Under Kyle Whittingham, tight ends look to make their mark in Michigan's offense

Ann Arbor — The tight ends have played an active role in Michigan’s offense the last several years and are expected to be integral under new Wolverines head coach Kyle Whittingham. Proof will come this season, of course, when Whittingham, who spent the last 21 seasons as Utah's head coach, unveils the team. But the spring game on Saturday at Michigan Stadium will offer an early peek at what’s to come at tight end and across the board.

For tight ends Hogan Hansen, who spent much of last season sidelined by injury, and Deakon Tonielli, they’re looking forward to having breakout seasons. They also like having clean slates with a new staff. Hansen told reporters on Wednesday that the way the tight ends are being used is similar to what has been run previously at Michigan but with some tweaks.

“Definitely some differences to being put in positions on the perimeter that maybe we haven't been,” Hansen said. “Maybe some more perimeter blocking, things like that. ” Hansen was considered a player who was going to take a big step last season, but he revealed on Wednesday some of the health issues he was dealing with.

He had a shoulder injury early in the season and then a soft-tissue injury throughout the year. “This is the healthiest I've been, honestly, since I've been here and participating in all of spring ball,” Hansen said. “So trying to build off that.