Gooding’s Colston Loveland talks love for Idaho at NFL Combine

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (KMVT/KSVT) — Idaho through and through.

That’s what Gooding’s Colston Loveland emphasized on Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine, his love for his roots.

“I love being out there (Idaho) with all the open land. All my family are out there,” Loveland told reporters. I love going to watch my cousins and be with them while they practice for rodeo. I’ll sometimes work the chute for them and help in any way I can.”

Loveland was a three-time First Team All-State selection for the Gooding Senators and was the 2022 Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year.

Throughout his three-year career with the Michigan Wolverines, he caught 117 passes for 1,466 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Loveland won a National Championship his sophomore season as Michigan beat Washington 34-13 at the start of 2024.

He led the team with three catches for 64 yards in the game.

Despite his football success, he’ll always remember Gooding and living on a farm, which shaped him into the person he is today.

“It made me tougher. It’s a small town, everyone has a good work ethic, and it’s a very blue-collar town. Made an impact on me,” Loveland noted.

When asked about his chores on the farm, Loveland joked there were some he enjoyed more than others.

“I don’t know if I necessarily liked them, but one memory I had was branding calves,” Loveland explained. “One person would flank them and hold them on the head. One would hold the back legs. We’d do that every spring for our uncle Jay. Wake up in the morning, go do that, and maybe miss a little bit of school for that, so that was always a good time.”

Loveland won’t compete at the combine as he’s recovering from shoulder surgery.

His surgeon, Dr. Neal Elattrache, sent a letter to every NFL franchise informing them that the ex-Wolverines tight end should be fully cleared to participate in training camp after undergoing shoulder surgery.

Despite not being able to compete in combine. Loveland is confident in his abilities all around, especially in the pass game.

“I’m one of the best route runners in the draft, and I truly believe that,” Loveland told the media. “I have a lot to work on throughout my whole game, but overall, I feel polished and excited to keep getting better.”

Loveland set the Michigan single-season record with 56 receptions and 582 receiving yards.

He scored five touchdowns during the 2024 season, despite missing two games due to the injury.

His 11 career touchdown catches are tied for the second-most in Michigan football history, and he’s third all-time with 117 catches and 1,466 receiving yards.

Day one of the NFL Draft is set for April 24th.

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