All-Big Ten tight end Colston Loveland was one of the best players at his position in the nation and now looks to enter the NFL Draft. Loveland is primed to be a weapon at the next level and will surely be more productive in the NFL than he was in college.
Colston Loveland’s Draft Profile and Measurements
- Height: 6’4″
- Weight: 245 pounds
- Position: TE
- School: Michigan
- Current Year: Junior
Loveland’s Scouting Report
Loveland was born in Goldendale, Wash., but moved to Gooding, Idaho as a child. He played high school football at Gooding High School and also starred as a basketball player. Loveland was a high-profile recruit and was the top-ranked prospect in the state of Idaho and received many offers from the top programs in the nation but chose to play for the Michigan Wolverines.
As a freshman, Loveland appeared in 14 games for the Wolverines, starting six of them. He wasn’t a big factor in the Wolverines’ offense until his sophomore year when he became a full-time starter. Loveland developed a strong chemistry with quarterback J.J. McCarthy and was a major reason why the team won the College Football Playoff National Championship in 2024.
As a junior, Loveland continued his success, but the lack of productive quarterback play and the run-oriented offense hurt his level of production. Loveland put his name into the NFL Draft pool after his junior season and will be one of the first tight ends off the board come April.
Strengths
- Has impressive suddenness and quick-twitch movements that aren’t common for players of his size.
- Outstanding body control and ball skills to play the ball in the air.
- Seam stretcher with excellent straight-line speed and acceleration.
- Instinctive football player who knows how to uncover in zone and make himself an easy target for the quarterback.
- Fluid and smooth mover who can sink his hips and get out of the break cleanly.
- Good with the ball in his hands and can create after the catch with a good overall change of direction.
- Has position flexibility as he can align attached to the line of scrimmage or flexed out and operate as a big wideout.
Weaknesses
- Not imposing at the point of attack and won’t be counted on to be a difference-making run blocker.
- Lack of production is a concern but likely stems from the offense he was in during college.
- Battled injuries in his final season at the collegiate level.
Current Draft Projection and Summary
In an extremely talented tight end class, Loveland is one of my personal favorites. A big-time recruit who came to college with plenty of expectations, he more than lived up to them despite not playing in a pass-first offense. With that said, the tight end’s immense talent popped off the screen when watching Michigan’s offense.
Loveland is a long and lean tight end prospect with excellent overall athleticism. He is a natural receiving tight end who was grossly under-used throughout his collegiate career. He aligned all over the formation for the Wolverines but was at his best operating detached from the line of scrimmage and in the slot.
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Loveland is a smooth mover with good speed off the line of scrimmage. He is a long strider who quickly chews up grass and gets down the field. He flashes very good overall straight-line speed and has the ability to stretch the seam vertically.
What is so exciting about Loveland’s game is the fluidity and suddenness with which he plays. He not only has the vertical speed to stress the defense, but he has the quickness and flexibility to stop on a dime, sink his hips, and create separation.
He runs routes like a smaller receiver and is a mismatch facing linebackers and most safeties. Additionally, Loveland has excellent yards after the catch ability and is a true threat with the ball in his hands with his speed and ability to change direction.
Loveland is a highly instinctive player who has a very good feel for space. He understands where he is on the field at all times and can find space in zone coverage to allow himself to be an open target for his quarterback. Loveland has an incredible catch radius and outstanding hands, ball skills, and body control. He has everything you want as a receiving tight end, and a creative offensive coordinator will enjoy utilizing his unique skillset.
Even though the NFL is a passing league, tight ends are still required to block, and that is where Lovland leaves you wanting more. He does not have sufficient strength at the point of attack and does not generate movement when attached. He is a position-and-wall-off blocker who does play with effort in this phase, but ultimately, he is best used as a detached weapon rather than your traditional “Y” tight end.
Overall, Loveland has an exciting receiving profile that is a perfect fit for today’s NFL. His lack of physicality as a blocker may limit him as an every-down player, but his pass-game upside will still have NFL decision-makers giddy. Look for him to be a top-20 pick come this year’s NFL Draft.
