Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Michigan Wolverines tight end Colston Loveland (18) reacts after making a catch against the Washington Huskies during the fourth quarter in the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Colston Loveland TE Michigan | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Colston Loveland TE Michigan
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Slot Receiving TE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 02/07/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.70 seconds (70%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 20.10 DOB: 04/09/2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Slot Receiving TE | |
| Last Updated: 02/07/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.70 seconds (70%*) | |
| Age: 20.10 DOB: 04/09/2004 | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 87.4 / 100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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77% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 88.2 | |
| Hands: |
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77% |
| Short Receiving: |
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89% |
| Intermediate Routes: |
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92% |
| Deep Threat: |
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93% |
| Blocking: |
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50% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
1st - Mid
Overall Rank:
#20
Position rank:
#2
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| College Games: 38 College Snaps: 1291 | ||
ESPN RATING: 79/100
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247 RATING: 91/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.8 (95%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pat Freiermuth - Penn State |
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88% |
| Tucker Kraft - South Dakota State |
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86% |
| Michael Mayer - Notre Dame |
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80% |
Draft Profile: Bio
From the small town of Bliss, Idaho to the bright lights of Michigan Stadium, Colston Loveland's journey is a testament to his rare athletic gifts. The former basketball standout rewrote the record books at Gooding High School, setting marks for single-game (19) and single-season (91) receptions while dominating as a two-way player. His multi-sport background and natural receiving ability caught Michigan's eye, where he quickly emerged as more than just another tight end in the Wolverines' run-heavy attack.Loveland's impact was immediate in Ann Arbor, earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors as a freshman before blossoming into a first-team All-Big Ten selection as a sophomore. His junior campaign saw him shatter Michigan's single-season reception record for tight ends with 56 catches, earning second-team All-American honors while helping lead the Wolverines to a national championship. Throughout his career, Loveland consistently produced despite playing in an offense that prioritized the ground game, finishing with over 1,500 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in three seasons.
The former four-star recruit developed into much more than just a receiving threat, though his blocking remains a work in progress. His basketball background shows up in his exceptional body control and catch radius, while his 4.70 speed allows him to stress defenses vertically. After three years of steady progression and increasing production against elite competition, Loveland declared for the draft as one of the most intriguing offensive weapons in the class.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Exceptional athlete for the position who plays like an oversized receiver - fluid movement skills and acceleration jump off the tape against Ohio State and Alabama
- Natural hands catcher with a massive catch radius - consistently extends away from his frame to snag throws, showing strong grip strength through contact
- Nasty route runner who creates separation with sudden breaks and savvy timing - repeatedly burned linebackers on option routes against Penn State
- Basketball background shines through in contested situations - boxes out defenders and high-points the ball like he's grabbing rebounds in traffic
- Dangerous seam threat with build-up speed to stretch defenses vertically - burned Washington for a 45-yard TD showing his field-stretching ability
- Shows some dog in him after the catch - runs angry and has the agility to make defenders miss in space while picking up chunk yards
- Versatile chess piece who can align anywhere - took snaps inline, in slot, and out wide while producing from all alignments
- Quick processor who finds soft spots against zone coverage - consistently gives his QB an open target by settling in voids
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Blocking technique and play strength remain works in progress - gets overwhelmed by power rushers and struggles to sustain blocks through the whistle
- Can round off his breaks at times rather than making sharp cuts - allows defenders to stay in phase on timing routes
- Still filling out his frame and needs to add functional strength - gets pushed around too easily at point of attack in run game
- Will have occasional focus drops when trying to run before securing the catch - had three crucial drops against Penn State in 2024
- Raw as a pass protector with limited experience staying in to block - will need significant development in this area for three-down role
Scouting Report: Summary
Loveland projects as a dynamic receiving tight end who can create mismatches from multiple alignments in the passing game. His combination of size, athleticism and natural receiving skills gives him legitimate Pro Bowl upside if he lands with a creative play-caller who will maximize his strengths. While he needs continued development as a blocker, his ability to stress defenses vertically and win in contested situations makes him an immediate contributor in the passing game.The evolution of NFL offenses and increased emphasis on "move" tight ends makes Loveland an ideal fit for teams heavily utilizing 12 personnel packages. His best role early will be as a detached "F" tight end who can work from the slot while he develops the strength and technique needed for consistent inline work. With his trajectory pointing sharply upward and room still to grow physically, Loveland could emerge as one of the league's premier receiving tight ends by his second contract.
On film study, Loveland reminds me of a young Tyler Higbee with more explosive athletic traits. His instant impact potential in the passing game and youth (won't turn 21 until after the draft) should make him a coveted target for teams looking to add dynamic weapons to their aerial attack. While he may never be George Kittle as a blocker, Loveland's ceiling as a receiver makes him worthy of a selection in the late first round for teams with an established inline tight end already on the roster.
Written By:
K.C. Martinez (Big Ten)
How other scouting services rate Colston Loveland (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
23.2
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
2.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.