The Michigan Wolverines feature a player with one of the most unique origin stories in college football.
His name: Marlin Klein.
Klein is a huge tight end who learned the game of football playing for the Cologne Crocodiles. And that's not a team that is exactly right down the road from Ann Arbor.
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Where is Marlin Klein from?
Michigan tight end Marlin Klein is from Germany.
He grew up in the city of Cologne, and he was initially a soccer and basketball player.
Eventually, Klein picked up American football, and he joined the junior team in the Cologne Crocodiles organization.
He eventually moved to a boarding school in Georgia to play high school football, earned 3-star recruit status and committed to Michigan.
How tall is Marlin Klein?
Michigan tight end Marlin Klein is listed at 6-foot-6.
He weighs about 250 pounds.
He's definitely a big target for freshman QB Bryce Underwood.
Marlin Klein stats
This is Marlin Klein's fourth season at Michigan.
He only played in two games in 2022 and didn't catch a pass.
He played in 10 games in the national championship season and had just a single catch.
In 2024, Klein saw more action, appearing in 13 games and catching 13 passes for 108 yards.
He broke out in the 2025 season opener, catching six passes for 96 yards and a touchdown.
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