Though raised in religiously diverse Gooding County, Idaho, Colston Loveland has not disclosed his faith or ethnicity.
Colston Loveland has rapidly established himself as one of football’s most promising tight ends.
Born April 9, 2004, in Bliss, Idaho, Loveland made his mark at the University of Michigan, where he helped the Wolverines secure a national championship in 2023 while earning All-American honors in 2024.
His exceptional college performance culminated in being selected tenth overall by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft.
Loveland’s collegiate career at Michigan was nothing short of impressive. As a freshman in 2022, he recorded 16 receptions for 235 yards and two touchdowns, including a memorable 45-yard score against Ohio State.
His sophomore season saw him amass 45 catches for 649 yards and four touchdowns while starting all 15 games for the undefeated national championship team.
In his junior year, despite missing the Ohio State game due to injury, Loveland broke Michigan’s single-season record for receptions by a tight end with 56 catches, adding 582 yards and five touchdowns to his impressive resume before declaring for the NFL draft.
Colston Loveland’s Upbringing In Rural Idaho Reflects Regional Diversity
Colston Loveland grew up in rural Idaho, a state with significant religious diversity.
While Idaho has a notable Mormon population, particularly in its eastern counties, there is no definitive public information confirming Loveland’s religious affiliation.
Gooding County, where he was raised, maintains a religious diversity score of 0.847, indicating a varied faith landscape within the community.
As for his ethnicity, Loveland is likely of White descent based on demographic patterns in his hometown.
Gooding, Idaho, reports a population that is 63.1% White, and Loveland’s parents, Chad Loveland and Rachel Faulkner, have surnames with English origins.
However, Colston himself has not publicly discussed his ethnic background in interviews or public statements.
Colston Loveland Credits His Family’s Values For His Growth
Colston’s upbringing on an Idaho farm played a crucial role in shaping his character and work ethic.
His parents, Chad Loveland and Rachel Faulkner, raised him in a rural ranching household where he developed resilience through daily farm activities like herding cattle and sheep and riding horses across their family land.
Rachel Faulkner has been more visible in media coverage, sharing insights about their family’s journey.
In an interview with 247Sports, she highlighted how Michigan’s coaching staff earned their trust during recruitment:
“The entire coaching staff was welcoming, accommodating and genuine. They made us feel like Colston would be in good hands there and not just as an athlete, but as a student as well.”
247Sports
While Chad maintains a lower public profile, his influence on Colston’s development is significant.
He instilled fundamental values of discipline, humility, and hard work that have become hallmarks of Colston’s approach both on and off the field.
This strong family foundation has propelled Loveland from small-town Idaho to becoming one of football’s brightest young talents.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Colston Loveland attended Gooding High School in Idaho, where he caught 235 passes for 3,141 yards and 35 touchdowns during his high school career.
- He was a finalist for the 2024 John Mackey Award (given to the best tight end in college football), becoming only the second Michigan player ever to be a finalist for this award after Jake Butt in 2016.
- Colston’s brother, Cayden, played football at Carroll College, which is a Catholic institution.
