Under Kyle Whittingham, tight ends look to make their mark in Michigan's offense

Ann Arbor — The tight ends have played an active role in Michigan’s offense the last several years and are expected to be integral under new Wolverines head coach Kyle Whittingham.

Proof will come this season, of course, when Whittingham, who spent the last 21 seasons as Utah's head coach, unveils the team. But the spring game on Saturday at Michigan Stadium will offer an early peek at what’s to come at tight end and across the board.

For tight ends Hogan Hansen, who spent much of last season sidelined by injury, and Deakon Tonielli, they’re looking forward to having breakout seasons. They also like having clean slates with a new staff. Hansen told reporters on Wednesday that the way the tight ends are being used is similar to what has been run previously at Michigan but with some tweaks.

“Definitely some differences to being put in positions on the perimeter that maybe we haven't been,” Hansen said. “Maybe some more perimeter blocking, things like that.”

Michigan tight end Hogan Hansen (80) was limited to four games last season due to injuries.

Hansen was considered a player who was going to take a big step last season, but he revealed on Wednesday some of the health issues he was dealing with. He had a shoulder injury early in the season and then a soft-tissue injury throughout the year.

“This is the healthiest I've been, honestly, since I've been here and participating in all of spring ball,” Hansen said. “So trying to build off that. Definitely had some health problems last year, but feeling great going into this year.”

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Hansen played in four games and had six catches for 74 yards, and Tonielli had eight catches for 72 yards. Tight end Marlin Klein, who's waiting to hear his name called next week during the NFL Draft, was the team’s third-leading receiver, and he wasn’t always healthy. With Klein limited at times along with Hansen, Zack Marshall saw the field more.

“I want to go succeed this year, and I think I can,” Hansen said. “I think I can do it all, especially in this offense. So whether that's blocking on the perimeter, running down the seam, going up and catching the ball, I'm just excited to be healthy and contribute.”

He feels he can fill a role similar to that of former Wolverine Colston Loveland, who was an early first-round pick last year by Chicago.

“I'd say when I was getting recruited here, that was definitely a big pull, like seeing someone from the Pacific Northwest and the way he moves and runs his routes,” Hansen said “And I definitely try to model my game after him. I'm just excited to go put it out there this year.”

Tonielli, who didn’t play his first two seasons (2023 and 2024), played in every game last season, including two in which he only participated on special teams. He was named the team’s Most Improved Player on special teams last season and made two starts at tight end.

Perhaps it was his play on special teams that helped develop his attitude, but when asked if he’d rather catch a ball over the middle or make a devastating hit blocking, Tonielli chose the latter.

“I'd rather lay out someone because of that feeling of dominance,” Tonielli said. “That's awesome to me, and that feeling of being able to inflict that onto somebody legally, that's good.”

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Tonielli said he watched a lot of Utah film so he’d be better prepared in terms of knowing what to expect from the new staff. He liked what he saw from the usage of the tight ends. He saw them being dominant in the offense and blocking a lot. Tonielli said he’s ready to play a major role this fall.

“My next step, honestly, is just to be consistent on the field and play every game and have a real impact in making this team win,” Tonielli said. “Last year helped me just with the experience, getting those jitters out. Obviously, I've been here for three years now, going on four and only playing last year. I was able to get that real experience so that just that was the biggest thing I needed, was to get the jitters out, feel the game, feel the speed and everything, and this year, just go out and dominate with that.”

He said the new staff has given him more confidence.

“Trusting in them has instilled more confidence in myself," Tonielli said, "and knowing that they're going to help me and push me to be my best."

achengelis@detroitnews.com

@chengelis

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Michigan tight ends look to make their mark in Kyle Whittingham's offense