Michigan Football Sleepers For 2023: Tight End
Michigan has stacked up two incredible seasons in a row and is riding as high as ever under Jim Harbaugh. In fact, the Wolverines are returning 81% of its production from last year's team, which included a win over Ohio State, a Big Ten title and a second straight appearance in the College Football Playoff. That production mark is good for 5th in the entire country and 1st in the Big Ten. Because of that, there aren't many question marks on the roster.
Conversely, there are quite a few positions that are completely solidified — quarterback and running back being two of them. Things also feel quite sturdy at tight end. Luke Schoonmaker was the second-leading pass catcher on the team last year, but rising sophomore Colston Loveland looks like a future All-American ready to break out. Throw in Indiana transfer AJ Barner and the position looks just fine.
In 2022, Loveland caught 16 balls for 235 yards and two scores. Those numbers aren't exactly eye-popping, but he looked beyond impressive on the two touchdowns and is clearly ready to take a big, big step in 2023. Barner was at Indiana last year, where he caught 28 passes for 199 yards and three touchdowns. He's not the athlete or pass-catching threat that Loveland will be, but he's 6-6, 250 pounds and he's going to play a lot. Behind those two, we'll see. My sleeper from the group — Matthew Hibner.
We all know that Jim Harbaugh is going to use multiple tight ends. We will see four of them on the field at once throughout the year and I think Hibner has a chance to make a few plays. During Michigan's spring game in April, Hibner caught two balls for 62 yards, including one for 52 yards where he showed off speed most didn't know he had. Loveland and Barner are going to be TE1 and TE2, but others will get snaps. I don't expect Hibner to make a lot of catches or be a focal point in the offense, but it wouldn't surprise me if he had a couple of long receptions and a score or two on the season.
