Another rising offensive lineman
Michigan has such an embarrassment of riches along the offensive line that as Jim Harbaugh has gone 10-12 deep on likely contributors, he’s afraid he may have to leave out one player who isn’t just coming along nicely, but who would be firmly in rotation if the group wasn’t rife with depth.
As Harbaugh ran down the names of those in contention for starting roles and the key backups (left tackles: Karsen Barnhart and LaDarius Henderson; left guards: Trevor Keegan and Gio El-Hadi; centers: Drake Nugent and Greg Crippen; right guards: Zak Zinter and Reece Atteberry; right tackles: Trente Jones and Myles Hinton), there was one player who he feels remiss for not including in that group.
“It kills me not to put Andrew Gentry in that category because he’s so good,” Harbaugh said. “We’re gonna have to play him at guard and tackle and find ways to get him on the field.”
That’s not even mentioning Jeff Persi, who started for the Wolverines at left tackle against Rutgers in 2022. Harbaugh mentioned him as well, but he spoke effusively about Gentry, the second-year player who was originally a four-star committed to Virginia.
A promising name at wide receiver
At the time of his commitment, Michigan football fans were ecstatic about the potential of wideout Cristian Dixon.
A speedster from West Coast powerhouse Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei, Dixon’s commitment was overshadowed by Xavier Worthy, who signed but ended up transferring to Texas — much to Wolverine fans’ chagrin. Since, Dixon all but disappeared, with names like Darrius Clemons and Karmello English dominating the discourse as potential breakout candidates.
But on Tuesday, Harbaugh says that Dixon’s willingness has put him in a good position to be a contributor in 2023.
“The other guy’s Cristian Dixon,” Harbaugh said. “Also, in my mind is somebody that’s really asserting himself right now. And it’s his availability, and he is there every day, he’s playing through. He’s taken a couple of big hits, held on to the ball. But it’s that talent to be there every single day. Best ability is availability. He’s rising.”
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