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Lindsay Budin, a University of Michigan student and contributor to Maize n Brew since 2024, reports on the recent developments surrounding Michigan’s football team, particularly focusing on freshman tight end Hogan Hansen.
Following a challenging start for quarterback Davis Warren, Michigan’s Alex Orji stepped in during Week 3 against Arkansas State. In a crucial moment late in the game, Orji connected with Hansen for a nine-yard touchdown pass. This was particularly noteworthy as it marked Hansen’s debut in college football, stepping in due to an injury to fellow tight end Colston Loveland.
Reflecting on his unexpected opportunity, Hansen expressed his excitement: “I got told like a minute before I was maybe going in and running that play. Once the ball was snapped, I just blacked out; I wasn’t thinking about much, so the next thing I know, I’m just celebrating with all my teammates.”
Despite this impressive touchdown, Hansen’s impact diminished in subsequent games against USC, Minnesota, and Washington, where he did not register any catches. This lack of involvement is not unusual for freshmen, who often spend their first season acclimating to the collegiate level and observing from the sidelines.
However, Hansen was called upon again in a recent game against Illinois. When tight end Marlin Klein suffered an injury and had to be carted off the field, Hansen took advantage of the opportunity. After managing only one reception in his first four games, he caught four passes against Illinois, totaling 50 receiving yards—the second-highest total among Michigan players that day, following Loveland.
“I’m just trying to stay ready up to this point,” Hansen remarked. “Because you never know, things can change just like that.” His resilience was evident, especially since three of his four catches occurred during Michigan’s last-ditch effort in the fourth quarter while trailing by 14 points.
It’s important to note that much of Hansen’s involvement against Illinois stemmed from Klein’s injury. Fortunately, head coach Sherrone Moore indicated optimism about Klein’s potential return this week, suggesting he might not have suffered a serious setback.
Should Klein remain sidelined in the upcoming game against the Spartans, Michigan will need Hansen to contribute significantly at tight end. While his experience has been limited, Hansen has demonstrated the ability to step up when called upon.
Thus far, Hansen’s contributions have primarily come in less critical situations. His touchdown against Arkansas State occurred when Michigan was leading comfortably, and his receptions against Illinois came during a desperate last drive when the team was under significant pressure.
Moving forward, if Hansen is tasked with filling Klein’s role, he will need to rise to the occasion and perform in high-pressure situations. Building on his performance against Illinois could be pivotal, potentially making him a key player for Michigan as they face the Spartans this weekend.
In summary, Hansen’s journey illustrates the unpredictability of college football, particularly for freshmen. As he navigates this transition, his readiness and ability to seize opportunities will be critical to Michigan’s success in the coming games.
