Marlin Klein

Marlin Klein
Klein with the Michigan Wolverines in 2024
No. 83 – Houston Texans
PositionTight end
Roster status
Active
Personal information
Born (2002-09-17) September 17, 2002 (age 24)
Germany
Listed height
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight
250 lb (113 kg)
Career information
High schoolRabun Gap-Nacoochee School (Rabun Gap, Georgia, U.S.)
CollegeMichigan (2022–2025)
NFL draft2026: 2nd round, 59th overall pick
Career history
Awards and highlights
Career NFL statistics as of Week 2, 2026
Receptions1
Receiving yards16
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Marlin Klein (born September 17, 2002) is a German professional American football tight end for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines, winning a national championship in 2023. Klein was selected by the Texans in the second round of the 2026 NFL draft.

Early life

Klein was born in Germany on September 17, 2002, the son of Marco Albers and Melanie Klein. He grew up in Cologne, initially playing soccer and basketball as a youth before turning to American football. He played for the junior team of the Cologne Crocodiles. With the help of Gridiron Imports Foundation, a US Registered Non-profit that helps international football players play in the United States, Klein later transferred to Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School, a boarding school in Rabun Gap, Georgia, to play high school football in the United States. He was rated as a three-star recruit and committed to play college football at the University of Michigan.

College career

In 2022, Klein enrolled at the University of Michigan and played in two games as a freshman before redshirting the season. In 2023, he played in ten games, winning the national championship with Michigan that season. He also made his first collegiate reception, finishing the year with one catch for eight yards.

Klein in the Michigan Wolverines 2024 spring game

In 2024, Klein moved into a larger role. In week three versus Arkansas State, he was Michigan’s leading receiver with three receptions for 43 yards. Klein played in all 13 games for the Wolverines, starting six times. He totaled 13 receptions for 108 yards and was a key contributor in the running game as a blocker.

In 2025, Klein opened the season as the No. 1 tight end, and in the first game against New Mexico had a career-high and team-high six receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown.

Statistics

Year Team GP Receiving
RecYdsAvgTD
2022Michigan 200–0
2023Michigan 10188.00
2024Michigan 13131088.30
2025Michigan 112424810.31
Career36383649.61

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand spanWingspan40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard splitThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jump
6 ft 6 in
(1.98 m)		248 lb
(112 kg)		32+3⁄8 in
(0.82 m)		9+1⁄4 in
(0.23 m)		6 ft 8+1⁄8 in
(2.04 m)		4.61 s1.64 s2.69 s7.42 s36.0 in
(0.91 m)		9 ft 9 in
(2.97 m)
All values from NFL Combine

Klein was selected by the Houston Texans in the second round with the 59th overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft. Klein was the highest drafted German player since Björn Werner was drafted in the first round, 24th overall by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2013 NFL draft.

References

  1. ↑ Trieu, Allen (September 23, 2020). "Trieu: Tight end Marlin Klein's international adventure winds up at Michigan". The Detroit News. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  2. ↑ Seher, Christoph (January 11, 2024). "American Football: Kölner Marlin Klein ist College-Champion mit den Michigan Wolverines". Kölnische Rundschau (in German). Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  3. ↑ Raynor, Grace (November 16, 2021). "Visit Rabun Gap-Nacoochee, the remote boarding school suddenly brimming with Power 5 prospects". The Athletic. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  4. ↑ "Michigan lands three-star tight end from Germany for 2022 class". The Detroit News. September 22, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  5. ↑ Zuke, Ryan (April 17, 2024). "Michigan budding tight end making a 'big move' this spring". MLive.com. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  6. ↑ Zuniga, Alejandro (March 27, 2024). "The fastest and strongest Michigan tight end is poised for a bigger role this fall". 247Sports.com. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  7. ↑ "Michigan v. Arkansas State (2024)". ESPN.
  8. ↑ "2024 Michigan Wolverines Stats". Sports Reference (College Football).
  9. ↑ "Bryce Underwood and Justice Haynes shine in debuts for No. 14 Michigan in 34-17 win over New Mexico". ESPN.com. August 30, 2025. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Marlin Klein Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Marlin Klein College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
  12. ↑ "PICK IS IN: TE Marlin Klein from Michigan drafted at No. 59 overall". HoustonTexans.com. April 24, 2026. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
  13. ↑ "NFL Draft: Marlin Klein becomes 2nd round pick". EuropeanLeague.football. Retrieved 29 April 2026.