When it comes to Michigan football, the tight end position has always been a cornerstone of the offense—yet this offseason, it's flying under the radar. With a new head coach in Kyle Whittingham and his brother Freddie taking the reins of the tight end room, there's a quiet buzz building around a group that's "unheralded" but brimming with potential.

Freddie Whittingham recently joined Jon Jansen on the In the Trenches podcast to break down what fans can expect from this unit in the new-look offense. While the run game will be a major focus under coordinator Jason Beck, Whittingham made it clear that the tight ends are poised to play a pivotal role—both as blockers and as pass-catching threats.

"I think the depth is strong," Whittingham said. "The two guys that are the fullback types—Jalen Hoffman and Eli Owens—both had great springs. Both had a lot of production this spring. Feeling good about where they are to be able to help out in their role."

But the potential doesn't stop there. Whittingham highlighted several other players who stepped up during spring practices, despite some injury setbacks. "Zack was not able to practice, recovering from a shoulder surgery that he had in January, but Hogan Hansen—he came on really strong. He showed himself to be a threat in the passing game. Big target, good hands, goes up high and gets the ball. And then Deakon Tonielli. Also, he has some real physical traits. He can run, he's athletic, he put some good tape out there, too. So felt really good about the depth of the position."

So what does this mean for how the tight ends will be used on game day? Whittingham is enthusiastic about the group's growth in all facets of the game—not just catching passes, but also blocking in both the run and pass game. It's that versatility that could make this unit a hidden weapon in Michigan's offensive arsenal.

"Coming out of spring, I saw some things that we improved on," Whittingham added. The progress is clear, and for a group that's been quietly building depth and talent, the tight ends might just be the X-factor that elevates the Wolverines' offense to new heights this season.