As Rodney Dangerfield often quibbled, “I get no respect.” Michigan football’s offensive line perhaps can say the same.
Well, it’s not that the Wolverine O-line gets no respect, it has won back-to-back Joe Moore Awards — the only OL that has accomplished such a feat. However, many don’t necessarily see the Michigan line as the top unit in the country.
The maize and blue return four starters from three positions, while adding two who started games for Michigan a year ago, and three who started elsewhere before transferring in. Head coach Jim Harbaugh notes that he has 10 starters for five positions, which has led to a potential platoon at the tackle and center spots.
Yet, when Athlon Sports ranked the top offensive lines entering 2023, it had the Wolverines behind Georgia.
2. Michigan
The bar is set high here after the Wolverines won the Joe Moore Award for the nation’s best offensive line in each of the last two seasons. This unit has a little offseason remodeling to do, but three starters return, including guards Zak Zinter and Trevor Keegan. Also, coach Jim Harbaugh’s work in the portal ensured this group shouldn’t miss a beat. Stanford transfer Drake Nugent is slated to replace standout center Olusegun Oluwatimi and joins Zinter and Keegan to form a strong trio on the interior. The starting tackle spots are up for grabs, but Harbaugh and line coach Sherrone Moore don’t lack for options. Arizona State transfer LaDarius Henderson, Karsen Barnhart, Trente Jones, and Stanford transfer Myles Hinton are vying for two spots.
Georgia similarly lost two players along the line, both tackles. Given the Bulldogs recruiting and development, it’s not surprising Athlon has UGA at No. 1. However, considering what Michigan has done each of the last two years, the Wolverines should be considered for the top spot until unseated.
The only team with an offensive line ranked that Michigan football will face in 2023 is Penn State at No. 8. However, James Franklin has yet to field a solid OL, so it will be interesting to see if it will live up to the hype.
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