LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — Some 1,500 miles away from Halas Hall on Tuesday morning, Colston Loveland woke up and participated in a spring ritual back home in Gooding, Idaho.
He helped brand calves on his family farm, a job that came just two days before the Bears selected him at No. 10 overall in the NFL Draft on Thursday evening.
In sharing insight into the team's selection of the tight end Loveland, Bears general manager Ryan Poles cited his reliable hands, which helped him earn all-Big Ten honors twice in his tenure at Michigan. Loveland credited hanging wired fence on the farm for his trusty hands.
That was reflective of the upbringing of Loveland, who would work on the family farm and then head off to football practice.
“It’s just a different lifestyle up there,” Loveland said Friday after arriving at Halas Hall. “I’d say that’s what Idaho tough is. Growing up that way, it’s just different. I wouldn’t say a lot of people are built for it. But it’s a blessing being from there. I learned a lot of lessons and it’s going to take me a long way.”
When Loveland was in fifth grade, he had a choice to make between sports, as many kids often do. But in this case, Loveland chose between football and the rodeo.
When you’re as talented as Loveland is, football finds you. Former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh landed in Gooding four years ago and joined Loveland for a 7:30 a.m. workout – while wearing his customary khakis.
Michigan viewed Loveland as a key player for their championship aspirations, and he indeed helped them win the national title in the 2023 season.
“Have not spent a lot of time in Gooding,” current Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore said Friday. “There’s not much going on. But I know that there’s one of the best players to come to Michigan (who’s) from there.”
At Michigan, Loveland was a key part of the Wolverines’ breakthrough. He had 45 catches for 649 yards and four touchdowns in 15 games in 2023 and then 56 catches for 582 yards and five touchdowns in 10 games in 2024, when he battled through a shoulder injury.
Loveland underwent surgery in late January, which came with a six-month timeline for a full recovery. Loveland is expected to be ready to go when the Bears begin training camp in late July.
The Bears envision Loveland being a playmaker in new head coach Ben Johnson's offense in Chicago. During his days at Michigan, Loveland showcased what type of player he can be.
“He’s a grinder, he’s worker and it comes from his background, his foundation of his family and who they are as people,” Moore said. “He’s just a guy that he’s going to be relentless in his work ethic and he’s going to be tough, he’s going to be physical, he’s going to be everything the Bears organization really wants.”
Early Friday afternoon, Loveland walked into Halas Hall as the newest Bears player, with his family by his side.
He has been on a unique journey, one that has taken him from the family farm in Idaho to Michigan to being to a key figure for the Bears in Chicago.
“To actually get the call, yeah, that’s pretty special,” Loveland said. “It’s a blessing for sure.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.