Much of the 2023 Michigan football offense has departed Ann Arbor and is training for the NFL draft. The Wolverines have to replace key players like J.J. McCarthy, Blake Corum, Roman Wilson, Cornelius Johnson, and the entire offensive line.

But one thing that bodes well for Michigan is that it brings back the nation’s top tight end, Colston Loveland. As a true sophomore, Loveland was Michigan’s second-leading receiving target behind Roman Wilson. The Idaho native caught for 649 yards and four touchdowns.

According to Pro Football Focus, Loveland’s 649 yards is the most of any returning tight end this season. After knowing that stat, and the potential Loveland has, it’s no wonder PFF ranked Loveland No. 1 on its top 10 tight end rankings heading into 2024.

Loveland went from a promising freshman to one of the nation’s best tight ends as a sophomore. He finished as the fourth-most valuable FBS tight end this past season according to PFF’s wins above average metric and was fifth among them in receiving yards (649). 

Loveland’s elite athleticism at 6-foot-5, 245 pounds makes him nearly unguardable. His 88.7% open-target rate in 2023 placed him in the 97th percentile for all tight ends in the country. 

Whomever wins the quarterback job this fall, they will have a legit threat in Loveland through the air. Mix in some Semaj Morgan and Tyler Morris — Michigan could have another lethal passing attack in ’24.

Here’s how PFF’s top 10 went: