LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Rural Idaho isn’t a football recruiting hotbed and definitely not part of the University of Michigan’s radius. The Wolverines will expand their reach in the right circumstances, in an effort that current coach Sherrod Moore calls “mining for gold.”

That’s what sent former Michigan tight ends coach Jay Harbaugh to Gooding back in 2021. This Colston Loveland kid was something else. He was worth the long trip.

Other major programs were equally intrigued by the Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year, who posted crazy numbers as a tight end. While Michigan felt good about receiving his commitment, the school wanted to leave no doubt.

That’s why they sent in a heavy hitter to seal the deal.

Then-coach Jim Harbaugh headed to Gooding to meet Loveland in person. While Harbaugh wasn’t trying to attract attention, word of his arrival got out.

The former Chicago Bears quarterback was a popular man that weekend, but he remained unassuming and down to earth when spending time in the small town

“That’s what I love about Coach Harbaugh — he’s never too big for anything,” Loveland said in an exclusive interview with Marquee Sports Network last week after the Bears made him a first-round draft pick. “If you didn’t know who he was, he wouldn’t announce himself. … He just acts so normal and loves meeting people, loves being out and about.

“I’m telling you, like everyone knew when he was coming to town. The whole town knew. The experience was just so cool, and I appreciate him for giving me the opportunity to play at Michigan. He’s a legend, one of the best to do it.”

Harbaugh came in at night. He stayed at Loveland’s grandmother’s house. He hung out with the whole family. Then, at the end of the evening, Harbaugh had an important question.

“He’s like, ‘What time are we working out tomorrow?’ ” Loveland said. “I’m like, ‘Oh, you’re working out tomorrow?’ He’s like, ‘Yeah.’

“I think we went in there at 7:30 (a.m.). He was in his slacks — or his khakis — and his shoes doing squats with me. We did a whole workout. It was pretty cool.”

That experience helped solidify Loveland’s commitment to Michigan, despite the fact he “didn’t know a single soul” and that a kid from a town of 4,000 would play in a stadium that sits 107,000.

Loveland fit in well on the Wolverines and became a featured player posthaste. He believed the experience would prepare him for the prospect of going pro, which he formally did on April 26 when the Bears drafted him No. 10 overall.

“That’s why I went,” Loveland said in Marquee’s exclusive interview. “They were the best of the best. You play the best and most people are watching, which added some big pressure. We were fortunate enough to play in the Rose Bowl national championship game. Even Michigan State games get pretty rowdy. It was on every week.

“I know it’s a whole different level in the NFL, and every week it’s like that. But, yeah, there was no better place to be that Michigan and to have had that experience.”