Loveland was born in 2004. He attended Gooding High School in Gooding, Idaho, where he starred in basketball and football.[1] He caught 235 passes (91 as a sophomore) for 3,141 yards and 35 touchdowns at Gooding.[2]
As a senior, he played tight end and linebacker, catching 62 passes for 968 yards and 14 touchdowns, leading the Gooding Senators (9-1) to the Class 3A semifinals. Loveland rushed for 352 yards and four touchdowns on 33 carries, and also recorded 57 tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks and two interceptions on defense.[3]
Loveland was rated as a four star recruit, a top 250 ranked player in the country and the No. 1 player in Idaho, winning the 2021 Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year award.[4][5][6] He received offers from Michigan, Alabama, LSU, Auburn, Utah, Oregon State, Arizona State, Nevada, Idaho, Idaho State, and Utah State.[7][8]
College career
Loveland versus Ohio State in a 45-23 victory in 2022.
Freshman season
In July 2021, Loveland committed to play college football at the University of Michigan.[9][10] He graduated and enrolled early in January 2022.[2][11] He appeared in his first game for Michigan versus Colorado State on September 3, 2022, and had two receptions for 18 yards.[12] In the 2022 season, Loveland had 16 receptions for 235 yards and two touchdowns.[13] Against Ohio State, he caught a 45-yard pass thrown by J. J. McCarthy at the beginning of the third quarter for his first collegiate touchdown.[14] He caught a touchdown the following week in the Big Ten Championship Game, helping Michigan win its second consecutive conference championship.[15]
Sophomore season
In the 2023 Season, Loveland played and started all 15 games as a sophomore for Michigan.[13] He finished the season with 45 catches, 649 receiving yards, and four receiving touchdowns.[13] He was named a first-team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches and a second-team by the media.[16] He helped Michigan finish the season 15-0, including winning the Big Ten Championship,[17]2024 Rose Bowl,[18] and the national championship.[19][20] Loveland was the leading receiver for the Wolverines in the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship, with three catches for 64 yards.[21]
Junior season
Entering his junior season, Pro Football Focus and other publications ranked Loveland as the #1 tight end in college football prior to the 2024 season.[22][23] He is considered to be a first round pick in the 2025 NFL draft.[24][25][26]