Michigan added a significant offensive commitment to their 2022 haul on Sunday evening when Gooding (ID) four-star tight end Colston Loveland chose the Wolverines over LSU, Auburn, Alabama, Arizona State and a host of others. Loveland is the second tight end verbal of the class for Jay Harbaugh as the staff may finally get two prospects at the position after signing one each of the last four cycles.
Loveland’s recruitment has been steady as national programs took notice of his game as early as August of last year when Arizona State extended a scholarship offer. After that, schools like UCLA, Colorado and the aforementioned group of schools entered the race. After taking officials to Arizona State, Arizona and Oregon State, he took a visit to Michigan and 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions came in shortly thereafter.
He told 247Sports national analyst Brandon Huffman of his excitement regarding the visit to Ann Arbor.
“It was awesome,” Loveland told 247Sports National Analyst Brandon Huffman. “The culture and the people really stood out to me. I met with all of the coaches and the conversations were good. We talked ball and how coach (Jim) Harbaugh sees me in the offense.”
A one-time wide receiver, Loveland has the looks of a classic overgrown receiver turned into impact tight end. His junior film is what turned Michigan onto his game and he immediately became a top target after that point.
As mentioned, the Wolverines will also now have two verbal commitments at tight end as three-star Marlin Klein was the staff’s first verbal of the cycle. Michigan has looked to take a pair of players at the position the last few years but have missed on some major targets to pair with an early verbal commitment. Loveland gives them a well-rounded, high ceiling type to go with Klein, who is viewed as more of a flex, receiver type.
There were seven 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions in for the Wolverines at the time of Loveland’s commitment. As noted in a previous article, he will be the second scholarship player from the state of Idaho in the Michigan program in well over 100 years and only the third in program history.
With Loveland’s commitment, Michigan’s 2022 cycle still appears to be off to a strong start with five-star in-state cornerback Will Johnson committed early on along with four-star defender Kody Jones, four-star receiver Tyler Morris and three-star tight end Marlin Klein among others. A strong June netted them commitments from four-star quarterback Jayden Denegal, offensive lineman Alessandro Lorenzetti and edge Kevonte Henry. They have also emerged as 247Sports Crystal Ball favorites for a handful of prospects across the country.
One area the Wolverines continue to excel is in evaluations. In 2022, they have been among the first few offers for a ton of the top prospects in the country. Michigan hopes to continue this trend and build off of it with new recruiting director hire Courtney Morgan, who is replacing the departed Matt Dudek. Many in the coaching community view Morgan as a huge addition for the Wolverines.
“Court is a win for Michigan,” Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line coach Adrian Klemm told The Michigan Insider. “You can already see his impact before he’s even set foot in Ann Arbor. I’m originally from LA and it was something else to hear everyone back home tweeting, texting and calling about Michigan and Court (Tuesday) night! There’s an incredible buzz and it’s carried over into (Wednesday). He’s so connected and highly regarded by many of us, not just in the football community, but in the community as a whole. He’s passionate about football and a proud Michigan alum, but what is most impressive is his passion for helping young people and developing young men. His respect for the game fortified with his strong work ethic will be a huge asset to the Wolverines! I know he was for us during my time at UCLA. He led the charge in identifying talent nationwide and his deep roots out West, strong ties in the East, and connects in the Midwest got us in schools that we traditionally had struggled to get footing in. I’m so excited for him and I can’t wait to follow the team this year. He’s definitely going to make an immediate impact and do an incredible job!”
For a full list of Michigan’s 2022 verbal offer sheet, click HERE
For a full list of Michigan’s 2022 ‘top targets’ list, click HERE
For a full list of Michigan’s 2021 signees, click HERE
