Growing up on a farm in tiny Gooding, Idaho (population 3,802), shaped Colston Loveland into the person and player he is today.
After being selected by the Bears with the 10th pick in the draft, the Michigan tight end shared his story with the Chicago media via a Zoom call from his hometown.
"Coming from a place like this, very small town, blue collar, great community, great family, I was blessed," Loveland said. "My family made many sacrifices. They sacrificed a lot for me to be here, and I know that, and I appreciate that, and I want to give it all back to them eventually.
"It's been a process, and I feel like Idaho, these people—I've got 150 people with me right now, 500 more going to the country club to watch—so the support system, the people here have really molded me to be a good person: show humility, work hard, do the right things. I'm going to continue to do that and just strive."
Loveland will bring that mentality to the Bears after starring at Michigan, where he appeared in 39 games with 24 starts over three seasons and caught 117 passes for 1,466 yards and 11 touchdowns.
The 6-6, 248-pounder was named first-team All-Big Ten in 2023 when he helped the Wolverines win the national championship, recording 45 receptions for a career-high 649 yards and four TDs. Last year he established career highs with 56 catches and five touchdowns while compiling 582 yards.
During his time in Ann Arbor, Loveland became a huge fan of first-year Bears coach Ben Johnson's work as Lions offensive coordinator. The two then hit it off when Johnson attended Loveland's Pro Day.
"Just love the guy," Loveland said. "Before I even met him, just watching Detroit last year, the things they were doing, man, really smart. Knows what he's doing. Knows football. Finally being able to talk with him and meet with him and pick his brain, I'm the No. 1 fan of that guy, for sure. He's legit. He's a stud. I know he's going to put us in a great position, put Chicago in a great position to win games. I'm super excited for it."
Loveland revealed that when he met with Johnson, the coach told him that the Michigan product reminded him of Lions Pro Bowl tight end Sam LaPorta, who has caught 146 passes for 1,615 yards and 17 TDs in his first two NFL seasons in Detroit.
"They were kind of asking me who are some of my favorite tight ends, and I mentioned a couple and I threw LaPorta's name in there," Loveland said. "Shout out to him, too. Heck of a player. Coach Johnson's like, 'Yeah, you remind me a lot of him. We can do a lot of things—we did a lot of things with LaPorta.' And he's like, 'I can see you doing a lot of those things as well.'
"That was pretty cool to hear. And now seeing it all come full circle, I'm excited. I know he's great and he's going to do great for Chicago."
“I’m the No. 1 fan of that guy, for sure. He’s legit. He’s a stud. I know he’s going to put us in a great position …” Colston Loveland on Ben Johnson
Loveland is also excited to team with sixth-year tight end Cole Kmet, whom the 21-year-old described as "a stud."
"Nowadays you see teams trying to get two well-rounded tight ends that can do a lot, put defenses in a bind, so I'm super stoked to get in there and learn from him," Loveland said. "He's been doing it for a while, really good at it, so I'm excited. He can be a mentor for me; just get in there and attack it.
"Having '12' personnel, two tight ends that can do everything, can do a lot of things, that messes with the defense: 'Nickel, base, what are we going to play?' I'm super excited to get out there, meet all the guys and get rolling."
Shortly after he was drafted, Loveland received a call from second-year quarterback Caleb Williams.
Said Loveland: "He was just saying, 'Congrats, I'm excited to get you here, I'm going to be tough on you, coach Johnson's going to be tough on you, but [you're a] heck of a player, excited to get things rolling. Just let me know if you need anything, I'm here, just excited to get you here and meet face-to-face and get the ball rolling.'"
Loveland is eager to begin working with Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner at USC who was selected by the Bears with the first overall pick in last year's draft.
"I love his game, just watching him throughout college," Loveland said. "He's that man and I'm super excited. The arm talent, super smart, and just does everything the right way from what I can tell, so I'm super excited. He gave me a call a little bit ago, so I'm looking to build that bond, get with him and just help the Bears win."
