Tag: Marlin Klein

2024 Spring Football Preview: Tight End

2023 Starters: Colston Loveland, A.J. Barner
Losses: Barner (NFL), Matt Hibner (transfer)
Returning players: Max Bredeson (RS Jr.), Loveland (Jr.), Marlin Klein (RS So.), Zack Marshall (RS Fr.), Deakon Tonielli (RS Fr.)
Newcomer: Brady Prieskorn (Fr.)
Projected starters: Klein, Loveland

The tight end position is the one that has perhaps separated Michigan from so many other teams over the past several years. Not only has Michigan had some quality players in the role, but the number, usage, and motion of the tight ends have become staples of Michigan’s offensive approach.

Probably the best tight end to come along during Jim Harbaugh’s tenure was Colston Loveland (45 catches, 649 yards, 4 touchdowns), a rising junior who has the athleticism of some of the elite tight ends playing in the NFL. He’s good enough that this is probably his last season in Ann Arbor before getting drafted in 2025.

One-time Indiana transfer A.J. Barner (22 catches, 249 yards, 1 touchdown) was an excellent blocker and underrated pass catcher, but he’s headed to the NFL in next month’s draft. It appears the next guy in line to play a bunch of snaps in Barner’s place is Marlin Klein, a 6’6″, 250-pounder who had just 1 catch for 8 yards last fall. He needed to put on some weight early in his career, but he seems to finally be reaching a good playing weight to handle some of the blocking duties.

It’s also important to mention quasi-starting tight end Max Bredeson, who plays more of a fullback position but nonetheless started four games last season. He caught 2 passes for 19 yards altogether, but he’s a bruising blocker. At 6’2″ and 240 lbs., he’s unlikely to move into a true tight end role and will probably carry on as a fullback.

Redshirt freshman Zack Marshall (6’4″, 232) played in two games last year while redshirting, and classmate Deakon Tonielli (6’5″, 251) has some decent size already but did not get any experience. The most likely returning player to step into Klein’s role as the #3 tight end seems to be Marshall, who should be a little bigger this spring (and fall).

One of the most intriguing names, though, is freshman early enrollee Brady Prieskorn (6’6″, 220), who was a 4-star and the #129 overall player in the class of 2024. He’s an all-around tight end somewhat in the mold of Loveland in that he’s a good athlete who’s not afraid of contact. His physical development is going to be key in determining how ready he is to step on the field this fall. But if he’s even borderline ready from a physical standpoint, we could see him begin to emerge this spring as someone who could jump over Marshall and Tonielli to become that #3 tight end.

2023 Season Countdown: #77 Marlin Klein

Name: Marlin Klein
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 245 lbs.
High school: Rabun Gap (GA) Nacoochee
Position: Tight end
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #17
Last year: I ranked Klein #89 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He played in two games.
TTB Rating: 81

Klein never had much of a chance to play significant snaps in 2022. Not only did Michigan have a glut of tight ends, but Klein was built very slight. At his height and just 215 pounds, he was never going to hold up against Big Ten defensive linemen or linebackers, and even some safeties probably could have pushed him around. So he got in the game at the end of a couple blowouts against Hawaii and UConn and that was it.

This year he has more of a chance, and I think we will see him start to emerge. Several tight ends moved on from last year’s team, so Klein moves up the depth chart a little bit. He is also listed at 245 this season, though he still looked pretty skinny in the spring game. I think blocking is still a major issue for Klein, so I don’t foresee him playing a significant role in 2023. However, multiple players/coaches have mentioned in interviews that he’s a bit of a freak athlete. The first three guys are probably Colston Loveland, A.J. Barner, and Matt Hibner, and Klein has a shot to be mixing in after that, along with Max Bredeson.

Prediction: Backup tight end

Thoughts on 2023 Spring Game

Okay, it’s time to put some thoughts about the spring game on paper.

QUARTERBACK: We know what J.J. McCarthy brings to the table, and Michigan was never going to let him factor into the run game, so whatever. This comes down to thoughts on the backups. After watching Michigan have a good 1-2 punch the past two years with McCarthy and Cade McNamara, there is a big question mark at the #2 quarterback spot in 2023. I thought redshirt sophomore Davis Warren once again outplayed the competition, which comes from Alex Orji and Indiana transfer Jack Tuttle. Tuttle had a couple decent throws and showed some decent athleticism on the run, but Warren is more accurate and probably a better decision maker, despite the fact that Tuttle is a sixth-year player. Orji has decent arm strength but leaves something to be desired when it comes to his timing and accuracy; running is the best part of his game, and he’s a change-up guy. I would put him at #4 on the depth chart.

Hit the jump for more.

2022 Season Countdown: #89 Marlin Klein

Name: Marlin Klein
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 215 lbs.
High school: Rabun Gap (GA) Nacoochee
Position: Tight end
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #17
Last year: Klein was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 22 catches for 303 yards and 3 touchdowns.
TTB Rating: 81

Klein is an impressive athlete who comes from a little way off the beaten path. A native of Germany, he ended up at a private school on the border of Georgia and North Carolina. The competition isn’t great and Klein didn’t even put up great numbers, but he claims 4.5 speed at 6’6″ and 215+ pounds. He certainly looks the part of a quality tight end, but he will have to adjust to significantly better competition, and he will need to get in the weight room.

Tight end is a difficult position to play as a true freshman, at least with any proficiency. Michigan has recruited more physically advanced tight ends who haven’t seen the field much as true freshmen. On top of several quality tight ends already available (Erick All, Joel Honigford, Luke Schoonmaker), Michigan has a fairly experienced walk-on in Carter Selzer and some inexperienced guys with a year or two in the weight room already. I don’t expect to see Klein on the field in 2022 unless it’s at the end of a blowout victory.

Prediction: Redshirt

Class of 2022 Senior Highlights: TE Marlin Klein