Tag: Louis Hansen

2022 Season Countdown: #57 Louis Hansen

Name: Louis Hansen
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 252 lbs.
High school: Needham (MA) St. Sebastian’s
Position: Tight end
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #81
Last year: I ranked Hansen #46 and said he would be a backup tight end (LINK). He played in one game.
TTB Rating: 84

Hansen looked to me like a freshman tight end who might actually be physically ready to play in 2021, and he’s a cautionary tale for the class of 2022 tight ends like Colston Loveland and Marlin Klein. Despite being over 250 pounds as a freshman, Hansen spent all but one game watching from the sideline as Erick All, Luke Schoonmaker, Joel Honigford, Trente Jones, and Carter Selzer gobbled up almost every snap.

This year every single one of those players returns. The one quasi-exception is Trente Jones, who’s moving back to his more natural position of offensive tackle, where he appears to be the favorite to start now that Andrew Stueber is gone. Michigan will probably employ a backup lineman as a “tight end” like they did with Jones, so not even that spot is really up for grabs for Hansen. Snaps are going to be limited, but I do think it’s time to work in some younger backups, because All, Schoonmaker, Honigford, and Selzer are all seniors with expiring eligibility (technically, All, Schoonmaker, and Selzer could use the COVID exemption to return in 2023). If the status quo remains, Michigan could very well enter 2023 with practically zero playing experience from its returning tight ends in Hansen, Matt Hibner, Loveland, and Klein, so I think Hansen might elbow his way into some playing time.

Prediction: Backup tight end

2021 Season Countdown: #46 Louis Hansen

Name: Louis Hansen
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 251 lbs.
High school: Needham (MA) St. Sebastian’s
Position: Tight end
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #81
Last year: Hansen was a senior in high school (LINK). His season was canceled due to COVID.
TTB Rating: 84

Hansen ended up ranked as a 4-star, the #11 tight end, and #274 overall. He played a lot of wide receiver in high school, as St. Sebastian’s figured he was the best athlete around, so they might as well put him out in space. He outjumped and outmuscled defensive backs regularly. He caught 39 passes for 548 yards and 8 touchdowns as a junior in 2019, but his senior season was canceled due to COVID.

If Michigan’s offense is anything like it has been for the past several years, Michigan needs a contributor at tight end. The Wolverines have lost Sean McKeon and Nick Eubanks to graduation over the past couple seasons, and that production has not really been replaced. Presumed starter Erick All has the body and athletic skills to take over, but he was plagued by drops in 2020. Fifth year senior Joel Honigford is just a blocker, and Luke Schoonmaker has been so-so as a blocker and receiver.

The most interesting change is with Ben Mason’s departure. Mason was basically a fullback, but he was listed as a tight end. Will Michigan get rid of that position and those formations because they no longer have a fullback-like guy? Or will they do similar things with a different guy? The #3 tight end only had 2 catches each of the past two seasons (Mason in 2020, Schoonmaker in 2019), but those players got plenty of snaps on the field as blockers, route runners, etc.

Hansen will see the field in 2021. He probably won’t catch a ton of balls, but he should get a few looks and has reportedly bulked up to over 250 pounds in order to get physically ready to take on Big Ten defenders.

Prediction: Backup tight end

Class of 2021: Historical Recruiting Comparisons

In case you’re not aware, I have a list of every Michigan recruit going back 20+ years and their rankings (LINK).

Below you will find each 2021 recruit and his closest ranked comparison by position in Michigan history. This might help boost – or temper – some expectations for what we will see from the class.

Hit the jump for the comparisons.

Louis Hansen, Wolverine

Needham (MA) St. Sebastian’s tight end Louis Hansen committed to Michigan on Thursday afternoon. He picked the Wolverines over offers from Florida, Georgia, LSU, and Ohio State, among others.

Hansen is listed at 6’4″ and 222 lbs. As a junior in 2019, he caught 39 passes for 548 yards.

RANKINGS
ESPN: 3-star TE
Rivals: 4-star, 5.9 grade, #4 TE, #66 overall
247 Sports: 3-star, 88 grade, #13 TE

Hit the jump for more.

Visitors (That Should Have Been): March 27-29, 2020

Just like last week, I’m publishing a “visitors list” of players who were supposed to visit this weekend. I realize they’re not visiting due to the coronavirus, but it still gives an indication about what players are prioritizing Michigan.

2021

Kechaun Bennett – DE – Suffield (CT) Suffield Academy: Bennett is a 6’4″, 220-pounder with offers from Duke, Miami, Michigan, and Notre Dame, among others. He’s a 4-star, the #22 strongside end, and #320 overall. In case you don’t remember, Suffield Academy is where Brad Hawkins spent his prep year before ending up at Michigan.

Louis Hansen – TE – Needham (MA) St. Sebastian’s: Hansen is a 6’4″, 222 lb. prospect with offers from Boston College, Georgia, Iowa, and Michigan, among others. He’s a 4-star, the #8 tight end, and #187 overall. Thomas Fidone is reportedly Michigan’s top priority at the position, but Michigan wants to take two, and Hansen is high on the list.

Najee Story – DE – Solon (OH) Solon: Story is a 6’4″, 235-pounder with offers from Alabama, Michigan, and Ohio State, among others. He’s a 4-star, the #17 strongside end, and #277 overall. The current crystal ball leader is, unsurprisingly, the home-state Buckeyes.