Colston Loveland, Michigan tight end, selected 10th by Bears

Angelique S. Chengelis, The Detroit News on Apr 24, 2025

Published in Football

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Tight end Colston Loveland, Michigan’s leading receiver last season, is now a Chicago Bear after being selected 10th overall Thursday night.

Loveland was considered one of the top two tight ends in the draft, neck and neck with Penn State’s Tyler Warren. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper rated Loveland No. 12 on his big board. During his Michigan career, Loveland (6-foot-5, 245 pounds) had 117 catches for 1,466 yards and 11 touchdowns in three seasons.

Last season was particularly challenging, considering he played with a right shoulder injury suffered in the game against Arkansas State. He pushed through the rest of the season, but missed the Ohio State game because of a concussion.

“I just want to play ball, so there was never a thought about not playing,” Loveland said after Michigan’s Pro Day. “I feel like I had a lot on my plate, which I’d want it no other way. That’s why I was dying to get back out there all the time. I needed to go out there and help the team win.”

He underwent surgery on Jan. 29 to repair the AC joint in the shoulder.

Michigan tight ends coach Steve Casula said last season that Loveland, a junior, was absolutely NFL ready.

“If he's not ready to go play in the NFL, I don't know who would be,” Casula said. “He's outstanding. I think when you compare his movement skills, his athleticism, ball skills, all that kind of stuff, I think you could compare him against NFL players.”

NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah said on a conference call that Loveland is similar to Kansas City’s Travis Kelce.

“A little more option routes, getting in and out of breaks, a little more fluid,” Jeremiah said. “And someone who can make you miss after the catch, but not quite as a physical player as you have with Tyler Warren.”

Loveland told reporters he prides himself on his fluidity, route-running, knowledge of the game and his hands. The knock on Loveland might be his blocking but Michigan needed him to be productive as a receiver.

“I’d say it’s pretty good,” Loveland said of his blocking. “I don’t get asked to do it as much especially the last year, with the injury I wasn’t asked too much.”

He grew as a leader last season. Michigan was 8-5 last season, and after a loss at Illinois, with the defending national champion Wolverines knocked out of College Football Playoff contention, Loveland said the team would not quit. He said last season was the most impactful learning experience of his college career.

“Going through some adversity, losing games — hadn’t lost many games in my career — and going through this injury,” Loveland said. “Losses are never good and it sucks, but turning the losses into wins and learning something from it, that was a big thing for me. I learned a lot. Just blessed to go through that and kinda know how to handle that.”