Michigan Football: Elite tight end from 2021 set to visit Wolverines

Michigan football will be hosting one of the top tight ends in the 2021 class later this month at a position that could use reinforcements.

One position that Michigan football is attacking in the 2021 recruiting class is tight end. The Wolverines have expressed interest in a number of highly-sought targets and seem especially focused on landing an elite tight end after missing out on Theo Johnson in 2020.

Matthew Hibner did come aboard as part of the 2020 class and the 6-foot-4 tight end did make a big jump in the rankings. He became a four-star prospect and he has a bright future but he’s probably not the mismatch that Johnson would have been.

The other problem is that Hibner was the only tight end to commit in the 2020 class. The year before that, in 2019, Michigan football also did have a big group of tight ends join the roster. In fact, the only one was four-star Erick All, who turned some heads last spring.

It’s not a secret that tight ends aren’t going to play as big a role under the Josh Gattis offensive system as they did under Jim Harbaugh, however, a good move tight end is hard to find and one that has the Wolverines interested in four-star Louis Hansen.

Hansen has an offer from Michigan, as well as a bunch of other power-5 offers including from Ohio State, Penn State, Iowa, LSU, Florida and many others. He’s ranked 187th overall according to the 247 sports composite rankings and among tight ends, he’s No. 8 in 2021. Here’s his scouting report from 247 sports’ Brian Dohn:

"Excellent frame with length. Plays receiver and lines up wide and in slot. Great body type for tight end. Will be able to carry 240 pounds easily. Tracks ball and high points it. Uses length and size well. Sets up routes well. Is quick in and out of breaks. Will have to learn how to be inline tight end. Needs to sink hips when he blocks. Adding upper body strength is a must. Multi-year starter at Top 20 program. Day 3 NFL draft potential."

As you can tell, blocking isn’t necessarily Hansen’s strong suit but it doesn’t have to be. Michigan wants playmakers at that position, just look at All. He’s not an in-line blocker by any means if Hansen comes to Michigan, he could be in the slot as much as he’s on the line of scrimmage.

Hansen, who told The Michigan Insider ($) that he talks with Michigan every day, will according to the site, visit Ann Arbor on March 25.

The Massachusetts product doesn’t have any crystal ball predictions at this point, however, if the Wolverines can keep up the pressure, with their connections in the state, they could establish themselves as the favorite.