the headlines, throughout the spring was tight end. That’s unusual in Ann Arbor. Each of the last four years, the Wolverines have had a tight end selected in the NFL Draft, which includes three going in one of the first two rounds after Marlin Klein was drafted No. 59 overall last month by the Houston Texans.
What does it mean for this year’s group for the Wolverines? Well, according to new offensive coordinator Jason Beck, his philosophy is not one that is predicated on position groups, but rather those who possess the skill set to influnce the game.
“If the tight end group’s a strong position, let’s get 12 personnel,” Beck said in the spring. “Whatever those skill players are that are going to help you score points to win games, let’s get those guys on the field and adapt it to them.”
Last year at Utah, Beck moved tight end Hunter Andrews all across the formation throughout the season. He lined up along the line, out wide, in the slot, in the backfield, and even at quarterback in a pseudo Wildcat package. Elsewhere, tight end Dallen Bentley finished second on the team in receptions (48), receiving yards (620) and tied for a team high with six receiving touchdowns.
Knowing Freddie Whittingham, the brother of head coach Kyle Whittingham, worked with Beck last year in Salt Lake City and understands the goals of the offense, those who play in his unit are aware they’ll need to adapt in various ways this season.
“[We’re] being put in positions on the perimeter that we haven’t been [in before],” junior Hogan Hansen said in April, before he added this spring is the healthiest he’s felt since putting on a U-M uniform. “Some more perimeter blocking, things like that.”
The starting tight end role is up for grabs, and there seem to be a few names on the list. Hansen is certainly one of them, as is Zack Marshall. He caught 16 passes for 199 yards and a touchdown last season, doing much of his work when Kelin and Hansen were injured.
Deakon Tonielli (eight grabs for 72 yards) could also factor into the mix, as could Jalen Hoffman, who’s seen as the Max Bredeson replacement as an H-back or a true run blocker. With a power spread attack, a mobile quarterback and an offense that intends to do work on the ground, the tight ends have embraced the idea of needing to play in-line at the point of contact.
“The whole room saw that and thought this is a good opportunity to show that we can fill that position,” senior Deakon Tonielli said of serving as a sixth offensive lineman. “You don’t need a rhino [U-M’s term for a swing tackle], you got us.”
After a rare down year for the position in Ann Arbor − where every tight end across the roster combined for 604 yards and two touchdowns, numbers Colston Loveland nearly matched (583 yards) or surpassed (five touchdowns) by himself in 2025 − there’s reason to expect more from the unit in 2026.
Just ask those who played for Whittingham and Beck last season.
“We are used in many different ways,” Bentley said according to KSL.com last year. “We’re playmakers, so whatever kind of abilities we have, they will utilize that. And that’s pretty great about this offense, with the creative play calling and the creative way that they’re using you.
Tony Garcia is the Michigan beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: For Michigan under OC Jason Beck, tight end could be Swiss Army knife
Reporting by Tony Garcia, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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