Michigan football TE Hogan Hansen explains recent rise in production
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Michigan football TE Hogan Hansen explains recent rise in production
Isaiah Hole, Wolverines Wire·Wolverines Wire
·
2 min read
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ANN ARBOR, Mich. --The past few seasons have been tough on Michigan football tight end Hogan Hansen. Hansen got some early run in his freshman year, in 2024, playing behind Colston Loveland and Marlin Klein. He only had seven catches for 78 yards and a touchdown, but he appeared to be the heir apparent to Loveland as a premier pass-catching tight end. But in 2025, Hansen was injured and only appeared in four games, with just six catches for 74 yards. Injuries persisted into 2026, but Hansen has played in six of Michigan's eight games and has started to come on strong the past few weeks.
He has a career-high 13 catches for 128 yards, with his best effort having come against Indiana, when he had four receptions for 34 yards.
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"I think it just happened naturally," Hansen said on Tuesday. "Just like finally putting together a full, complete season, being healthy, stacking weeks on weeks, and just the way our offense has naturally developed over the year."
Michigan forward J.P. Estrella (13) tries to block Oakland guard Nassim Mashhour (0) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Michigan guard Trey McKenney (1) dribbles against Oakland guard Ryder Bradley (3) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Michigan forward Jalen Reed (19) makes a layup against Oakland forward Belal El Shakery (24) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Michigan guard Roddy Gayle Jr. (11) dunks against the Oakland during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Michigan guard Roddy Gayle Jr. (11) makes a jump shot against Oakland forward Chris Fields Jr. (2) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Michigan head coach Mike Boynton Jr. watches a play against the Oakland during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Michigan guard Elliot Cadeau (3) steals the ball from Oakland guard Ryder Bradley (3) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Michigan forward J.P. Estrella (13) passes the ball against Oakland forward Belal El Shakery (24) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Michigan guard Elliot Cadeau (3) dribbles against Oakland forward Camden Thompson (6) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Michigan forward Quinn Costello (8) makes a jump shot against the Oakland during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Michigan forward J.P. Estrella (13) makes a jump shot against Oakland forward Belal El Shakery (24) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Michigan forward Oscar Goodman (12) makes a layup against Oakland forward Chris Fields Jr. (2) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oakland head coach Greg Kampe reacts to a play against the Michigan during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Nov 2, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Richard "Rip" Hamilton formerly of the Detroit Pistons looks on from courtside of the game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Oakland Golden Grizzlies during the first half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images
(Brian Bradshaw Sevald, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Michigan guard Trey McKenney (1) looks to pass against Oakland guard RJ Taylor (10) and forward Chris Fields Jr. (2) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Michigan guard Elliot Cadeau (3) goes to the basket against Oakland guard Ryder Bradley (3) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
1/16
Photos: Michigan basketball opens season with win over Oakland
Michigan forward J.P. Estrella (13) tries to block Oakland guard Nassim Mashhour (0) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
1/16
Photos: Michigan basketball opens season with win over Oakland
Michigan forward J.P. Estrella (13) tries to block Oakland guard Nassim Mashhour (0) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
2/16
Photos: Michigan basketball opens season with win over Oakland
Michigan guard Trey McKenney (1) dribbles against Oakland guard Ryder Bradley (3) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
3/16
Photos: Michigan basketball opens season with win over Oakland
Michigan forward Jalen Reed (19) makes a layup against Oakland forward Belal El Shakery (24) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
4/16
Photos: Michigan basketball opens season with win over Oakland
Michigan guard Roddy Gayle Jr. (11) dunks against the Oakland during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
5/16
Photos: Michigan basketball opens season with win over Oakland
Michigan guard Roddy Gayle Jr. (11) makes a jump shot against Oakland forward Chris Fields Jr. (2) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
6/16
Photos: Michigan basketball opens season with win over Oakland
Michigan head coach Mike Boynton Jr. watches a play against the Oakland during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
7/16
Photos: Michigan basketball opens season with win over Oakland
Michigan guard Elliot Cadeau (3) steals the ball from Oakland guard Ryder Bradley (3) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
8/16
Photos: Michigan basketball opens season with win over Oakland
Michigan forward J.P. Estrella (13) passes the ball against Oakland forward Belal El Shakery (24) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
9/16
Photos: Michigan basketball opens season with win over Oakland
Michigan guard Elliot Cadeau (3) dribbles against Oakland forward Camden Thompson (6) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
10/16
Photos: Michigan basketball opens season with win over Oakland
Michigan forward Quinn Costello (8) makes a jump shot against the Oakland during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
11/16
Photos: Michigan basketball opens season with win over Oakland
Michigan forward J.P. Estrella (13) makes a jump shot against Oakland forward Belal El Shakery (24) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
12/16
Photos: Michigan basketball opens season with win over Oakland
Michigan forward Oscar Goodman (12) makes a layup against Oakland forward Chris Fields Jr. (2) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
13/16
Photos: Michigan basketball opens season with win over Oakland
Oakland head coach Greg Kampe reacts to a play against the Michigan during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
14/16
Photos: Michigan basketball opens season with win over Oakland
Nov 2, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Richard "Rip" Hamilton formerly of the Detroit Pistons looks on from courtside of the game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Oakland Golden Grizzlies during the first half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images
(Brian Bradshaw Sevald, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
15/16
Photos: Michigan basketball opens season with win over Oakland
Michigan guard Trey McKenney (1) looks to pass against Oakland guard RJ Taylor (10) and forward Chris Fields Jr. (2) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
16/16
Photos: Michigan basketball opens season with win over Oakland
Michigan guard Elliot Cadeau (3) goes to the basket against Oakland guard Ryder Bradley (3) during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Given that he hasn't been able to get into a rhythm until recently, it's simply been a situation where he's getting more playing time and getting more acclimated as the weeks go by. Thus, the more he plays, the more comfortable he's getting. And that's resulting in production.
"I wouldn't say it's too difficult in terms of like playing football," Hansen said. "I just think it's just a benefit to be able to stack weeks and not have to wait or be able to take a coaching point and apply it right away the next week and continuously get better that way."
The tight ends weren't heavily utilized in the early going of the season, much to the consternation ofWolverinesfans. But their use in the pass game has increased in recent weeks. Hansen has had seven catches in the past two weeks, Jalen Hoffman has four of his seven catches in that span, and Mason Bonner got his first career reception (for 27 yards) last week.
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Hansen says that he's happy to see that they're getting more utility, but it's not just that offensive coordinator Jason Beck is changing his philosophy -- the tight ends are stepping up, as well.
"I just think it's just kind of happened naturally over the season, and I think, if I'm not mistaken, we even said like, I don't think anyone in the tight end (room) would believe we're playing up to our standard at the start of the year," Hansen said. "And I think we've really developed and gotten better week by week. So it's been good to see how we come through on Saturdays."
They'll have another chance to make an impact on Saturday, when Michigan football hosts rivalMichigan Stateat The Big House. Kickoff is at 7:40 p.m. EST, and the game will be broadcast on the streaming service Peacock.
