Michigan’s football identity has been built around a relentless running attack, a tradition that still shapes the way the coaching staff evaluates talent on the offensive line and at the skill positions.
The tight end landscape
At the top of the depth chart, Zack Marshall is slated to inherit the starting role for the 2026 season. In 2025 he recorded 16 receptions for 199 yards and a touchdown, numbers that illustrate his reliability as a blocker and a short‑range target in a scheme that values physicality.
Behind Marshall, Hogan Hansen is expected to serve as the second‑string option. Hansen showed flashes of promise during the 2024 campaign but missed much of 2025 due to injury, leaving his readiness for a larger role uncertain.
Other names on the roster include Deakon Tonielli and Jalen Hoffman, both of whom have seen limited action in recent seasons. Their contributions have been modest, and the group as a whole is not expected to be a major source of production.
The Wolverines’ depth at running back and wide receiver eases the pressure on the tight end position, allowing the staff to view the unit as adequate rather than elite. Analysts have graded the room at a C+ for the upcoming season, reflecting its middling talent level.
While the tight ends may not headline the offense, their role in sustaining the run game and providing occasional pass‑catching options remains integral to Michigan’s balanced attack.